If it’s your first time renting a dumpster, knowing which size to choose can be confusing. “Is a dumpster that’s 40 yard long really going to show up at my house,” is a common question we receive from first-time renters. The short answer is no, dumpsters are measured in cubic yards, so a 40-yard dumpster actually can hold 40 cubic yards of volume. A cubic yard is a three-dimensional cube of space, that’s 3 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 3 feet high. Here are some quick pieces of information you can use to be better informed when you secure your dumpster rental.

How to Pick the Perfect Dumpster Size

Getting the right-sized dumpster is the key to saving money on your rental. If your dumpster is too small, you might have to order another one, and if it is too large, you likely could have saved some money by choosing a smaller one. Additionally, it’s not a good idea to pile your debris higher than the rim of the dumpster. The roll off truck legally cannot haul your debris with refuse over the lid of the bin, as it can fall out and create hazardous road conditions. If they arrive and they cannot pull the dumpster, they’ll likely leave and you’ll be charged a “dry run fee,” as they will have to return to pick up the dumpster again. The driver may assist you by removing some of the debris, but you might be charged an “overfilling fee” for this extra service, and you will have a pile of debris you still need to take care of. It’s much simpler to choose the right size rental from the beginning. 

Choosing the right size dumpster is as much an art as it is a science, but one way to estimate how much debris you have is to envision how many pickup truck beds it would fill up. Then, simply look at the dumpster rental size sections below to see which size rental approximately matches your needs.

Dumpster Rental Sizes

Here are some standard-size dumpster rentals, their dimensions, and some common uses of each.

10 Yard Dumpsters

12 ft Long x 8 ft. Wide x 4 ft High

A 10-yard dumpster is great for small residential jobs such as single room cleanouts,  small roofing jobs, or small remodeling jobs. This container fits inside most driveways so it’s especially useful for residential jobs. A 10-yard dumpster holds around 4 pickup truck loads worth of debris.

20 Yard Dumpsters

20 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 4 ft. High

20 Yard dumpsters are twice the size of 10 yard ones, yet usually still fit in your driveway. These rentals are great for larger residential jobs like window replacements, siding jobs, and whole-home cleanouts. These rentals hold about 8 pickup truck loads worth of debris.

30 Yard Dumpsters

22 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 6 ft. High

30 Yard dumpsters are generally slightly longer than 20 yard dumpsters, and they are also two feet taller. These rentals usually have higher weight limits than 20 yard rentals and are great for construction projects like demolition jobs, new home builds, and roofing projects. They hold approximately 12 pickup truck loads worth of material.

40 Yard Dumpsters

22 ft. Long x 8 ft. Wide x 8 ft. High

These are the largest dumpster sizes available, featuring 8 ft. high walls and doors that allow you to walk in your debris. These rentals are perfect for large construction jobs that generate lots of debris. They also have the highest weight limits. You can expect to pack about 14 pickup truck loads worth of material into these containers.