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◆ Size Guide

What Size Dumpster Do I Need?

Dumpsters are measured in cubic yards. The trick is matching the volume to your project so you neither overpay for empty space nor run out of room. Use the picker below, or compare all five sizes.

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Tell us the project — we'll point you to the right size, then to live local pricing.

All Sizes

Dumpster Sizes Compared

Dimensions and capacity are consistent nationwide — pricing varies by city, which you'll find on each city page.

10-yard
12' Ă— 8' Ă— 3.5' · 10 cu yd
Small cleanouts, single room, concrete
Holds ~3 pickup-truck loads
15-yard
16' Ă— 8' Ă— 4' · 15 cu yd
Flooring, small remodels, deck removal
Holds ~4 pickup-truck loads
20-yard
22' Ă— 8' Ă— 4.5' · 20 cu yd
Renovations, large cleanouts, roofing
Holds ~6 pickup-truck loads · Most popular
30-yard
22' Ă— 8' Ă— 6' · 30 cu yd
Major renovation, new construction
Holds ~9 pickup-truck loads
40-yard
22' Ă— 8' Ă— 8' · 40 cu yd
Commercial, large demolition
Holds ~12 pickup-truck loads
Questions

Dumpster Size FAQ

The 20-yard is the most-rented size. It holds about 6 pickup-truck loads and fits most home renovations, large cleanouts, and roofing jobs while still fitting in a standard driveway.
For a typical residential reroof (single layer, ~2,500–3,000 sq ft of shingles), a 20-yard dumpster is usually right. Roofing debris is heavy, so confirm the weight allowance with your hauler before booking.
Most 10–20 yard dumpsters fit comfortably in a standard driveway (they share the same 8-foot width and run 12–22 feet long). Leave roughly 60 feet of clearance so the delivery truck can drop and lift it. Placing a dumpster on the street usually requires a permit.
You either pay for a second haul or get charged overage fees for exceeding the weight limit. When you are between two sizes, sizing up is almost always cheaper than ordering twice.

The single most common mistake is renting too small. Debris volume is deceptive — a single room's worth of drywall, flooring, and trim adds up faster than people expect, and construction waste like concrete or roofing shingles hits weight limits before it fills the box. When you're genuinely between two sizes, the larger one is almost always cheaper than the alternative: paying a second delivery and haul-away fee because the first dumpster filled up.

Ready to see what it costs where you are? Browse dumpster rental prices by city for real local ranges by size.