Note: Heavy materials like concrete or dirt require specialized heavy-duty dumpsters regardless of volume.
How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size
Choosing the correct dumpster size is critical for both your project timeline and your budget. If you choose a container that is too small, you'll face additional trip charges for multiple hauls. If you choose one that is too large, you are paying for unused space.
Our Dumpster Calculator uses the dimensions of your debris pile to estimate the total cubic yardage. Because waste is rarely packed perfectly, we include a "fluff factor" (packing efficiency) based on the material type you select.
Common Dumpster Sizes and Their Uses
Size
Typical Dimensions
Best For…
10 Yard
10′ L x 8′ W x 3.5′ H
Small basement cleanouts, small deck removals, or heavy materials.
15 Yard
16′ L x 8′ W x 4′ H
Small kitchen remodels, attic cleanouts, or roofing shingles.
20 Yard
22′ L x 8′ W x 4.5′ H
Whole home flooring removal, large bedroom remodels.
30 Yard
22′ L x 8′ W x 6′ H
Major home additions, estate cleanouts, or garage demolitions.
40 Yard
22′ L x 8′ W x 8′ H
Commercial roof tear-offs, window replacements for entire homes.
Estimation Examples
Example 1: A pile of old furniture measuring 10ft long, 10ft wide, and 4ft high equals roughly 14.8 cubic yards of space. Since it won't pack perfectly, a 20-yard dumpster is the safest bet.
Example 2: 50 square feet of concrete (approx 4 inches thick) is very heavy. Even though it only takes up about 0.6 cubic yards, it weighs nearly 1,500 lbs. Always verify weight limits for heavy materials.
Pro Tips for Loading Your Dumpster
To get the most out of your rental, always load the largest, flattest items first (like plywood or tabletops) at the bottom. Break down cardboard boxes and disassemble furniture when possible. Avoid leaving large air gaps between items. Most importantly, never fill the debris above the "Fill Line" or top rim of the dumpster, as this prevents the hauler from safely tarping the load for transport.
function calculateDumpster() {
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pileLength').value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pileWidth').value);
var height = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pileHeight').value);
var fluffFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('materialType').value);
if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(height) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || height <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all dimensions.");
return;
}
// Math: (L * W * H) / 27 = Cubic Yards
var cubicFeet = length * width * height;
var rawCubicYards = cubicFeet / 27;
var estimatedYards = rawCubicYards * fluffFactor;
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('dumpsterResult');
var volumeOutput = document.getElementById('volumeOutput');
var recOutput = document.getElementById('recommendationOutput');
var weightWarning = document.getElementById('weightWarning');
volumeOutput.innerHTML = estimatedYards.toFixed(2) + " Cubic Yards";
var recommendation = "";
if (estimatedYards <= 10) {
recommendation = "Recommended Size: 10-Yard Dumpster";
} else if (estimatedYards <= 15) {
recommendation = "Recommended Size: 15-Yard Dumpster";
} else if (estimatedYards <= 20) {
recommendation = "Recommended Size: 20-Yard Dumpster";
} else if (estimatedYards <= 30) {
recommendation = "Recommended Size: 30-Yard Dumpster";
} else if (estimatedYards <= 40) {
recommendation = "Recommended Size: 40-Yard Dumpster";
} else {
recommendation = "Recommended Size: Multiple 40-Yard Dumpsters or a Construction Roll-Off Service";
}
recOutput.innerHTML = recommendation;
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
// Show warning for heavy materials
if (fluffFactor === 1.1) {
weightWarning.style.display = 'block';
} else {
weightWarning.style.display = 'none';
}
// Smooth scroll to result
resultDiv.scrollIntoView({ behavior: 'smooth', block: 'nearest' });
}