How to Choose a Dumpster Size
Pick by weight first, volume second. Heavy debris goes in a small box; bulky, light debris goes in a large one.
“Yard” means cubic yards of volume — not how long the box is. A 20 yard dumpster holds 20 cubic yards of debris; it is not 20 feet long.
| Size | Roughly equals | Typical job |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 3–4 pickup loads | One room, small roof, heavy debris |
| 15 yard | 4–6 pickup loads | Kitchen remodel, flooring |
| 20 yard | 6–8 pickup loads | Roof replacement, full cleanout |
| 30 yard | 9–12 pickup loads | New build, major addition |
| 40 yard | 12–16 pickup loads | Commercial, large demolition |
10 Yard Dumpster
3–4 pickup loads
- What fits
- One-room remodel debris, a single-layer roof tear-off up to about 1,500 sq ft, concrete or dirt (heavy loads must use the small box).
- Typical projects
- Bathroom remodel, garage cleanout, small roof, deck removal.
- Weight limit
- Typically 1–2 tons included; overage runs about $55–$85 per extra ton.
- Utah County price range
- ~$260–$395 for 7 days
15 Yard Dumpster
4–6 pickup loads
- What fits
- Mid-size remodel debris, flooring, cabinets, and mixed household junk.
- Typical projects
- Kitchen remodel, flooring replacement, medium cleanout.
- Weight limit
- Typically 2 tons included; overage about $55–$85 per ton.
- Utah County price range
- ~$300–$450 for 7 days
20 Yard Dumpster
6–8 pickup loads
- What fits
- Whole-house cleanouts, 2,000–3,000 sq ft roof tear-offs, large remodels, landscaping debris.
- Typical projects
- Roof replacement, full-home cleanout, basement finish.
- Weight limit
- Typically 2–3 tons included; overage about $55–$85 per ton.
- Utah County price range
- ~$330–$510 for 7 days
30 Yard Dumpster
9–12 pickup loads
- What fits
- New construction framing waste, whole-home demolition debris, estate cleanouts.
- Typical projects
- New build, major addition, commercial remodel.
- Weight limit
- Typically 3–4 tons included; overage about $55–$85 per ton.
- Utah County price range
- ~$415–$615 for 7 days
40 Yard Dumpster
12–16 pickup loads
- What fits
- High-volume, low-weight debris on commercial jobs and large demolitions.
- Typical projects
- Commercial construction, multi-unit cleanout, large demolition.
- Weight limit
- Typically 4–5 tons included; overage about $55–$85 per ton.
- Utah County price range
- ~$495–$720 for 7 days
Common questions
What does “yard” mean on a dumpster?
It is cubic yards of volume, not the length of the container. A 20 yard dumpster holds 20 cubic yards of debris and is usually about 22 feet long.
What size do I need for a roof tear-off?
Most single-layer tear-offs up to 25 squares fit a 10 or 20 yard box. Shingles are heavy, so haulers size for weight rather than volume.
Can I put concrete or dirt in any size?
No. Heavy material almost always goes in a 10 yard box with a dedicated clean-fill rate. Loading it into a large box will exceed the weight limit.
What if I pick the wrong size?
Overfilled boxes cannot be hauled legally. It is cheaper to go one size up than to pay for a second haul or a return trip.