Updated July 31, 2025
When it comes to renting a dumpster, most people focus on size: 10 yard, 20 yard, 40 yard, and so on. But there’s another crucial factor that’s just as important: weight.
Every dumpster rental comes with an included weight in the cost. If your debris weight exceeds the included weight for your dumpster, you can incur extra charges. By understanding the type of debris you're throwing out as well as roughly how much you have and how much it will weigh, you'll be prepared and confident you're renting the perfect dumpster for you.
Whether you're cleaning out your home, tearing off a roof, or tackling a bathroom renovation, the type of debris you're throwing out plays a big role in how much your dumpster will weigh when it's full.
Understanding debris weight is easy, and it helps you:
- Choose the right dumpster size
- Keep your project running smoothly
- Avoid overage charges
We'll help you understand how much different waste types typically weigh so you can better evaluate a quote from a dumpster service, both the upfront price and any potential additional costs from debris weight.
We'll help you answer the question: Is the included weight on my dumpster quote enough or will I likely have extra charges?
How Much Common Debris Types Weigh
When estimating the weight of a loaded dumpster, both the type of debris and the dumpster size play a major role. Different materials have different densities, and as a result, a full dumpster of household junk will weigh significantly less than one filled with roofing shingles or concrete.
Below is a general guide to what you can expect based on typical weight ranges.
Note: The weight included in a dumpster's price is typically measured in tons. One ton is the equivalent of 2,000 lbs.
Trash or Household Junk
Household junk typically includes general trash, furniture, clothes, toys, boxes, light appliances, etc. Weighing only 100-250 lbs per cubic yard, it's relatively lightweight. Even if you fill a large dumpster, you likely won’t go over the weight limit unless you're disposing of heavier items like books, old appliances, or solid wood furniture.
Take a look at the table below to get an idea for how much a dumpster will weigh when it's full of household trash. Keep in mind, these estimates are only averages, and your household trash may weigh more or less. The included weight of each dumpster size will also vary from one company to another, so make sure you're aware of how much weight is included in the price before renting.
| Dumpster Size | Weight When 50% Full | Weight When Full |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 0.25-0.5 tons | 0.5-1 ton |
| 15 yard | 0.5-0.75 tons | 1-1.5 tons |
| 20 yard | 0.6-1 ton | 1.25-2 tons |
| 30 yard | 0.875-1.25 tons | 1.75-2.5 tons |
| 40 yard | 1.25-1.5+ tons | 2.5-3+ tons |
Tip: Household junk is usually the lightest type of debris, but it can still add up, especially if you're tossing heavier items like old couches or a garage full of clutter.
Keep reading:
- What Size Dumpster Do I Need to Clean Out My House?
- Insider's Guide to Getting Rid of Household Junk
Construction & Demolition Debris
Construction and demolition debris (C&D) typically includes drywall, wood, flooring, cabinetry, plaster, concrete, siding, etc. Weighing approximately 250-1,000 lbs per cubic yard, it's one of the debris types that can add up quickly even if the dumpster isn't full. Because of this, a smaller dumpster is typically recommended, if not required, so you avoid exceeding truck hauling limits.
In the table below, you can see how much a dumpster will weigh on average when it's full of construction or demolition debris. Remember that these are averages, and your C&D debris may weigh more or less.
The amount of weight included in the price for each dumpster size can differ depending on the rental company, so it’s important to confirm how much weight is included before you book. Likewise, C&D debris is much heavier than household junk, so always check a dumpster's weight limit before renting too.
| Dumpster Size | Weight When 50% Full | Weight When Full |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 0.5-1 ton | 1-2 tons |
| 15 yard | 0.75-1.5 tons | 1.5-3 tons |
| 20 yard | 1-2 tons | 2-4 tons |
Read more:
Roofing Shingles
The most common roofing shingles are asphalt shingles, which are very dense and heavy. Weighing 250-300 lbs per 100 square feet, the average American shingle roof (1,700 sq ft) weighs an average of 2.125-2.55 tons (4,250-5,100 lbs). Your roof may weigh more or less than these averages depending on its size, how much of the roof decking materials need to be removed, the number of layers, etc.
Because asphalt shingles are so heavy, many rental companies restrict shingle disposal to smaller dumpster sizes to avoid overweight loads.
| Dumpster Size | Weight When 50% Full | Weight When Full |
|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 0.75-1 ton | 1.5-2 tons |
| 15 yard | 1-1.5 tons | 2-3 tons |
| 20 yard | 1.5-2 tons | 3-4 tons |
Learn more:
Get Free Dumpster Rental Estimates
Request availability and pricing from dumpster
rental companies near you.
Is the Included Weight of My Dumpster Enough?
Now that you have a better idea of what your debris type weighs and roughly how much you have, it's easy to determine whether or not a specific dumpster size and included weight is enough for your project.
When finding a dumpster on Hometown, it's easy to compare dumpster costs as well as included weights and overage fees.
As you can see above, each dumpster quote includes:
- Cost to rent that dumpster size
- How much weight is included in the dumpster price
- Cost per ton if you go over the included weight
- How many days are included in the dumpster price
- Cost per day if you keep the dumpster longer than your included rental period
When determining which dumpster is right for you, you'll want to consider all of these factors.
Ask yourself the following questions...
- Roughly how much debris do I have? (1 cubic yard is roughly the size of a standard kitchen stove.)
- Roughly how much does the debris I have weigh? (See the charts above for average weights for common debris types.)
- Is it cheaper if I pay more upfront for a larger dumpster/higher weight limit?
- How much will I be paying in total if I go over the included weight for a specific dumpster?
If you're tossing household junk and trash, the volume of debris you have is typically enough information to know which dumpster size is right for your project. This is because household junk and trash are lightweight and very rarely exceed a dumpster's included weight. However, if you are disposing of heavy furniture, make sure you keep weight in mind as well.
If you are disposing of heavy debris, like C&D debris or roofing shingles, however, you will want to take weight into close consideration. Here's an example...
Let's say you have 5 cubic yards of concrete to dispose of. You'll need to consider the weight included in the dumpster price and the cost per extra ton, not just whether or not it will fit inside the dumpster. For example, let's say the company's 10 yard heavy debris dumpster—a low-boy dumpster specifically designed for carrying dense, heavy debris—includes 8 tons of weight for the price of $500. Even if you only have 5 cubic yards of concrete (average weight of 10.125 tons) and it would physically fit inside the 10 yard dumpster, the weight of that amount of concrete will exceed the included weight (8 tons), and incur an additional fee per ton ($100 per ton x 2.125 tons = $212.50 in overage fees).
In this scenario, if you went with the 10 yard dumpster for $500 (including 8 tons of weight), you would end up paying roughly $712.50 including the overage fees. Now, let's say that same company offers a 15 yard dumpster for $550 and 9 tons of weight for the price. You would end up paying $550 base price + $112.50 for going one ton over the included weight = $662.50. In this case, choosing the larger dumpster would save you $50.
Regardless of your situation, you should be making sure you choose the dumpster that best matches your actual debris weight, not just the cheapest upfront option.
