What size dumpster for a kitchen remodel?

A 10-yard dumpster handles a standard kitchen remodel (cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall). If you're also replacing appliances or doing structural work, go with a 20-yard.

10-yard vs. 20-yard vs. 30-yard, what is the difference?

A 10-yard holds ~3 pickup truck loads (small remodel or cleanout). A 20-yard holds ~6 loads (large remodel, deck removal). A 30-yard holds ~9 loads (new construction debris, whole-house cleanout). The 40-yard is for commercial demolition.

How big of a dumpster do I need?

Estimate the debris in pickup truck loads, because one load is roughly 3 cubic yards, then match: 3 loads to a 10-yard, 6 loads to a 20-yard, 9 loads to a 30-yard. Then check the material. Concrete, dirt, brick and roofing reach the weight limit long before the volume limit, and for those you size down and take two loads instead.

How do I calculate dumpster size?

Multiply the debris length, width and height in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then add about 15 percent because debris does not pack tidily. For a demolition, calculate the material volume rather than the finished room: a 10 x 12 ft room stripped back to the studs produces far more than the 120 sq ft of floor suggests.

How much does a full dumpster weigh?

It depends on the material, which is why weight rather than volume is the usual limit. A 10-yard of household junk runs 1 to 2 tons, the same container full of roofing shingles runs 4 to 5 tons, and full of concrete it exceeds 10 tons. Most rentals include 1 to 2 tons and charge per ton above that, so heavy debris is the case where you call before you fill.

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Home / Container & Packing Fit

Dumpster Size Calculator

Describe your project and debris, and the calculator recommends the right dumpster (10, 20, 30, or 40 yard) for the job.

Trusted across thousands of fit checks · updated daily

400 questions answered

Room Preview·Visual Results·Simulations

10,000+ fit checks run·Last check: a few minutes ago

“Checked my carry-on against 3 airlines before a trip. Saved me a gate-check fee.” — Frequent flyer

Measure smart

What to measure.

Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.

01Estimate debris volume in pickup truck loads (1 pickup load ≈ 3 cubic yards)
02Identify heavy materials: concrete, roofing, and dirt have weight limits well below volume limits
03Check driveway clearance. A 20-yard dumpster is about 22 ft long × 8 ft wide

Don't make these

Common mistakes.

Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.

⚠Choosing by volume alone. A 10-yard dumpster of concrete can weigh 10+ tons, exceeding the weight limit long before it is full
⚠Renting too small. Upgrading mid-project means a second delivery fee of $100 to $200, so it is cheaper to size up from the start
⚠Placing on grass or soft ground. Dumpsters weigh 3,500 to 6,000 lbs empty and will sink, so use plywood sheets underneath

Frequently asked

Questions we keep getting.

What size dumpster for a kitchen remodel?
A 10-yard dumpster handles a standard kitchen remodel (cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall). If you're also replacing appliances or doing structural work, go with a 20-yard.
01
10-yard vs. 20-yard vs. 30-yard, what is the difference?
A 10-yard holds ~3 pickup truck loads (small remodel or cleanout). A 20-yard holds ~6 loads (large remodel, deck removal). A 30-yard holds ~9 loads (new construction debris, whole-house cleanout). The 40-yard is for commercial demolition.
02
How big of a dumpster do I need?
Estimate the debris in pickup truck loads, because one load is roughly 3 cubic yards, then match: 3 loads to a 10-yard, 6 loads to a 20-yard, 9 loads to a 30-yard. Then check the material. Concrete, dirt, brick and roofing reach the weight limit long before the volume limit, and for those you size down and take two loads instead.
03
How do I calculate dumpster size?
Multiply the debris length, width and height in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then add about 15 percent because debris does not pack tidily. For a demolition, calculate the material volume rather than the finished room: a 10 x 12 ft room stripped back to the studs produces far more than the 120 sq ft of floor suggests.
04
How much does a full dumpster weigh?
It depends on the material, which is why weight rather than volume is the usual limit. A 10-yard of household junk runs 1 to 2 tons, the same container full of roofing shingles runs 4 to 5 tons, and full of concrete it exceeds 10 tons. Most rentals include 1 to 2 tons and charge per ton above that, so heavy debris is the case where you call before you fill.
05

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All container fit checks →

Unlock stair simulation, AR visualization, and more.

Will it fit? Know before you buy.

Get a verdict in seconds — then test every angle until you’re sure.

Open the fit calculator

ItemFits

About Blog FAQ Features Pricing Work with us

Home / Container & Packing Fit

Dumpster Size Calculator

Describe your project and debris, and the calculator recommends the right dumpster (10, 20, 30, or 40 yard) for the job.

Trusted across thousands of fit checks · updated daily

400 questions answered

Room Preview·Visual Results·Simulations

10,000+ fit checks run·Last check: a few minutes ago

“Checked my carry-on against 3 airlines before a trip. Saved me a gate-check fee.” — Frequent flyer

Measure smart

What to measure.

Four numbers decide nearly every fit check. Get these right and the rest follows.

01Estimate debris volume in pickup truck loads (1 pickup load ≈ 3 cubic yards)
02Identify heavy materials: concrete, roofing, and dirt have weight limits well below volume limits
03Check driveway clearance. A 20-yard dumpster is about 22 ft long × 8 ft wide

Don't make these

Common mistakes.

Most “it didn't fit” stories trace back to one of these oversights.

⚠Choosing by volume alone. A 10-yard dumpster of concrete can weigh 10+ tons, exceeding the weight limit long before it is full
⚠Renting too small. Upgrading mid-project means a second delivery fee of $100 to $200, so it is cheaper to size up from the start
⚠Placing on grass or soft ground. Dumpsters weigh 3,500 to 6,000 lbs empty and will sink, so use plywood sheets underneath

Frequently asked

Questions we keep getting.

What size dumpster for a kitchen remodel?
A 10-yard dumpster handles a standard kitchen remodel (cabinets, countertops, flooring, drywall). If you're also replacing appliances or doing structural work, go with a 20-yard.
01
10-yard vs. 20-yard vs. 30-yard, what is the difference?
A 10-yard holds ~3 pickup truck loads (small remodel or cleanout). A 20-yard holds ~6 loads (large remodel, deck removal). A 30-yard holds ~9 loads (new construction debris, whole-house cleanout). The 40-yard is for commercial demolition.
02
How big of a dumpster do I need?
Estimate the debris in pickup truck loads, because one load is roughly 3 cubic yards, then match: 3 loads to a 10-yard, 6 loads to a 20-yard, 9 loads to a 30-yard. Then check the material. Concrete, dirt, brick and roofing reach the weight limit long before the volume limit, and for those you size down and take two loads instead.
03
How do I calculate dumpster size?
Multiply the debris length, width and height in feet and divide by 27 to get cubic yards, then add about 15 percent because debris does not pack tidily. For a demolition, calculate the material volume rather than the finished room: a 10 x 12 ft room stripped back to the studs produces far more than the 120 sq ft of floor suggests.
04
How much does a full dumpster weigh?
It depends on the material, which is why weight rather than volume is the usual limit. A 10-yard of household junk runs 1 to 2 tons, the same container full of roofing shingles runs 4 to 5 tons, and full of concrete it exceeds 10 tons. Most rentals include 1 to 2 tons and charge per ton above that, so heavy debris is the case where you call before you fill.
05

Related fit checks.

All container fit checks →

Unlock stair simulation, AR visualization, and more.

Will it fit? Know before you buy.

Get a verdict in seconds — then test every angle until you’re sure.

Open the fit calculator