Dumpster size calculator
Pick your project and the calculator returns a size, the reason, and the constraint that decides it — because whether your job is limited by weight or by volume matters more than its square footage.
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This calculator needs JavaScript. The reference table below covers the same ground.
What size dumpster do I need? There is no formula, and any site that gives you one is guessing. The calculator maps your project to the container that fits its binding constraint — the tonnage cap for dense debris, the volume for bulky debris — and shows you which one it used.
The formula
There is no formula, and any site that gives you one is guessing. The calculator maps your project to the container that fits its binding constraint — the tonnage cap for dense debris, the volume for bulky debris — and shows you which one it used.
Assumptions
- Recommendations assume a level load at or below the container rim, which is a legal requirement for transport rather than a preference
- Where a project sits between two sizes we recommend the larger one, because a second delivery costs more than the size upgrade
- Included tonnage varies by hauler, so the size is right and the weight allowance still needs confirming on the phone
Reference table
| Project | Size | Constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Roof tear-off | 20 yd³ | Weight-limited |
| Kitchen remodel | 20 yd³ | Volume-limited |
| Bathroom remodel | 10 yd³ | Weight-limited |
| Estate cleanout | 30 yd³ | Volume-limited |
| Deck removal | 15 yd³ | Volume-limited |
| Basement flood cleanup | 20 yd³ | Weight-limited |
| Garage cleanout | 15 yd³ | Limited by what is not allowed |
| Moving cleanout | 15 yd³ | Volume-limited |
| Concrete and patio removal | 10 yd³ | Weight-limited |
| Whole-house gut renovation | 30 yd³ | Limited by both |
| Yard and landscaping cleanup | 15 yd³ | Limited by material separation |