Dumpster sizes compared
| Size | Typical footprint × height | Pickup loads | Common projects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 14 × 7.5 ft × 3.5 ft | ~3 | Garage cleanout, small bath, concrete or dirt |
| 15 yard | 14 × 7.5 ft × 4.5 ft | ~4–5 | One-room remodel, flooring, deck removal |
| 20 yard | 22 × 7.5 ft × 4.5 ft | ~6 | Kitchen remodel, roof tear-off, several rooms |
| 30 yard | 22 × 7.5 ft × 6 ft | ~9 | Whole-home cleanout, addition, full gut |
| 40 yard | 22 × 7.5 ft × 8 ft | ~12 | New construction, commercial demo |
Dimensions are typical and vary slightly between containers. "Pickup loads" assumes a standard full-size truck bed holds about 2.5–3 cubic yards.
Step 1: Estimate volume
One cubic yard is roughly the size of a washing machine. Picture your debris piled in a pickup bed and count the loads. Then multiply by three to get cubic yards. People almost always underestimate. Furniture, cabinets and boxes take up more space than you think once they're stacked with gaps.
Step 2: Check the weight
Each rental includes a weight allowance. Heavy debris uses that up long before the container looks full:
- Very heavy: concrete, brick, block, dirt, rock, decomposed granite, concrete roof tile. Use a 10 yard and follow the fill line. See heavy debris.
- Heavy: asphalt shingles, plaster, wet green waste, tile with a mortar bed
- Light and bulky: furniture, cabinets, lumber, drywall, packaging, palm fronds
Step 3: Match your project
Cleanouts
One-car garage: 10 yard. Packed two-car garage: 15 yard. Apartment move-out: 15–20 yard. Whole house or estate: 30 yard. More in cleanout dumpsters.
Remodels
Bathroom: 10–15 yard. Kitchen: 20 yard. Kitchen plus other rooms, or a full gut: 30 yard. See construction and remodeling.
Roofing
Size depends on squares, layers and material. A single-layer shingle roof on a typical single-story home often fits a 20 yard. Tile removal is a heavy-debris job. See roofing dumpsters.
Landscaping
Green waste: 15–20 yard. Turf with soil, rock or pavers: 10 yard. See yard waste.
When in doubt, size up (usually)
A second haul costs more than the jump to the next size. The exception is heavy debris, where a bigger container doesn't help because you'll hit the weight limit anyway. For heavy loads, use a smaller container, and plan a swap if needed.
Still not sure?Describe your project on the phone. We'll recommend a size in about two minutes.
(602) 595-7860Common questions
What is the most popular dumpster size?
The 20 yard. It handles kitchen remodels, most roof tear-offs and multi-room cleanouts, and still fits a standard driveway.
Is it better to get a bigger dumpster?
For light, bulky debris, usually yes, because a second haul costs more than the next size up. For heavy debris like concrete or dirt, no. Weight limits cap how much you can load regardless of container size.