How to Choose the Right Dumpster Size for Your Project

Dumpsters are measured in cubic yards. One cubic yard is a cube 3 feet on each side, or 27 cubic feet. A 10 yard dumpster holds 270 cubic feet of debris when it's loaded level with the top.

Start with a pickup-truck comparison

A full-size pickup bed holds roughly 2 cubic yards when it's loaded level. If you can picture how many truckloads your project would take, multiply by two to get a rough size in yards.

• 1–3 truckloads: 6 yard
• About 4 truckloads: 8 yard
• About 5 truckloads: 10 yard
• About 6 truckloads: 12 yard
• 7–8 truckloads: 15 yard
• About 10 truckloads: 20 yard
• About 15 truckloads: 30 yard
• About 20 truckloads: 40 yard

Weight matters as much as space

Heavy materials like brick, tile, and dirt can reach a container's weight limit long before it looks full. (We don't accept concrete, shingles, or tires.) For heavy debris, a smaller container or a dump trailer is often the better choice. Always describe heavy materials when you request a quote.

When in doubt, size up slightly for bulky items

Furniture, mattresses, and cabinets don't pack tightly. For cleanouts full of bulky items, the next size up usually costs less than a second haul.

Still unsure? Try our dumpster size calculator, or call us and describe your project.