Dumpster Conversions

How much can a dumpster fit? Sizing Your Dumpster

A Conversion Guide to Dumpster Sizes

While many home and business owners understand the need for a roll-off dumpster as part of their cleanup, construction, or other miscellaneous projects, determining the right size roll off to rent may be hard to know at glance. Even when knowing the dimensions of a dumpster it can be difficult figuring out how that translates into real-world uses. To help solve that thorny math equation, we’ve put together this conversion guide to dumpster sizes.

If the size of your waste isn’t easily measured, you might have better luck visualizing how many wheelbarrow loads it would comprise. Use this guide by converting loads of your typical garbage can, pickup truck, dump truck, or wheelbarrow into standard dumpster dimensions. By the end, you should be able to estimate a bit more accurately just how much space you’ll need for your junk.

Real-World Comparison Charts

We have created five comparison tables of the most commonly used items found around the home or workplace. These are:

Brute Trash Cans
Wheelbarrows
Pickup Trucks
Dump Trucks
Item Fit Chart

Need more help estimating the size you’ll need? Check out our dumpster weight calculator.

1) Brute Trash Cans

Brute Trash cans are used around homes, businesses, and offices. They’re relied upon to handle recycled material, waste, or just about anything else. If you’ve made use of these types of containers in the past, you probably have a good handle on just how many of them it will take to clean up a particular mess. If you are interested in estimating your dumpster dimensions based on brute trash cans, make sure you know the size can that you have. Then start figuring out just how much space you’ll need to accommodate all your garbage. Consult the chart below to determine the dumpster you’ll need.

Brute Trash Cans	10 Gallon Can	20 Gallon Can	32 Gallon Can	44 Gallon Can	55 Gallon Can
10 Yard Dumpster	173 loads	86 loads	54 loads	39 loads	31 loads
15 Yard Dumpster	260 loads	130 loads	81 loads	59 loads	47 loads
20 Yard Dumpster	346 loads	172 loads	108 loads	78 loads	62 loads
30 Yard Dumpster	519 loads	258 loads	162 loads	117 loads	93 loads
40 Yard Dumpster	692 loads	344 loads	216 loads	156 loads	124 loads

2) Wheelbarrows

A wheelbarrow is a common tool for gardening and yard work. Wheelbarrows come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and they make it quick and convenient to move lawn refuse and rubbish. Check the dimensions of your wheelbarrow and then make use of the chart below.

Wheelbarrows	3 cu. Feet	4 cu. Feet	5 cu. Feet	6 cu. Feet	7 cu. Feet
10 Yard Dumpster	90 loads	68 loads	54 loads	45 loads	39 loads
15 Yard Dumpster	135 loads	101 loads	81 loads	68 loads	58 loads
20 Yard Dumpster	180 loads	135 loads	108 loads	90 loads	77 loads
30 Yard Dumpster	270 loads	203 loads	162 loads	135 loads	116 loads
40 Yard Dumpster	360 loads	270 loads	216 loads	180 loads	154 loads

3) Pickup Trucks

Pickup trucks are a godsend when it comes to handling hauling and moving. If you work in construction or landscaping, you likely rely on a pickup. All you need is knowledge of the size of your truck bed; the conversion chart below will handle the rest.

Pickup Trucks	5 Foot Bed	6 Foot Bed	8 Foot Bed
10 Yard Dumpster	6 loads	5 loads	4 loads
15 Yard Dumpster	9 loads	8 loads	6 loads
20 Yard Dumpster	12 loads	10 loads	8 loads
30 Yard Dumpster	18 loads	15 loads	12 loads
40 Yard Dumpster	25 loads	20 loads	16 loads

4) Dump Trucks

Of course, most DIY projects don’t call for use of a dump truck, but if you’re dealing with a truly large project and can envision your refuse in terms of a dump truckload, then you’re in luck, thanks to the use of our conversion chart below.

Dump Trucks	Dump Truck Loads
10 Yard Dumpster	1
15 Yard Dumpster	1.5
20 Yard Dumpster	2
30 Yard Dumpster	3
40 Yard Dumpster	4

5) Oversized Item Fit Chart

For any oversized items (like lumber, siding, or furniture), here’s an overview of the maximum interior dimensions you’ll have available based on dumpster size.

Item Fit Chart	Maximum Width	Maximum Length	Maximum Height
10 Yard Dumpster	8’	10’	4’
15 Yard Dumpster	8’	15’	4’
20 Yard Dumpster	8’	20’	4.5’
30 Yard Dumpster	8’	20’	6’
40 Yard Dumpster	8’	20’	8’