How Big Is a 10 Cubic Yard Dumpster?

Man standing next to a 10 yard and 20 yard dumpster

Updated June 2, 2023

Small dumpsters are a popular choice for residential cleanups like spring cleaning, construction debris cleanup, single-layer roof tear offs, and more.

10 yard roll-off dumpsters are versatile, compact, and designed to fit nicely in a standard driveway.

Some bins are constructed with shorter sides for easier side-loading of heavy debris, such as concrete or dirt.

10 yard roll-off containers are considered small dumpsters and hold 10 cubic yards of debris, but their size and shape varies. 

In this article, we'll discuss...


Find a dumpster rental company in your area


How Much Will Fit Inside a 10 Yard Roll-off Dumpster?

An easy way to estimate how much space 10 cubic yards actually consumes is to visualize the size of a standard stove.

One 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft stove takes up 1 cubic yard of space.

Picture 10 of these stoves to estimate the amount of volume 10 cubic yards takes up.

10 yard dumpster capacity example

Different Container Styles

The different types of dumpster styles

Standard Tub-Style or Flat-Bottom Container

  • Common exterior dimensions of a standard 10 yard bin are 12 ft long x 8 ft wide x 3.5 ft high
  • Features a swinging back door(s) for easy walk-in loading

Lowboy Dumpsters

  • Much lower sidewalls than standard 10 yard roll-offs
  • Common lowboy dimensions are  20 ft long x 8 ft wide x 2 ft high
  • Designed specifically for very heavy debris like concrete, dirt, or rock
  • Back door opens to form a ramp for easy loading

Dumpster Trailers

  • Rubber-tired dumpsters
  • Common dimensions are 14 ft long x 7 ft wide x 3 ft high
  • Easier on asphalt driveways or lawns than steel wheels and feet
  • Not as common as standard roll-off dumpsters

Is a 10 Yard Bin Right for Your Project?

10 yarders are generally used for two types of cleanups: heavy debris (e.g., concrete, dirt, roofing shingles, etc.), and small cleanouts of non-bulky wastes (e.g., attic cleanout).

The best way to ensure a 10 yard container will accommodate your cleanup is to call a local dumpster rental company and discuss the project with them.

While a 10 yard dumpster is usually the most affordable option, the project can get expensive when you find that a 10 yarder wasn’t big enough to finish the job.

10 yard roll-off dumpsters are great for:

  • Moving dirt
  • Concrete debris disposal
  • Basement, garage, and attic cleanouts
  • Non-bulky household junk cleanout (e.g., spring cleaning)
  • Landscaping and yard debris
  • Roofing shingles
  • Remodeling projects or small flooring removal

When you're on the fence about which size to choose, the bigger container is usually the safer choice. Renting a dumpster that is too small can mean having to rent an additional dumpster, instantly doubling your disposal costs.

Alternative Options

It may also be worth considering hiring a junk removal company for your cleanup.

In some instances, junk removal may be the more affordable solution, particularly for small cleanups.

Junk removal is great for the disposal of furniture sets, small debris piles, or situations where you can’t do the loading yourself.

Whether you're in need of a junk removal crew or a dumpster rental, Hometown can help you find locally-owned and licensed companies that service your area.

By entering your zip code and answering a few quick questions about your project type, you'll be shown qualified disposal companies near you.

Request free quotes to compare pricing, customer service, and availability to choose the best company based on your particular needs.


Get free 10 yard dumpster quotes from local providers