Updated August 10, 2022
Dumpster rentals come in handy for countless home projects and company projects as well.
The reason roll-off dumpster rentals are so versatile is because they come in various container sizes and weight allowances, so there's an option for small, lightweight projects as well as large, heavy-weight projects.
Choosing the wrong dumpster size can cost you additional money, either from picking a size that's too small or renting a size that's too big for your needs.
Understanding the various dumpster size options, their dimensions, common weight restrictions for each dumpster size, and the type of debris/junk you're throwing out will help you choose the right size roll-off container for your project.
Determining which size dumpster is right for your particular cleanup job is important because choosing a dumpster that's too small means you have to pay for the dumpster to be dropped off and picked up twice, or overage fees that can add up quickly.
If you choose a dumpster that's too big, you'll end up paying for more dumpster than you need. (However, we always recommend airing on the side of caution and going with the bigger dumpster if you're ever on the fence between sizes.)
Roll-off dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards, with the most common sizes being 10 yarders, 20 yarders, 30 yarders, or 40 yard dumpsters.
Some dumpster rental companies offer half sizes, like 15 yard dumpsters, or mini dumpsters ranging from 2-8 yards.
In big cities, like New York City, where dumpsters need to fit into very tight spaces, dumpster rental companies might offer commercial style dumpsters that are typically 2 yards, 4 yards, 6 yards, or 8 yards.
Jump to:
- When to Choose a 10 Yard Dumpster
- When to Choose a 20 Yard Dumpster
- When to Choose a 30 Yard Dumpster
- When to Choose a 40 Yard Dumpster
These various dumpster sizes are measured in cubic yards. 1 cubic yard measures 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft, or roughly the size of a standard oven.
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10 Yard Dumpsters
A 10 yard dumpster can hold 10 cubic yards of material.
Common dimensions for a 10 yard dumpster are 12 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4 ft high, though these dimensions may vary.
10 yards of debris would be roughly 3-4 standard pick-up truck loads.
A 10 yard dumpster may be the best option for a number of projects, like:
- Small basement cleanout
- Small garage cleanout
- Deck removal
- Roofing shingle disposal
- Yard debris removal
- Small kitchen remodel
- Bath renovation
Keep reading:
- How 10 Yard Dumpsters Can Cost Less Than 3 Yard Bag Dumpsters
- Best Dumpster Sizes for Small Demolition Projects
- Bagster vs Dumpster: Buy a Dumpster Bag or Rent a Small Dumpster?
- Trash Disposal Showdown: Junk Removal vs 10 Yard Dumpsters vs Bag Dumpsters
20 Yard Dumpsters
A 20 yard dumpster holds 20 cubic yards of waste.
Its dimensions typically measure 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 4 ft high.
20 yards of debris would be roughly 6-8 standard pick-up truck loads.
A 20 yard dumpster may be the right dumpster size for...
- Large basement, garage, or attic cleanup
- Flooring and carpet removal in large homes
- Large deck removal
- Removing shingles from a medium-large home
Read more:
- How Much Weight Can a 20 Yard Dumpster Hold?
- Lower Your Cost to Rent a Dumpster
- Trailer Dumpster Sizes, Weight Limits, and Rental Costs
30 Yard Dumpsters
A 30 yard dumpster holds 30 cubic yards of waste and typically measures 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 6 ft high.
30 yards of debris would be roughly 9-12 standard pick-up truck loads.
A 30 yard dumpster may be the right choice for...
- Home addition
- New home construction
- Garage demolition
- Replacing windows or siding on a small-to-medium-sized home
40 Yard Dumpsters
A 40 yard dumpster holds 40 cubic yards of waste and commonly has dimensions of 22 ft long x 8 ft wide x 8 ft high.
40 yards of debris would be roughly 12-16 standard pick-up truck loads.
A 40 yard dumpster may be the best dumpster size for the following projects:
- Window or siding replacement on a large home
- Commercial roofing jobs
- Hoarding cleanouts
- Large business cleanouts
- Large construction
- Major home additions
- Large concrete removal project
Hometown can help you get answers to common dumpster rental question as well as find local dumpster rental companies near you.
We make it easy to browse local dumpster rental services, read customer reviews, and request quotes from multiple dumpster companies to ensure you get great services for a great price.
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