Skip Size Calculator
Choose whether to size by bin bags or by measuring the pile, enter the amount and the waste type. The calculator gives the skip size, how full it will be and what you cannot put in.
- Skip size
- Waste volume
- Space used
Measure a pile in metres: length, width and height.
About 12 bin bags fill a cubic yard. 40 bags of garden and household waste is about 3.3 yd³, so a 4 yard midi skip fits. Heavy rubble and soil must go in an 8 yard skip or smaller, filled level.
Skip size chart
UK skips. Search for a skip.
| Skip | Size (yd³) | Bin bags | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mini | 2 | 20 to 30 | Garden tidy, small clear out |
| Midi | 4 | 35 to 45 | Bathroom refit |
| Builder's | 6 | 55 to 65 | Kitchen refit |
| Builder's | 8 | 70 to 80 | House clear, building waste |
| Maxi | 12 | 110 to 130 | Light bulky waste |
| Maxi | 16 | 150 to 170 | Large clear outs |
| Roll-on roll-off | 20 | 200 or more | Commercial |
| Roll-on roll-off | 40 | 400 or more | Demolition |
Cubic yards.
Bags and skip
Light waste. Slide the bin bags.
The skip fills up.
How to choose a skip
Waste to skip. Step through it.
Waste
Bags or pile.
Put flat items in first and break up bulky ones.
Mini, builder's or maxi
Skip sizes. Compare them.
2 yd³.
8 yd³.
12 to 16 yd³.
The 8 yard builder's skip is the most popular size in the UK.
Before you hire
Skip checks. Tick each item.
Tick each item as you go.
Do not fill above the sides or it cannot be lifted.
What you get
Skip sizing. Each tile explains one result.
Size.
yd³.
Per cent.
Limits.
Items.
Plasterboard, tyres, fridges and paint usually need separate disposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
No question matches that search.
What size skip do I need?
Count your bin bags and divide by about twelve for cubic yards.
How many bags fit in a skip?
About twenty five in a mini skip and eighty in a builder's skip.
What size skip for a kitchen refit?
Usually a six or eight yard builder's skip.
Can I put soil in a big skip?
Heavy waste usually goes in skips up to eight yards only.
Do I need a skip permit?
Yes, if the skip goes on a public road.
What cannot go in a skip?
Usually plasterboard, tyres, fridges, paint, batteries and asbestos.
How big is an eight yard skip?
About three point seven by one point seven metres and one point two metres deep.
One skip, no overflow
Choose the right skip for your waste and clear the job in one go.
More size calculators
Each one has its own calculator, worked examples and answers to common questions.