Updated August 13, 2025
A 10 yard dumpster is a popular choice for small cleanout projects, home renovations, and yard debris removal. Measuring approximately 12 feet long x 7 feet wide x 3.5 feet tall and offering 10 cubic yards of volume (about 270 cubic feet), 10 yard dumpsters can hold roughly 3-5 pickup truck loads of debris. But while it holds up to 10 cubic yards of material, the weight of that material is just as important to consider.
10 yard containers include 2,000-4,000 lbs, or 1-2 tons, on average in the rental price, but your dumpster's included weight allowance may be more or less than this average.
Each dumpster rental includes a certain amount of weight, which is why it's important to keep an eye on the weight you load into your 10 yard dumpster, especially if you're loading heavy debris, like concrete, dirt, or roofing shingles. If you load more than your included weight into the dumpster, you'll be charged overage fees in addition to your base rental price.
This guide explains the typical 10 yard dumpster weight capacity, how to estimate your debris weight, and tips to avoid overage fees.
Jump to:
- Average Included Weight for 10 Yard Dumpsters
- What Fits in a 10 Yard Dumpster
- How Dumpster Pricing Works with Weight
- How to Estimate Your Debris Weight
- How Much a 10 Yard Dumpster Weighs
- FAQs About 10 Yard Dumpster Weight
- Find Local 10 Yard Dumpster Services
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Average Included Weight for 10 Yard Dumpsters
The typical weight allowance for a 10 yard dumpster is between 1 to 2 tons (2,000-4,000 pounds). This is standard for household junk, yard waste, and light construction debris. (Note: Each company includes a different amount of weight for their 10 yard dumpsters. Some companies may include more or less than this weight in their base price.)
For heavy debris, like concrete, dirt, or bricks, specialized 10 yard dumpsters can handle up to 8 to 10 tons (16,000-20,000 pounds), but these are usually only available in select service areas and require special arrangements.
| State | City | Price | Weight Included | Overage Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | Phoenix | $345 | 1 ton | $80 per ton |
| California | Los Angeles | $750 | 2 tons | $125 per ton |
| California | Placentia | $775 | 5 tons | $90 per ton |
| Illinois | Chicago | $475 | 3 tons | $85 per ton |
| Kansas | Kansas City | $280 | 3 tons | $50 per ton |
| Michigan | Detroit | $389 | 5 tons | $39 per ton |
| Michigan | Grand Rapids | $340 | 1 ton | $70 per ton |
| Missouri | St. Louis | $380 | 2 tons | $75 per ton |
| New Jersey | Paterson | $410 | 1 ton | $120 per ton |
| New York | Long Island | $450 | 1.5 tons | $125 per ton |
| Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | $399 | 1 ton | $99 per ton |
| Tennessee | Nashville | $350 | 2 tons | $100 per ton |
| Utah | Salt Lake City | $385 | 3 tons | $45 per ton |
What Fits in a 10 Yard Dumpster?
A 10 yard dumpster is ideal for small to medium-sized projects. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what typically fits based on debris type or project:
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Household Junk: Perfect for decluttering a garage, basement, or attic. You can fit old furniture (sofas, chairs), boxes of miscellaneous items, small appliances, and general household trash. Expect this load to weigh 0.5-1 ton on average.
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Roofing Shingles: A 10 yard dumpster can hold about 50-70 bundles of asphalt shingles, which equates to a roof tear-off of roughly 1,500-2,000 square feet. Shingle loads typically weigh 2 to 3 tons on average, depending on the type and layers.
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Yard Waste: Ideal for moderate landscaping projects, you can dispose of tree branches, bushes, leaves, and dirt. Green waste and light dirt loads will likely stay under 2 tons, but heavy dirt or sod can increase weight quickly.
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Small Remodeling Projects: Remodeling a bathroom, small kitchen, or a single room often produces 1.5 to 2 tons of waste, including drywall, cabinetry, flooring, tiles, and countertops.
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Concrete, Brick, or Dirt Loads: While a 10 yard dumpster can handle heavy materials, you’ll need to load cautiously. Only fill it about halfway with dense debris like concrete or bricks to avoid exceeding weight limits. Expect up to 5 cubic yards of concrete per load (approximately 10 tons).
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Event or Community Cleanups: Great for local events, fundraisers, or neighborhood cleanups, you can toss bags of trash, decorations, cardboard, and light debris. These loads are typically lightweight and stay well within a 1.5 to 2-ton range.
How Dumpster Pricing Works with Weight
Dumpster rental pricing is typically structured as a base rate that includes a set rental period and an included weight allowance. For a 10 yard dumpster, this allowance is often between 1 to 2 tons of debris. If you stay within this weight, the base rental fee covers the entire cost of the dumpster service.
However, if your load exceeds the included weight allowance, you'll incur additional charges known as "overage fees." These fees are calculated per ton over the limit and can range from $75 to $100 or more per ton, depending on your location and service provider.
Example: A standard 10 yard dumpster rental might cost $350, which includes a rental period of 7 to 10 days and up to 2 tons of debris. If your debris weighs 3 tons, you’ll be charged an overage fee for the additional ton, which could add another $75 to $100 to your bill.
Tips to Avoid Weight Overages
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Know Your Materials: Be aware of your debris, roughly how much it will weigh, and load cautiously to stay within your 10 yarder's included weight.
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Don’t Overfill: Most dumpsters have a fill line that indicates the highest point you can load your debris. For general household junk and trash, this is typically towards the top. For heavy debris, it's often lower so as not to exceed the dumpster's weight limit.
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Ask the Experts: Dumpster providers are pros at estimating debris weight and helping customers choose the right dumpster size not just for their debris' volume but also its weight.
Find the best dumpster prices near you
Request availability and pricing from dumpster
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How to Estimate Your Debris Weight
Estimating weight can be tricky, but here is the average weight for the most common debris:
| Debris Type | Average Weight |
|---|---|
| General household junk | ~300-500 lbs per cubic yard |
| Yard waste | ~400-800 lbs per cubic yard |
| Drywall | ~500-1,000 lbs per cubic yard (.25-.5 tons) |
| Roofing shingles | ~250-350 lbs per square (100 sq ft) |
| Concrete and dirt | ~2,000-2,500 lbs per cubic yard (1-1.25 tons) |
Start by estimating the volume of your debris, then multiply by the approximate weight per cubic yard to get an idea of how much your debris weighs and ensure you’re within your dumpster's included weight allowance.
Example:
Sarah is cleaning out her garage and attic of old furniture, boxes, and some broken appliances. She has roughly 8 cubic yards of junk and wants to know if a 10 yard dumpster is the right dumpster for her project. Eight cubic yards of general household junk and trash will weigh 2,400-4,000 lbs on average, or 1.2-2 tons. A 10 yard dumpster with a 2-ton weight allowance would be a good option for this project, but a 10 yarder with a 1-ton weight allowance would likely lead to overage fees. So, even if the 2-ton limit 10 yarder is $50 more than the 1-ton limit 10 yarder, it would likely end up saving you money in the long run.
How Much a 10 Yard Dumpster Weighs
The weight of the dumpster itself isn't important, but rather how much the dumpster weighs when it's full or half full.
The weight of a full 10 yard dumpster depends on the type of material you’re tossing, but on average, a filled 10 yard dumpster weighs between 1 to 4 tons (2,000 to 8,000 pounds). That wide range comes down to what you're throwing out.
Here’s a breakdown of common materials and how much they weigh when loaded into a 10 yard dumpster:
| Debris Type | Average Weight When Half Full | Average Weight When Full |
|---|---|---|
| Household junk and trash | 0.25-0.5 tons | 0.5-1 ton |
| Yard waste | 1-2 tons | 2-4 tons |
| Drywall | 1.25-2.5 tons | 2.5-5 tons |
| Roofing shingles | 0.6-2.5 tons | 1.25-5 tons |
| Concrete and dirt | 5-6.25 tons | 10-12.5 tons |
FAQs About 10 Yard Dumpster Weight
How do I know if I’m over my dumpster's weight allowance?
You won’t know the exact weight of your debris inside the dumpster until it's picked up and weighed at the landfill. However, if you’re disposing of heavy items like roofing, concrete, or dirt, it’s safer to assume you’ll be near the heavy debris weight limit.
Can I throw concrete in a 10 yard dumpster?
Yes, but some companies charge different rates for heavy debris dumpsters, or require you limit how much you fill the dumpster. Concrete is extremely dense, which is why many providers have special 10 yard dumpsters for heavy debris rated up to 10 tons.
What happens if I exceed the dumpster’s weight allowance?
You’ll likely face overage fees, typically charged per ton. Pick up could also be delayed if the load is unsafe, and you'd be required to remove items from your dumpster until it's safe to haul.
Find Local 10 Yard Dumpster Services
Finding a reputable dumpster rental company near you with Hometown is easy. You can find local dumpster services and get transparent pricing so you know exactly how much a company charges for their 10 yard dumpster as well as how much weight is included in their base price.
When looking at dumpster prices, start by asking the right questions: Is a 10 yard dumpster the right size for my project? What debris is allowed? What does each company's price include? Knowing these answers will ensure you have a great dumpster experience.
Using a trusted platform like Hometown makes it easy to compare local providers by location, services, and availability. You can read verified customer reviews to gauge reliability and overall satisfaction, compare pricing and availability of multiple companies, and book securely with the click of a button.
Comparing multiple dumpster quotes from different local companies lets you compare key details like:
- Dumpster sizes available
- Weight limits and overage fees
- Rental periods and delivery timelines
- Total cost (including potential fees)
Doing a bit of research upfront ensures you get the best value and work with a professional, dependable dumpster provider.
