How Much Is A Cubic Yard?

Home | How To Calculate Cubic Yards

All dumpster rentals are measured in cubic yards

If you haven't heard of a cubic yard, don't worry.  Keep reading.  Most people are familiar with a square foot, which is calculated using length and width of an area or object.  A cubic foot is calculated using one other measurement - height (or depth).  A cubic yard is calculated the same way.

To give you an idea of the space 1 cubic yard takes up in a dumpster, it is roughly the size of a typical kitchen stove. 

Knowing how to calculate cubic yards will give you an idea of what size dumpster rental you will need for your cleanup or debris removal job.

kitchen stove

One cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet

How to calculate cubic yards

Cubic yards are used to measure how much volume of debris each dumpster size can hold.  In order to measure volume, you have to calculate the height (or depth) of the debris in addition to the length and width.  So, to calculate the cubic yards of any material, you just multiply the length by the width by the height (or depth).

Using the examle of a typical kitchen stove above, let's say it is 3 feet wide by 3.5 feet high by 2.6 feet long.  That is equal to just a little over 1 cubic yard.  Here is how it's calculated:

1.  Calculate the volume

Calculate the volume in cubic feet.  Multiply the length times width times height = 27.3

2.  Convert cubic feet

There is 27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard.  So just divide the total cubic feet by 27 = 1.01 cubic yards

It's that simple! However, there is another factor to consider which can signifcantly affect the cost of your dumpster rental - the type of the material you are putting in it.

How much does a cubic yard weigh for different material?

As you might have guessed, not every cubic yard of material weighs the same.  And ultimately, your total cost for a dumpster rental with any company will be based on the weight of the material in it at the time of disposal.  

Below is a general guide for the weight of different types of material commonly put in dumpster rentals.  The weights below come directly from various landfills.

Please note:  these weights are general guidelines.  There are MANY factors that can influence the weight of any material.  For example, is the material wet or dry?  Some wet material can weigh considerably more than dry.  In the case of concrete is it large chunks with a lot of "air gaps", or very small pieces with very few gaps?  Very few gaps will mean a lot heavier weight (a lot more volume).  And then there are different types of material.  For example, we show "metal" below, but aluminum is several times lighter than copper.

So just remember the numbers below are averages for the typical types of material that get put into most dumpsters. 

1 Cubic Yard Of Material
Weight In Pounds
Tree branches and stumps
127
Carpet (dry)
147
Wood (scrap)
169
Household items (furniture, appliances, misc)
180
Metal (scrap)
225
Yard waste (mixed)
250
Drywall
467
Construction debris (C&D)
484
Shingles (asphalt)
731
Asphalt
773
Dirt & sand
929
Gravel & rock (loose)
999
Ceramic tile
1214
Concrete (loose)
1855
Brick (loose)
3024

Now that you have an idea of the volume and weight, what size dumpster do you need?

Ok, so you have a rough idea of the weight of the material you need to get rid of.  Next, you can plan for what size dumpster rental you need to best handle the volume. 

The 20 yard is the most popular size.  But check your service area for the sizes available in your area.  

Check our sizes page for more details and pictures of each size.  Remember dimensions can vary slightly.  Also, for heavier material we normally require the use of a smaller size like a 10 or 12 yard, or sometimes a 20 yard no more than half full.

20 yard dumpster dimensions

Available Dumpster Sizes

  • 10 yard dumpster

    11' long x 8' wide x 3.5' tall - holds 10 cubic yards, or about 4 pickup truck loads

  • 12 yard dumpster

    16' long x 8' wide x 3.5' tall - holds 12 cubic yards, or about 5 pickup truck loads

  • 15 yard dumpster

    16' long x 8' wide x 4' tall - holds 15 cubic yards, or about 6 pickup truck loads

  • 20 yard dumpster

    22' long x 8' wide x 3.5' tall - holds 20 cubic yards, or about 8 pickup truck loads

  • 30 yard dumpster

    22' long x 8' wide x 6' tall - holds 30 cubic yards, or about 12 pickup truck loads

  • 40 yard dumpster

    22' long x 8' wide x 8' tall - holds 40 cubic yards, or about 16 pickup truck loads
* Note: dimensions can vary slightly by area and by manufacturer.  Some are taller and not as long, and some are shorter and longer.

Dumpster Weight FAQs

How much is a cubic yard?

A cubic yard is equal to 27 cubic feet. Length x width x height (depth). A cubic yard is roughly the size of a standard kitchen stove or washing machine.

How much does a cubic yard weigh?

It depends on the material.  The weight of debris normally put in a dumpster can vary widely.  Use the table above on this page to give you an approximate idea of the weight of the most commonly disposed of materials.

How do I convert square feet to cubic yards?

In order to convert square feet to cubic yards, you need to calculate the volume.  So, in addition to the length and width, you need to also multiply the height (or depth).  This will give you the total cubic feet.  Then all you need to do is divide that number by 27 (27 cubic feet in 1 cubic yard).

How many cubic yards are in a pickup truck load?

A typical pickup truck can hold 2-3 cubic yards of material.  One cubic yard is roughly the size of a kitchen stove or washer or dryer.

How many pounds can a roll off dumpster hold?

Any size dumpster can hold up to 30,000 pounds, or 15 tons.  This is the weight capacity.  But, not every truck can pick up a load that heavy, not to mention the legal and safety issues hauling a dumpster weighing over 10 tons.  This is why you have to be careful and lean on the side of caution when filling a dumspter with heavy material.  If the truck cannot lift it, you may have to offload material, and it can result in dry run fees ($200 per trip).  The weight capacity is not to be confused with weight limits.  Most companies often refer to "weight limits" as the weight included in the flat rate price.  

What if my dumpster weighs more than the weight limit?

Remember, "weight limits" are normally just the weights included in the flat rate price.  This is different from the weight capacity of a dumspter.  It's fine if the dumpster is over the weight limit.  Typically that doesn't happen for most rentals, but if it does, it's simply an extra charge, pro-rated by the ton.

What you have to watch out for is the dumpster potentially weighing more than the capacity of the dumpster - so 10+ tons.  This page gives you some ideas to help you with that.  But our expert team at Trash Daddy can help you if you have questions.  We specialize in exactly this - helping customers keep their total dumpster rental costs as low as possible.
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