Dumpster Size Calculator
Enter the length, width and height of the pile of debris and what it is made of. The calculator gives the cubic yards, the dumpster size to rent, the estimated weight and how full it will be.
- Dumpster size
- Cubic yards
- Weight
Loose debris takes about 20% more space than a neat pile, so that is added.
Cubic yards = length × width × height in feet ÷ 27. A pile 12 by 8 by 4 ft is 384 cu ft, about 14 cu yd, or 17 with bulking. That fits a 20 yard dumpster. As renovation debris it weighs about 3.4 tons.
Dumpster size chart
Roll-off sizes. Search for a size.
| Size (yd) | Holds about | Typical job | Pickup loads |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 cu yd | Small clean-out, concrete or soil | 3 |
| 15 | 15 cu yd | Kitchen or bath remodel | 4 to 5 |
| 20 | 20 cu yd | Roof, flooring, one room | 6 |
| 30 | 30 cu yd | New build, big renovation | 9 |
| 40 | 40 cu yd | Demolition, whole house clean-out | 12 |
Cubic yards.
Debris and dumpster
Household junk. Slide the debris.
The bin fills as the debris grows.
How to size a dumpster
Pile to yards. Step through it.
Measure
The pile.
Book a size up if you are unsure. A second haul costs more.
10, 20 or 30 yard
Dumpster sizes. Compare them.
Small.
Popular.
Large.
Heavy debris such as concrete is limited to small bins by weight, not space.
Before you rent
Dumpster checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Lay boards under the bin to protect the driveway.
What you get
Dumpster sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Yards.
Cubic yards.
Tons.
Per cent.
Feet.
Most rentals include 2 to 4 tons, with a fee for each ton over.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
What size dumpster do I need?
Measure the pile, divide cubic feet by twenty seven and add a fifth.
What size dumpster for a kitchen remodel?
Usually a fifteen or twenty yard dumpster.
How much does a twenty yard dumpster hold?
About twenty cubic yards, roughly six pickup truck loads.
How heavy is a dumpster load?
Household junk is about two hundred and fifty pounds a cubic yard, concrete about two thousand.
Can I put concrete in any dumpster?
Heavy debris usually goes in a ten yard bin only.
Can I fill a dumpster to the top?
Fill no higher than the walls.
Do I need a permit for a dumpster?
Often, if it sits on the street rather than your driveway.
One bin, one haul
Measure your pile and rent the right dumpster the first time.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.