How to Estimate the Weight of a Dumpster Load to Avoid Overage Fees

full blue dumpster being driven away on back of truck

Updated July 11, 2025

When renting a dumpster, it’s easy to focus on the size you need and forget about one crucial factor: weight limits.

Most dumpster rentals come with a set weight allowance, and going over it can lead to unexpected overage fees that quickly add up. Whether you’re tackling a home cleanout, renovation, or construction project, having a good estimate of your dumpster load’s weight can help you stay within budget and avoid surprises on your final bill.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to estimate the weight of different types of debris, how much weight common dumpster sizes can hold, and tips to avoid exceeding your limit.

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Estimated weight of different debris to avoid dumpster rental overage fees

What Is an Overage Fee?

An overage charge is an additional fee that is added to the final bill if the weight of a dumpster load exceeds its weight allowance. Overage fees vary by company but typically range from $50 per ton to $100+ per ton.

Let's say you contact a dumpster company and they quote you $400 to rent a 20 yard dumpster with an included 2-ton (4,000 lb) weight allowance. The dumpster rental company states there is a $50 per ton charge for going over your 2-ton weight limit. After filling the dumpster and having it hauled away, the dumpster rental company weighs the load at the landfill and finds it is 1,000 lbs over the weight allowance. In this scenario, you will incur a $50 additional charge on your bill, so your total bill is now $450.

Note that the overage doesn’t have to be a full 2,000 lbs (1 ton) over the weight allowance in order to be charged the full amount ($50 in this example). Many dumpster rental companies charge overage fees this way, while others offer prorated overage fees.

Common Weight Allowances by Dumpster Size:

As previously mentioned, weight allowances vary by dumpster rental provider. Reach out to them directly to get the most accurate and up-to-date cost info.

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How Do I Calculate the Weight of Debris or Junk?

The weight of dumpster loads can vary a great deal. For instance, a 10 yard dumpster filled to the top with cabinets and linoleum flooring will weigh far less than a 10 yard dumpster filled with stone or masonry debris.

The estimated weights in the chart below are per cubic yard.

It may be helpful to keep in mind that one cubic yard measures 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft in size, which is roughly the same dimensions as a standard kitchen stove.

Average Weight of Common Debris

 

Material

 

 

Pounds Per Cubic Yard

 

Notes

Burned debris/Ash

800-1,000
1,500-1,800
2,300

Loose/dry
Wet for dust suppression
Wet mixed with soil

Concrete
Asphalt

4,050
3,960

 

Wood, un-compacted

400

Multiply x2 if compacted

Metals, un-compacted

600

Ex. Appliances, metal siding

Earth/Dirt

2,100
3,000

Loose/dry
Excavated/wet

Gravel or crushed stone

2,600

20% more if wet

Standard red clay bricks

3,400

 

Asphalt shingles
Slate shingles

2,500
9,500

1,000 sq ft (10 squares, 30 bundles)

General household junk

300-350
400-800

Un-compacted
Compacted

Yard waste

670
400
500
1,500
1,350

Glass clippings
Leaves
Brush
Unfinished compost
Finished compost

Drywall

340
420

1/2-inch thick drywall
5/8-inch thick drywall

 

It's important to remember that volume does not necessarily dictate the weight of a load. For example, a 10 yard dumpster filled to the top with household furniture will likely weigh less than a 10 yard dumpster filled one-fifth of the way full of concrete debris. Wet debris weighs significantly more than dry wastes, which is why we advise covering the dumpster with a tarp during rainstorms to avoid saturating the load.

Estimating the weight of your junk or debris can be particularly tricky if multiple types of waste are disposed of in the dumpster.

Using this formula to help keep a running estimate of what enters the dumpster is a useful strategy to keep the load under the weight allowance:

(Weight of 1 yard of a particular waste) x (Number of square yards) = Total weight

Make sure to calculate for each type of waste and then add each together to get the total load weight. Knowing what and approximately how much debris is put in the dumpster—along with using the chart above—can help you estimate a load's weight and be sure you stay within your weight limit.

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How Much Does Waste in a Dumpster Weigh?

dumpster with household junk

Household Trash & Junk Removal

Examples: Clothing, furniture, toys, boxes, non-construction-related clutter

Average Weight per Cubic Yard: 100-250 lbs

Household trash is relatively lightweight. Even if you fill a large dumpster, you likely won’t go over the weight limit unless you're disposing of heavier items like books, old appliances, or solid wood furniture.

Take a look at the table below to get an idea for how much a dumpster will weigh when it's full of household junk.

 

Estimated Weight of Household Junk by Dumpster Size

Dumpster Size Volume (yd³) Weight Range
10 Yard 10 0.5-1.25 tons
15 Yard 15 0.75-1.9 tons
20 Yard 20 1-2.5 tons
30 Yard 30 1.5-3.75 tons
40 Yard 40 2-5 tons

 

Construction & Demolition Debris

Examples: Drywall, wood, tile, flooring, concrete, general remodeling waste

Average Weight per Cubic Yard: 250-1,000+ lbs (heavily depends on materials)

Construction waste can get heavy fast. Materials like tile, concrete, bricks, or plaster are dense and can add up quickly even if the dumpster isn’t full. If you are tossing heavy debris, a smaller dumpster is typically recommended so you avoid exceeding truck hauling limits.

In the table below, you can see how much a dumpster will weigh when it's full of construction or demolition debris.

 

Estimated Weight of C&D Debris by Dumpster Size

Dumpster Size Volume (yd³) Weight Range
10 Yard 10 1.25-5 tons
15 Yard 15 1.9-7.5 tons
20 Yard 20 2.5-10 tons
30 Yard 30 3.75-15 tons
40 Yard 40 5-20 tons

 

Roofing Shingles

Examples: Asphalt shingles (most common), felt, underlayment

Average Weight per Square (100 sq ft): 250-300 lbs

Roughly 3-4 bundles of shingles = 1 square

Roofing shingles are surprisingly heavy. The weight adds up quickly, especially with multiple layers being torn off. Some rental companies may restrict shingle disposal to smaller sizes to avoid overweight loads.

Take a look at the table below to see how much a dumpster will weigh when it's full of roofing shingles.

 

Estimated Weight of Roofing Debris by Dumpster Size

Dumpster Size Volume (yd³) Weight Range
10 Yard 10 3-3.75 tons
15 Yard 15 4.5-5.25 tons
20 Yard 20 6-7.5 tons
30 Yard 30 9-10.5 tons
40 Yard 40 12-13.5 tons

 

What If I'm Still Unsure How Much My Junk or Debris Will Weigh?

Use the dumpster rental company’s expertise to your advantage. Experienced dumpster rental providers are the best source for getting a rough estimate of how much a dumpster load will weigh based on the type of debris and size of the project. They also understand local landfill fees, permit requirements, and of course, the cost of overage charges. They are the experts; use their expertise to get a better understanding of which size dumpster to choose and how high you can fill the container without incurring overage fees.

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How to Find the Best Dumpster Rentals

woman online shopping on phone

The best way to get the best dumpster deal in your area is by renting from a local provider. Nationwide haulers tend to have less flexibility when it comes to pricing and available containers. Plus, small local companies are typically owner-operated, which tends to mean better customer service.

Finding reputable dumpster companies is easy with Hometown. You can locate locally-owned providers and request free quotes to compare pricing. The more quotes you get, the more likely you are to find the right size dumpster at the best price.


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