About the Dumpster Size Calculator
This dumpster size calculator estimates how much debris your project will produce, in cubic yards, and recommends the smallest standard roll-off dumpster — 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 yards — that will hold it. Either choose a common project such as a kitchen remodel or garage cleanout, or measure the pile yourself.
Homeowners, landlords and contractors use it before calling a hauler, because ordering too small means paying for a second haul and ordering too big wastes money. It also estimates the load’s weight from the type of debris, since haulers include only a set tonnage and charge overweight fees for heavy materials like concrete, dirt and shingles.
Project volumes are typical planning figures for a medium-size job; weights use the U.S. EPA’s 2016 volume-to-weight conversion factors for loose material (household junk, which the EPA table does not list, uses a typical hauler figure of about 275 lb per yd³). Weight allowances and dumpster dimensions vary by hauler and region, so confirm both before booking.
How to use the dumpster size calculator
- 1Choose whether to estimate from a project type or a measured pile.
- 2Pick the project and its size, or enter the pile’s length, width and height.
- 3Add a bulking allowance if you measured material before demolition.
- 4Select the main type of debris to estimate the weight.
- 5Book the recommended size and confirm the weight allowance with your hauler.
Formula and method
A cubic yard is 3 × 3 × 3 = 27 cubic feet, so a measured pile’s length × width × height in feet is divided by 27. Material measured in place (an intact deck or slab) expands when broken up, which the bulking allowance adds. In project mode a typical debris volume for a medium-size job is scaled by 0.6 for small or 1.5 for large projects.
The recommendation is the smallest standard roll-off size (10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 yd³) whose capacity is at least your volume. Weight multiplies volume by the EPA’s loose-material conversion factor for your debris type — for example about 484 lb per yd³ for mixed construction debris and 860 lb per yd³ for concrete rubble — and is compared with typical included tonnage.
- L, W, H
- Pile length, width and height in feet
- 27
- Cubic feet per cubic yard
- lb per yd³
- Weight of one cubic yard of loose debris (EPA factor)
Worked examples
Medium kitchen remodel
A typical kitchen remodel produces about 12 cubic yards of debris, which fits a 15 yard dumpster at 80% full. At the EPA’s 484 lb per yd³ for mixed construction debris, that is about 5,800 lb (2.9 tons) — likely above a 15 yard’s usual allowance.
Measured 12 × 8 × 4 ft junk pile
The pile is 12 × 8 × 4 = 384 cu ft, or 384 ÷ 27 = 14.2 cubic yards. A 15 yard dumpster holds it at about 95% full. Household junk weighs around 275 lb per yd³, so about 3,900 lb (just under 2 tons).
Large roof tear-off
A large tear-off is 7 × 1.5 = 10.5 cubic yards of shingles, which fits a 15 yard dumpster. But shingles are heavy at about 731 lb per yd³, giving roughly 7,700 lb (3.8 tons) — so weight, not volume, is the limit to discuss with your hauler.
Frequently asked questions
What size dumpster do I need?+
Small bathroom jobs and garage cleanouts usually fit a 10 yard dumpster, kitchen remodels and larger cleanouts a 15–20 yard, roof tear-offs and whole-house cleanouts a 20–30 yard, and new construction or major demolition a 30–40 yard.
How big is a 20 yard dumpster?+
A 20 yard roll-off is typically about 22 ft long, 8 ft wide and 4 ft high and holds 20 cubic yards — roughly 10 pickup-truck loads. Exact dimensions vary by hauler.
How much weight can a dumpster hold?+
Rental prices usually include a set tonnage, commonly about 2 tons for a 10 yard up to about 5 tons for a 40 yard, with a per-ton fee above that. Heavy debris such as concrete or dirt often must go in smaller dumpsters.
How do I calculate cubic yards of debris?+
Measure the pile’s length, width and height in feet, multiply them together and divide by 27. For example, a 12 × 8 × 4 ft pile is 384 cu ft, or about 14.2 cubic yards.
Is it better to get a bigger dumpster?+
If your estimate is close to a size limit, going one size up usually costs less than a second haul. You cannot load debris above the top rim, so leave some margin for bulky items.