Dimensions and weight limits by size
| Size | WastePlace L x W x H | Sourgum L x W x H | Dumpsters.com weight limit | Sourgum weight limit | Pickup loads (Dumpsters.com) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 14' x 7.5' x 3.5' | 13' x 8' x 3.5' | 1-2 tons | 2-3 tons | 3 |
| 15 yard | 16' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 16' x 8' x 3.5' | 1-2 tons | 2-3 tons | 4-5 |
| 20 yard | 22' x 7.5' x 4.5' | 22' x 8' x 3.5' | 2-3 tons | 3-4 tons | 6 |
| 30 yard | 22' x 7.5' x 6' | 22' x 8' x 5' | 2-4 tons | 4-5 tons | 9 |
| 40 yard | 22' x 7.5' x 8' | 22' x 8' x 7' | 4-5 tons | 5-6 tons | 12 |
Which size for which project
| Size | Typical use (per Dumpsters.com) |
|---|---|
| 10 yard | Heavy debris, light renovation |
| 15 yard | Medium cleanouts, kitchen remodels |
| 20 yard | Whole-house cleanouts, home renovation |
| 30 yard | Estate cleanouts, major construction |
| 40 yard | Commercial renovations |
Not sure? The dumpster size calculator estimates volume and tons from your project.
Weight, not volume, is usually the real limit
A 20-yard full of shingles weighs far more than a 20-yard full of furniture. US EPA conversion factors: composition roofing ~731 lbs per loose cubic yard, concrete ~860, dirt and sand ~929, mixed C&D ~417, loose household waste 250-300. Ten yards of dirt is about 4.6 tons - more than most 20-yard allowances - which is why haulers often limit dirt and concrete to 10-yard containers.
Debris weight per cubic yard (US EPA)
| Material (loose) | Lbs / cu yd |
|---|---|
| Mixed construction & demolition (C&D) | 417 |
| C&D bulk | 484 |
| Composition / asphalt roofing | 731 |
| Gypsum board (clean or demo) | 467 |
| Dimensional lumber / painted or treated wood | 169 |
| Engineered wood | 268 |
| Concrete (large or small, with or without rebar) | 860 |
| Asphalt paving | 773 |
| Dirt and sand | 929 |
| Rock / gravel | 999 |
| Mixed yard waste, uncompacted | 250 |
Which size do you need?
Pick the project, enter its size, and get a container size plus an estimated weight. Weights use US EPA volume-to-weight factors for loose debris.
Estimate only. Heavy debris (dirt, concrete, shingles) usually hits the weight limit before the container is full, and many haulers restrict heavy loads to 10-yard containers. Confirm with your hauler.
Operators: embed this calculator on your site
Run a roll-off company? Put the dumpster size calculator on your own website so customers can work it out before they call. Free: enter your details and the copy-paste embed code appears right here. It works in WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or plain HTML. (Branded, book-it-now ordering is what RollOffDesk online ordering is being built to do.)
Software for roll-off operators
Frequently asked questions
What are the dimensions of a 20-yard dumpster?
Typically about 22 ft long, 7.5-8 ft wide and 3.5-4.5 ft high. Dumpsters.com lists 22 x 7.5 x 4.5 ft; Sourgum lists 22 x 8 x 3.5 ft.
What are the dimensions of a 30-yard dumpster?
About 22 ft long, 7.5-8 ft wide and 5-6 ft high (WastePlace: 22 x 7.5 x 6 ft; Sourgum: 22 x 8 x 5 ft).
What is the weight limit on a dumpster?
Set by the hauler. Published allowances: 10-yard 1-3 tons, 20-yard 2-4 tons, 30-yard 2-5 tons, 40-yard 4-6 tons, depending on the company.
What size dumpster is most common?
The 20-yard is the usual residential choice for whole-house cleanouts and renovations.
How many pickup-truck loads fit in a dumpster?
Dumpsters.com: about 3 (10-yard), 4-5 (15), 6 (20), 9 (30) and 12 (40).
Sources
- WastePlace - Roll-off dumpster sizes guide (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Sourgum - Dumpster sizes (accessed 2026-09-23)
- Dumpsters.com - Roll-off dumpster sizes (accessed 2026-09-23)
- US EPA - Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors for Solid Waste (April 2016) (accessed 2026-09-23)