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Dumpster Sizes: Dimensions, Capacity & Prices

Roll-off dumpsters come in 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 cubic-yard sizes. Here’s how big each one really is, how much it holds by volume and by weight, and what it typically costs, with sources.

Dumpster size chart

SizeLengthWidthHeightPickup loadsIncluded weightTypical priceBest for
10 yd12–14 ft8 ft3.5 ft31–3 t$250–$586Bathroom remodels, small cleanouts, a single room of flooring
15 yd16 ft—4.5 ft—2–3 t$306–$609Kitchen remodels, garage cleanouts, small deck removal
20 yd22 ft8 ft4–4.5 ft61.5–4 t$275–$679Whole-house cleanouts, larger remodels, flooring and roofing tear-offs
30 yd22 ft8 ft6 ft92.15–5 t$300–$809Major renovations, new construction, large estate cleanouts
40 yd22 ft8 ft8 ft122.75–6 t$350–$906Commercial jobs, demolition of light structures, very large cleanouts

Dimensions vary between haulers; ranges come from HomeGuide and Custom Truck One Source. Weight allowances and prices are the ranges we found across Fixr, HomeGuide, Thumbtack and Dumpsters.com.

What the sizes look like

The 20, 30 and 40-yard containers share the same 22-ft footprint. The bigger ones are simply taller. That matters for loading: a 4-ft wall is easy to throw over, while an 8-ft wall usually means walking debris in through the rear door.

10-yard

6 ft 10 yd 12–14 ft long 3.5 ft
About 12–14 ft long and 3.5 ft high, drawn to scale next to a 6-ft person.

15-yard

6 ft 15 yd 16 ft long 4.5 ft
About 16 ft long and 4.5 ft high, drawn to scale next to a 6-ft person.

20-yard

6 ft 20 yd 22 ft long 4–4.5 ft
About 22 ft long and 4–4.5 ft high, drawn to scale next to a 6-ft person.

30-yard

6 ft 30 yd 22 ft long 6 ft
About 22 ft long and 6 ft high, drawn to scale next to a 6-ft person.

40-yard

6 ft 40 yd 22 ft long 8 ft
About 22 ft long and 8 ft high, drawn to scale next to a 6-ft person.

How to choose

  1. Estimate volume with the size calculator and pick a size you’ll fill to about 85%.
  2. Check weight with the weight calculator. Heavy debris can exceed a big container’s allowance long before it’s full.
  3. Check space. You need the container’s length plus room for the truck to back in and tilt its bed.
  4. Price it with the rental cost calculator, then compare quotes.
Methodology

How we calculate

Every number in the calculator comes from these steps and the data below. The page runs the same numbers you see here.

  1. Dimensions are the ranges published by HomeGuide and Custom Truck One Source.
  2. Pickup-load equivalents are HomeGuide’s.
  3. Included weight ranges span the lowest and highest allowances we found for each size (Fixr, HomeGuide, Thumbtack).
  4. Typical price ranges run from the lowest published price (Fixr or Dumpsters.com) to Dumpsters.com’s October 2026 average.

Assumptions and limits

  • Every hauler’s containers and allowances differ slightly; confirm before booking.
  • HomeGuide’s figures date from 2023, so we use them for dimensions and loads, not prices.

Sources

We opened and checked every source below in October 2026.

Last reviewed: October 2026 · Full methodology

Answers

Dumpster size FAQ

What are the standard dumpster sizes?

Roll-off dumpsters are usually 10, 15, 20, 30 or 40 cubic yards. Some companies also offer 12-yard containers and small 2–8 yard bins.

What are the dimensions of a 20-yard dumpster?

About 22 ft long, 8 ft wide and 4–4.5 ft high, based on the dimensions published by HomeGuide and Custom Truck One Source.

What’s the difference between a 30 and 40-yard dumpster?

Both are about 22 ft long; the 40-yard is taller (about 8 ft versus 6 ft). It holds more volume but often has a weight allowance only slightly higher.

What is the most popular dumpster size?

The 20-yard. It’s big enough for most home renovation and cleanout jobs, and its low walls make it easy to load.