Trash Can Sizes: Gallons, Liters, Dimensions and Bag Fit
Capacity and dimensions for bathroom bins, kitchen cans and curbside carts, a gallon-to-liter comparison, and the formula for buying bags that actually fit.
The standard kitchen trash can holds 13 gallons (49 liters) and takes 24 × 27 in "tall kitchen" bags. Bathroom and office wastebaskets are 1.5-7 gallons (6-26 L), and curbside wheeled carts come in 32, 64 and 96 gallons (121, 242 and 363 L). A 96-gallon cart is about 43 in (109 cm) tall.
- Kitchen standard
- 13 gal (49 L)
- Tall kitchen bag
- 24 × 27 in
- Curbside carts
- 32, 64, 96 gal
- 96 gal cart height
- about 43 in (110 cm)
On this page
Trash can sizes chart
US cans are sold in gallons, sometimes in quarts for small and pull-out bins (4 quarts = 1 gallon). Elsewhere they are sold in liters. The dimensions are typical ranges; the shape of a can (round, rectangular, slim, step) changes them more than its capacity does.
| Capacity | Liters | Typical dimensions | Where it is used | Bag size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5-2 gal (6-8 qt) | 5.7-7.6 L | 8-10 in wide, 10-12 in tall | Bathroom, under desk | 2-4 gal |
| 3-4 gal (12-16 qt) | 11.4-15.1 L | 10-12 in wide, 12-15 in tall | Bathroom, bedroom | 4 gal (about 17 × 17 in) |
| 7 gal (28 qt) | 26.5 L | 14 × 10 in, 15 in tall | Office wastebasket | 7-10 gal |
| 13 gal | 49.2 L | 15-17 × 11-13 in, 24-28 in tall | Kitchen (US standard) | 13 gal tall kitchen (24 × 27 in) |
| 16-20 gal | 60.6-75.7 L | 16-18 × 12-14 in, 26-30 in tall | Large kitchen, garage | 16-20 gal |
| 23 gal | 87.1 L | about 22 × 11 × 30 in (slim) | Commercial kitchens, recycling | 23 gal |
| 32 gal | 121 L | about 22 in diameter, 27 in tall (round) | Garage, outdoor can | 30-33 gal |
| 64 gal | 242 L | 31½ × 24¼ × 41¾ in | Curbside cart | 64 gal or none |
| 96 gal | 363 L | 35½ × 29¾ × 43¼ in | Curbside cart | 95-96 gal or none |
Kitchen trash can sizes
The 13-gallon can became the US standard because the bag did: "tall kitchen" bags are made 24 in wide and about 27-27½ in long, and cans are designed around them. Choosing a different size means hunting for matching bags or using bags that slip or tear.
- 13 gal (49 L): the default for one to four people with regular collection. Fits beside a cabinet run in a space about 12-15 in wide for slim models.
- 16-20 gal (60-76 L): fewer trips to the outdoor bin, but a full bag of wet kitchen waste at this size gets heavy and is more likely to split, so buy thicker bags.
- Dual-compartment cans: usually 2 × 20-30 L (5-8 gal each) for trash and recycling in about the footprint of a single 13-gal can. Each side takes a smaller bag.
- Pull-out cabinet bins: sold in quarts, commonly 27, 35 and 50 qt (6.75, 8.75 and 12.5 gal) per bin, in single or double frames. Measure the cabinet's clear opening width, height and depth and compare with the maker's minimum opening; see kitchen cabinet sizes for standard base widths.
Step cans and flip-lid cans need clearance above them to open. A 26 in tall step can with a 13 in lid needs about 38-40 in of height, so it may not open fully under a 36 in counter overhang or a wall cabinet. Measure lid clearance before buying for a tight spot.
Gallons to liters: trash can comparison
| US gallons | Liters | Quarts | Closest metric bin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 gal | 7.6 L | 8 qt | 8 L |
| 4 gal | 15.1 L | 16 qt | 15 L |
| 8 gal | 30.3 L | 32 qt | 30 L |
| 13 gal | 49.2 L | 52 qt | 45-50 L |
| 16 gal | 60.6 L | 64 qt | 60 L |
| 20 gal | 75.7 L | 80 qt | 75-80 L |
| 32 gal | 121.1 L | 128 qt | 120 L wheelie bin |
| 64 gal | 242.3 L | 256 qt | 240 L wheelie bin |
| 96 gal | 363.4 L | 384 qt | 360 L wheelie bin |
European municipal wheelie bins come in 120, 240 and 360 L, almost exactly the US 32, 64 and 96 gallon carts, and larger four-wheel containers of 660 and 1,100 L serve apartment buildings.
Curbside cart dimensions
Wheeled carts are built to the ANSI Z245.60 compatibility standard so that city trucks' automated arms can grab carts from any maker. These are Toter's published dimensions, measured front to back (depth), side to side (width) and to the top of the closed lid.
| Cart | Depth | Width | Height | Wheels | Rated load |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 gal (121 L) | 24 in (61 cm) | 19¾ in (50 cm) | 37½ in (95 cm) | 8 in | 112 lb (51 kg) |
| 64 gal (242 L) | 31½ in (80 cm) | 24¼ in (62 cm) | 41¾ in (106 cm) | 10 in | 224 lb (102 kg) |
| 96 gal (363 L) | 35½ in (90 cm) | 29¾ in (76 cm) | 43¼ in (110 cm) | 10 in | 335 lb (152 kg) |
Carts from other makers and city-issued carts differ by an inch or two. With the lid open, a 96-gallon cart reaches roughly 6 ft, which matters inside a garage or under a low deck.
Planning a bin enclosure
- Add 3-4 in to each side of each cart so they roll in and out without scraping. Two 96-gallon carts side by side need an opening of about 66-68 in.
- Make the enclosure at least 40 in deep for 96-gallon carts, more if the handle sits against the back wall.
- Leave the top open or give the lid room to tip back to about 70-72 in, or use a hinged enclosure roof.
A small storage shed or a lean-to can house carts; check the door width against the cart width first.
How to choose the right bag size
Bag capacity labels are loose. The reliable method is to measure the can and calculate the flat bag size (bags are measured lying flat: width × length).
- Bag width = half the can's circumference. For a round can, multiply the diameter by 3.14 and divide by 2. For a square or rectangular can, add the four sides and divide by 2.
- Bag length = can height + half the base diameter (or base width) + 3-4 in for overhang to fold over the rim.
- Round up to the next stock size. A bag slightly too wide is fine; one too narrow will not reach around the rim.
Example: a round can 14 in across and 18 in tall needs a bag 22 in wide (14 × 3.14 ÷ 2) and 28 in long (18 + 7 + 3). The nearest stock bag is the 24 × 27⅜ in 13-gallon tall kitchen bag. For a round 32-gallon can, 22 in across and 27 in tall: 34.6 in wide and 41 in long, so the 33 × 39-40 in bags sold for 32-gallon cans fit only with some stretch over the rim.
| Labeled capacity | Typical bag size | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| 4 gal | 17 × 17 in | Bathroom and bedroom cans |
| 13 gal tall kitchen | 24 × 27-27½ in | Standard kitchen cans |
| 30-33 gal | 30-33 × 37-40 in | 32 gal outdoor cans |
| 39-45 gal (lawn and leaf, contractor) | 33-40 × 40-46 in | Yard waste, large cans |
Bag thickness is printed in mils (thousandths of an inch) for low-density bags: 0.7-0.9 mil is normal for kitchen bags, 1.5 mil and up for yard and construction debris. High-density bags are thinner (measured in microns) but resist punctures less well.
Dumpster sizes in perspective
Roll-off and commercial dumpsters are sold in cubic yards. One cubic yard is 27 cu ft, which is 202 US gallons or 765 liters, about two 96-gallon carts. A 10-yard roll-off holds about 2,020 gallons (21 full 96-gal carts); a 20-yard about 4,040 gallons; a 30-yard about 6,060 gallons. Commercial front-load dumpsters behind stores are usually 2-8 cubic yards.
For other household storage sizes, see laundry basket sizes and kitchen sink sizes (which set the space left under the sink for a bin).
Frequently asked questions
What is a normal trash can size?
For a kitchen, 13 gallons (49 L) is the US norm; most tall kitchen bags are made for it. Families that cook a lot often move up to 16-20 gal (60-76 L). Bathrooms and bedrooms use 1.5-4 gal (6-15 L), and home offices about 7 gal (26 L).
How many liters is a 13-gallon trash can?
49.2 liters. European and Asian kitchen bins are sold in liters, and the closest common sizes are 45 L (11.9 gal) and 50 L (13.2 gal). A 30 L bin is 7.9 gal, and 60 L is 15.9 gal.
What are the dimensions of a 20-gallon trash can?
A round 20-gallon can is typically about 18-20 in (46-51 cm) in diameter and 22-24 in (56-61 cm) tall. Rectangular 20-gallon kitchen cans are narrower but taller, roughly 16-18 in wide, 12-14 in deep and 26-30 in tall. They take 20-30 gal bags.
What size are 96-gallon and 64-gallon garbage carts?
From Toter's published specs, a 96-gallon cart is about 35½ in deep, 29¾ in wide and 43¼ in tall; a 64-gallon is about 31½ × 24¼ × 41¾ in; a 32-gallon about 24 × 19¾ × 37½ in. Other makers are within an inch or two.
What size trash bag fits a 32-gallon can?
Bags labeled 30-33 gallons, typically 30-33 in wide and 37-40 in long. A round 32-gallon can about 22 in across has a 69 in circumference, so it needs a bag at least 35 in wide flat for a snug fit, or a 33 in bag stretched over the rim.