Dumpster Volume Calculator
Measure a loose pile of debris to estimate its volume in cubic yards. Use feet for all three dimensions; for inches, divide the measurement by 12 before entering it.
How to calculate cubic yards
Multiply length × width × average height in feet, then divide by 27. A pile 12 feet long, 6 feet wide and 3 feet high is 216 cubic feet, or 8 cubic yards.
Measuring an uneven pile
Measure the debris after removal, not the room it came from. For an uneven pile, use an average height rather than its tallest point. Divide separate piles into sections, calculate each one and add the volumes. A rectangular estimate is approximate when the pile has sloping sides or large gaps.
Volume and dumpster size are different decisions
An 8-cubic-yard estimate does not guarantee the material will fit safely in any particular dumpster. Bulky items can leave gaps, and concrete, soil or masonry can reach a weight limit before the container looks full. Material must stay within the approved fill line.
Compare dumpster sizes and tell us what you are loading. Use the concrete calculator for concrete volume and weight estimates, or the demolition debris calculator for tear-out planning.
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