How to Estimate the Right Dumpster Size for Your Project

10 yd • 15 yd • 20 yd • 30 yd • 40 yd • Volume Calculator • Project Guide

One Size Does Not Fit All

Cubic feet = 1 cubic yard

3-5

Pickup truck loads = 10 yards

20%

Overage savings with right size

Cost of second rental

📦 A garage cleanout, a kitchen renovation, and a roofing tear-off each produce vastly different volumes and types of debris.

Renting a dumpster that's too small means paying for a second rental. Renting one that's too large means paying for unused space. This practical, visual guide helps homeowners and contractors accurately estimate the right dumpster size for their specific project—saving money, time, and unnecessary trips.

Common Dumpster Sizes & What Fits

10-Yard Dumpster

12' L x 8' W x 4' H

$300 – $450

✅ Single-room cleanout
✅ Basement/attic clutter
✅ Small deck demolition
✅ 3-5 pickup truck loads

📏 Small projects

15-Yard Dumpster

14' L x 8' W x 5' H

$350 – $500

✅ Garage cleanout
✅ Shed demolition
✅ Flooring removal
✅ 5-7 pickup truck loads

🏠 Standard home projects

20-Yard Dumpster

22' L x 8' W x 4.5' H

$400 – $600

✅ Kitchen remodel
✅ Whole-home cleanout
✅ Roof tear-off (single layer)
✅ 7-10 pickup truck loads

🔄 Most popular size

30-Yard Dumpster

22' L x 8' W x 6' H

$500 – $750

✅ New construction
✅ Major renovation
✅ Large addition tear-off
✅ 12-15 pickup truck loads

🏗️ Large projects

40-Yard Dumpster

22' L x 8' W x 8' H

$600 – $900

✅ Commercial demolition
✅ Multi-unit cleanouts
✅ Large roofing projects
✅ 18-20 pickup truck loads

🏭 Commercial scale

📏 Visual Guide: Pickup Truck Comparison

10-Yard Dumpster

🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛

≈ 4 pickup truck loads

15-Yard Dumpster

🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛

≈ 6 pickup truck loads

20-Yard Dumpster

🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛 🚛

≈ 8 pickup truck loads

Standard pickup truck: 1.5 – 2.5 cubic yards capacity (level load). Use this as your baseline estimate.

🧮 Quick Volume Calculator

📐

Measure in Feet

Length × Width × Height = Cubic Feet

÷ 27

= Cubic Yards

🛋️

Furniture Estimate

Sofa: 15-25 cu ft
Mattress: 20-30 cu ft
Dresser: 25-40 cu ft

🏗️

Debris Density

Light: furniture, wood
Medium: mixed C&D
Heavy: concrete, dirt

Example calculation: 10 ft x 12 ft x 4 ft pile = 480 cu ft ÷ 27 = 17.8 yards → Round up to 20-yard dumpster.

Project Match: Find Your Size

🔧

Garage Cleanout

2-car garage, shelving, boxes, tools

10-15 Yards

Typical: 10-12 ft x 20 ft x 4 ft

🍳

Kitchen Remodel

Cabinets, countertops, flooring, appliances

15-20 Yards

Includes disposal of old cabinets

🏠

Roof Tear-Off

Single layer asphalt shingles, underlayment

20-30 Yards

1,500-2,000 sq ft roof ≈ 20 yards

🏚️

Full Home Renovation

Drywall, studs, flooring, fixtures

30-40 Yards

1,500+ sq ft home

⚠️ Common Sizing Mistakes

❌ Underestimating volume

A "small" garage cleanout often fills 10-15 yards. Second rental doubles your cost.

❌ Ignoring weight limits

Concrete, dirt, and roofing are heavy. 10 yards of concrete = 20 tons (over typical limit).

❌ Overfilling

Debris must be level with top of dumpster. Overfilled = not picked up.

❌ Space constraints

30-yard dumpster requires 22 ft x 8 ft footprint. Measure before ordering.

Overweight charges: Most dumpster rentals include 1-2 tons. Exceeding weight limit costs $50-100 per additional ton.

📋 Quick Reference Card

10 Yard

Attic, basement, small deck

15 Yard

Garage, shed, flooring

20 Yard

Kitchen, whole-home cleanout, roof

30 Yard

Major renovation, addition

40 Yard

Commercial, large demolition

Still Unsure? Get Expert Guidance

Many dumpster and junk removal companies offer free on-site estimates. They can assess your debris volume and recommend the right size—often saving you money compared to guessing.

Hot tub Removal, GMB Github Repositary

Pro tip: When in doubt, size up. The cost difference between 15 and 20 yards is often less than $50–$100—far cheaper than a second rental.