Dumpster Sizes: Which One Do You Need?
10, 15, 20, 30 and 40-yard roll-offs, each with 7 days included. Answer three questions and get a size, or compare them side by side.
Which dumpster size do I need?
Most homeowners need a 10 or 15-yard dumpster for one room, a garage or a heavy load of concrete or dirt, and a 20-yard for a kitchen remodel, a roof of about 25 squares or a whole-house cleanout. Contractors building or adding on usually need the 30-yard, and major demolition or commercial jobs the 40-yard.
How the picker decides
- Heavy debris: 10-yard for small amounts, 15-yard for more. These are the only sizes allowed for concrete, dirt and brick, filled halfway.
- Cleanouts: 10-yard for one room, 15-yard for a garage, 20-yard for a whole house.
- Remodels: 10-yard for a bathroom, 20-yard for a kitchen, 30-yard for a whole-house or addition.
- Roofs: 15-yard up to about 20 squares, 20-yard up to about 25, 30-yard beyond that or for two layers (one layer, 80-lb bundles).
- New construction: 20-yard for small jobs, 30-yard for most homes, 40-yard for large builds.
- Demolition or commercial: 30-yard for small jobs, 40-yard for most.
How big is each dumpster size?
The five Hayes Bros roll-off dumpsters run from 12 to 22 feet long and 3.5 to 8 feet high. The 10 to 30-yard include 2 to 4 tons with 7 days, and the 40-yard holds 5 to 6 tons. The 20, 30 and 40-yard share a 22-foot length; the walls get taller.
| Size | Outside dimensions | Pickup loads | Included weight | Rental | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10-yard | 12 ft L × 8 ft W × 3.5 ft H | about 3 to 5 | 2 tons (4,000 lb) | 7 days | Concrete, dirt or brick (half full), a small bathroom remodel, a one-room cleanout |
| 15-yard | 16 ft L × 7.5 ft W × 4.5 ft H | about 5 to 7 | 2.5 tons (5,000 lb) | 7 days | Garage cleanouts, small roof replacements, flooring or deck removal |
| 20-yard | 22 ft L × 8 ft W × 4 ft H | about 7 to 10 | 3 tons (6,000 lb) | 7 days | Whole-house decluttering, kitchen remodels, most single-layer roofs |
| 30-yard | 22 ft L × 8 ft W × 6 ft H | about 10 to 15 | 4 tons (8,000 lb) | 7 days | New construction, home additions, large remodels and big cleanouts |
| 40-yard | 22 ft L × 7.5 ft W × 8 ft H | about 12 to 16 | Holds 5–6 tons; included tons on your quote | 7 days | Major demolition, new construction and large commercial projects |
Pickup loads assume an 8-ft truck bed loaded level, about 2 to 3 cubic yards each. Weight over the included tons is billed at $75 per ton, by the exact pound. How weight is billed.
Still between two sizes? We'll size it with you on the phone.
Call now(432) 271-7500What size dumpster do I need for my project?
Match the dumpster to the project and the debris weight. A bathroom fits a 10-yard, a two-car garage a 15-yard, a kitchen or a 25-square roof a 20-yard, and new construction a 30-yard. Concrete and dirt go only in the 10 or 15-yard.
| Project | Typical size | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bathroom remodel | 10-yard | Tile and fixtures are heavy but small in volume |
| Garage cleanout (2-car) | 15-yard | Bulky but light; 5 to 7 pickup loads |
| Kitchen remodel | 20-yard | Cabinets and drywall take volume |
| Roof, one layer, up to ~25 squares | 20-yard | About 240 lb per square at 80-lb bundles |
| Whole-house cleanout | 20 or 30-yard | Depends on furniture and garage contents |
| New home or addition | 30-yard | Framing and packaging waste is bulky |
| Major demolition or commercial job | 40-yard | 40 cubic yards; holds 5 to 6 tons |
| Concrete patio or driveway | 10 or 15-yard | Heavy; half-full limit |
| Dirt or caliche | 10 or 15-yard | Heavy; half-full limit |
Typical fits, not guarantees. Bundle weights and debris mix change the answer.
Is it better to go one size up?
When unsure, one size up is usually cheaper overall. A dumpster that fills early needs a swap, priced as a new rental. A slightly larger dumpster costs only the difference in base price. The exception is heavy debris: concrete and dirt stay in the 10 or 15-yard at half full.
More guides: how weight is billed · what a dumpster costs · how to load it to fit more
Straight answers
Dumpster size questions
What is the most common dumpster size?
The 20-yard. It fits most kitchen remodels, single-layer roofs up to about 25 squares, and whole-house cleanouts, and it includes 3 tons.
What does 'yard' mean in a dumpster size?
Cubic yards of space. A 20-yard dumpster holds 20 cubic yards, about 7 to 10 pickup-truck loads. One cubic yard is a 3 × 3 × 3 ft cube.
What size dumpster do I need for concrete?
A 10 or 15-yard, filled no higher than halfway. Concrete weighs about 2 tons per solid cubic yard, so larger boxes would be too heavy to haul.
Can I change sizes after I book?
Any time before the truck is dispatched. Call and we will switch the size and confirm the new included weight.
One call. Done.
Book your dumpster today
Tell us the project and ZIP. We'll confirm the size, the all-in price and your delivery day in one call.
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