30 Yard Dumpster: Size, Weight Limit & Cost
A 30-yard roll-off is about 22 ft long, 8 ft wide and 6 ft high and holds about 9 full-size pickup loads (HomeGuide). Major renovations, new construction, large estate cleanouts are typical jobs for it.
Will my project fit a 30-yard?
Check volume and weight against a 30-yard in one go.
How big is a 30-yard dumpster?
30 cubic yards is 810 cubic feet. Planned at 85% full, so nothing rides above the rim, a 30-yard takes about 26 cubic yards of debris.
Before you step up to a 30-yard
A 30-yard has the same 22-ft footprint as a 20-yard; the extra 10 cubic yards come from height. Its walls are about 6 ft, above most people’s heads, so you’ll mostly load it by walking debris in through the rear door rather than tossing it over the side. It holds about 9 pickup loads, three more than a 20-yard.
The weight allowance doesn’t grow as fast as the box
The allowances we found for a 30-yard run 2.15–5 tons. Filled to 85% (25.5 cubic yards) with mixed renovation debris at 417–484 lb per cubic yard, it would weigh about 5.3–6.2 tons, past even the top 5-ton allowance. The same box of household junk comes to 3.2–3.8 tons, and of lumber only about 2.2 tons. A 30-yard pays off on bulky, light material: furniture, framing, cabinets, yard debris.
Price per yard
At Dumpsters.com’s October 2026 averages, a 30-yard costs $809, $130 more than a 20-yard for 50% more space, or about $27 per cubic yard. The 40-yard adds another 10 yards for $97. Between sizes, the step up is cheap at these averages; just check the weight first, because the allowance doesn’t grow in proportion.
30-yard: space or weight, which runs out first?
| Material | EPA lb per cu yd | Weight at 85% full | Volume that hits 2.15 t | What limits you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed renovation / construction debris | 417–484 | 5.3–6.2 t | 8.9 cu yd | weight runs out first |
| Household junk & furniture (mixed) | 250–300 | 3.2–3.8 t | 14.3 cu yd | weight may run out first |
| Lumber & wood (deck boards, framing) | 169 | 2.2 t | 25.4 cu yd | weight may run out first |
| Engineered wood (cabinets, particleboard) | 268 | 3.4 t | 16.0 cu yd | weight may run out first |
| Branches & stumps | 127 | 1.6 t | 30.0 cu yd | volume runs out first |
| Scrap metal (mixed) | 143–225 | 1.8–2.9 t | 19.1 cu yd | weight may run out first |
What does a 30-yard dumpster cost?
| Source | 30-yard price |
|---|---|
| Dumpsters.com (Oct 2026) | $450–$1,460 (avg $809) |
| Fixr (Jan 2025) | $300–$750 |
| Thumbtack (Mar 2026) | $401 avg |
| Range we use | $300–$809 |
Price it with your own rental length, weight and overage rate in the dumpster rental cost calculator.
Compared with the next sizes
| Size | Length × height | Pickup loads | Included weight | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 yd | 22 × 4–4.5 ft | 6 | 1.5–4 t | $275–$679 |
| 30 yd | 22 × 6 ft | 9 | 2.15–5 t | $300–$809 |
| 40 yd | 22 × 8 ft | 12 | 2.75–6 t | $350–$906 |
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.
- Usable volume = 30 × 0.85 = 25.5 cubic yards.
- Weight at that fill = 25.5 × the EPA factor in the table ÷ 2,000 for tons.
- Volume that reaches 2.15 t = 2.15 × 2,000 ÷ the heaviest EPA factor for the material, capped at 30.
The full list of EPA factors is in the weight calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- Ask for the exact container size and included tons for a 30-yard before you book; they differ by company.
- EPA factors describe loose debris; wet or packed loads weigh more.
Sources
We opened and checked every source below in October 2026.
- Custom Truck One Source — Roll-off dumpsters: which size is right for you?
- Dumpsters.com — Dumpster rental prices (updated October 2026)
- U.S. EPA — Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (April 2016)
- Fixr — Dumpster rental cost (updated Jan 31, 2025)
- HomeGuide — Dumpster rental prices (Apr 5, 2023)
- Thumbtack — How much does it cost to rent a dumpster? (updated Mar 31, 2026)
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Full methodology
30 yard dumpster FAQ
How big is a 30 yard dumpster?
About 22 ft long, 8 ft wide and 6 ft high, per Custom Truck One Source and HomeGuide. Exact dimensions vary by hauler.
How much does a 30 yard dumpster cost?
Our range is $300–$809 for a typical rental. Dumpsters.com lists $450–$1,460 (avg $809). Thumbtack’s average is $401.
How much weight can a 30 yard dumpster hold?
The included allowances we found run 2.15–5 tons. Anything over is usually billed at $40–$100 per ton.
What is the difference between a 20 and 30 yard dumpster?
Both are about 22 ft long. The 30-yard is taller (6 ft against 4–4.5 ft), holds about 9 pickup loads instead of 6, and averages $809 at Dumpsters.com against $679.
Is a 30 yard dumpster good for a whole-house cleanout?
Often, because household junk is light: a 85%-full 30-yard of it weighs about 3.2–3.8 tons. Renovation debris with plaster, tile or drywall gets heavy fast, so check the included tons.