Dumpster Size and Weight Calculator: Kansas City
Tap what you are throwing out and how much. The calculator adds up the cubic yards and the weight, then picks the dumpster that holds it for the lowest estimated price.
- Weighs 50+ materials
- Picks the size and how many
- Uses today's prices
The math
How the Calculator Picks a Size
Weight
Each amount is multiplied by a typical weight for that material: pounds per sheet of drywall, per square of shingles, per brick, or per cubic foot of concrete and soil.
Loose volume
Torn out material takes more room than it did in place. Broken concrete is figured at 1.5 times its slab volume, and each soil type uses its own swell from the Caterpillar tables.
Best fit
Every size we rent is checked. A size has to hold the load level with the top of its walls and stay under its maximum weight. The cheapest one that does, counting any weight over the tons included, is the pick.
Weight = amount × pounds per unit
Slab or dig = length × width × (thickness ÷ 12) cubic feet
Loose cubic yards = cubic feet × swell ÷ 27
Overage = (load weight − tons included × 2,000) × the size's rate per pound
Want to see how big each container is first? Compare them on our dumpster sizes and dimensions.
Material weight chart
How Much Does Construction Debris Weigh?
The same numbers the calculator uses. Open a group or search for a material. Loose weight per cubic yard is what a broken out, loaded yard of the material weighs.
No material matches that. Try a shorter word.
Concrete, Masonry, Stone and Soil
27 materials
| Material | Typical weight | Loose lb per cubic yard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete slab, patio or driveway | 15 lb per cubic foot in place 2,7 lb per cubic yard, already broken |
2,700 | NRMCA Concrete in Practice 36 |
| Concrete steps, footings or walls | 15 lb per cubic foot in place | 2,700 | NRMCA Concrete in Practice 36 |
| Asphalt driveway or paving | 145 lb per cubic foot in place 2,61 lb per cubic yard, already broken |
2,610 | Iowa DOT asphalt quantity guide |
| Brick, Modular (2 1/4 x 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 in) | 3.8 lb per brick 29.5 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,110 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, Queen | 3.45 lb per brick 21.8 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,160 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, King | 3.7 lb per brick 19.4 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,180 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, Engineer | 4.7 lb per brick 30.4 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,140 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, Norman | 5.9 lb per brick 30.5 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,190 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, Closure | 5.8 lb per brick 30 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,150 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, Utility | 9.2 lb per brick 31.7 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,140 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Brick, Brick paver | 4.5 lb per brick 23.3 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,140 | Triangle Brick sizes and weights Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 |
| Concrete block (CMU), 4 in block (8 x 16 face) | 24 lb per block 29.7 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,160 | Concrete block sizes and weights |
| Concrete block (CMU), 6 in block (8 x 16 face) | 28.5 lb per block 35.3 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,160 | Concrete block sizes and weights |
| Concrete block (CMU), 8 in block (8 x 16 face) | 32.5 lb per block 40.2 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,170 | Concrete block sizes and weights |
| Concrete block (CMU), 10 in block (8 x 16 face) | 44 lb per block 54.5 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,160 | Concrete block sizes and weights |
| Concrete block (CMU), 12 in block (8 x 16 face) | 50 lb per block 61.9 lb per sq ft of wall |
2,160 | Concrete block sizes and weights |
| Concrete pavers, 2 3/8 in patio paver | 28.7 lb per sq ft | 2,710 | NRMCA Concrete in Practice 36 |
| Concrete pavers, 3 1/8 in driveway paver | 37.8 lb per sq ft | 2,700 | NRMCA Concrete in Practice 36 |
| Flagstone or natural stone | 166 lb per cubic foot in place 2,7 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,720 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Gravel | 119 lb per cubic foot in place 2,85 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,860 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Crushed stone or landscape rock | 1 lb per cubic foot in place 2,7 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,700 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Dirt or fill | 119 lb per cubic foot in place 2,55 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,550 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Wet dirt or mud | 126 lb per cubic foot in place 2,7 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,700 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Topsoil | 85.2 lb per cubic foot in place 1,6 lb per cubic yard, loose |
1,600 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Clay | 126 lb per cubic foot in place 2,8 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,810 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Sand | 119 lb per cubic foot in place 2,85 lb per cubic yard, loose |
2,860 | Caterpillar earthwork density tables |
| Sod | 3 lb per sq ft 30 lb per roll (10 sq ft) |
430 | University of Maryland Extension, sod |
Remodel and Construction
24 materials
| Material | Typical weight | Loose lb per cubic yard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles, 3 tab | 25 lb per square (100 sq ft) 2.5 lb per sq ft of roof 2.88 lb per sq ft of house footprint |
730 | CertainTeed shingle weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Asphalt shingles, Architectural | 3 lb per square (100 sq ft) 3 lb per sq ft of roof 3.45 lb per sq ft of house footprint |
730 | CertainTeed shingle weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Asphalt shingles, Premium laminated | 375 lb per square (100 sq ft) 3.75 lb per sq ft of roof 4.31 lb per sq ft of house footprint |
730 | CertainTeed shingle weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Asphalt shingles, Designer or shake look | 585 lb per square (100 sq ft) 5.85 lb per sq ft of roof 6.73 lb per sq ft of house footprint |
730 | CertainTeed shingle weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Roof decking (OSB or plywood) | 50 lb per 4 x 8 sheet | 260 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Drywall, 1/2 in | 51 lb per 4 x 8 sheet 77 lb per 4 x 12 sheet 1.6 lb per sq ft of wall |
470 | Drywall sheet sizes and weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Drywall, 5/8 in Type X | 70.4 lb per 4 x 8 sheet 106 lb per 4 x 12 sheet 2.2 lb per sq ft of wall |
470 | Drywall sheet sizes and weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Lumber and framing | 169 lb per cubic yard | 170 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Deck boards and fencing | 169 lb per cubic yard | 170 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Mixed construction debris | 484 lb per cubic yard | 480 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Carpet and pad | 0.63 lb per sq ft 90 lb per room (12 x 12) |
110 | Floor removal weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Hardwood flooring | 3.25 lb per sq ft | 170 | Floor removal weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Laminate or vinyl plank | 1.25 lb per sq ft | 270 | Floor removal weights EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Ceramic or porcelain tile | 4.75 lb per sq ft | 1,830 | Floor removal weights |
| Kitchen cabinets | 30 lb per linear ft (uppers and lowers) | 200 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Countertops, Granite, 3 cm | 18 lb per sq ft | 2,690 | Countertop slab weights |
| Countertops, Quartz, 3 cm | 15 lb per sq ft | 2,680 | Countertop slab weights |
| Countertops, Laminate | 3 lb per sq ft | 270 | Countertop slab weights |
| Bathtub, Cast iron | 375 lb per tub | 630 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Bathtub, Steel, acrylic or fiberglass | 75 lb per tub | 130 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Toilets and sinks | 80 lb per piece | 530 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Doors and windows | 50 lb per piece | 200 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Insulation | 30 lb per cubic yard | 30 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Vinyl siding | 0.5 lb per sq ft | 130 | Dump It KC field estimate |
Household and Cleanout
28 materials
| Material | Typical weight | Loose lb per cubic yard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household junk, mixed | 275 lb per cubic yard | 280 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Trash bags (33 gallon) | 30 lb per bag | 180 | EPA Measuring Recycling, Appendix B (1997) |
| Clothes and linens | 25 lb per bag (33 gallon) | 150 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Sofa or couch, Sofa | 175 lb per sofa | 120 | Furniture weights, Movers.com |
| Sofa or couch, Loveseat | 115 lb per loveseat | 120 | Furniture weights, Movers.com |
| Sofa or couch, Sectional | 35 lb per sectional | 140 | Furniture weights, Movers.com |
| Recliner or armchair | 80 lb per chair | 110 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Mattress or box spring | 55 lb per piece | 90 | EPA Measuring Recycling, Appendix B (1997) |
| Dresser or chest | 12 lb per piece | 200 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Tables and chairs, Table or desk | 60 lb per table | 120 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Tables and chairs, Dining chair | 15 lb per chair | 100 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Appliances, Washer | 15 lb per piece | 210 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Appliances, Dryer | 125 lb per piece | 180 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Appliances, Stove or range | 15 lb per piece | 250 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Appliances, Dishwasher | 125 lb per piece | 310 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Appliances, Refrigerator or freezer | 25 lb per piece | 190 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Water heater | 15 lb per piece | 300 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Window air conditioner | 60 lb per unit | 400 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| TVs and monitors, TV under 40 in | 30 lb per piece | 200 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| TVs and monitors, TV 40 in or larger | 60 lb per piece | 200 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| TVs and monitors, Computer monitor | 15 lb per piece | 150 | Dump It KC field estimate |
| Tires, Car tire, no rim | 22.5 lb per tire | 150 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Tires, Car tire with rim | 40 lb per tire | 270 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Tires, Truck or SUV tire, no rim | 45 lb per tire | 230 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Tires, Truck or SUV tire with rim | 70 lb per tire | 350 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Tires, Commercial truck tire | 12 lb per tire | 240 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Wood pallets | 25 lb per pallet | 170 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Railroad ties | 2 lb per tie | 800 | Dump It KC field estimate |
Yard Waste
2 materials
| Material | Typical weight | Loose lb per cubic yard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yard waste (leaves, grass, trimmings) | 25 lb per cubic yard 48 lb per lawn bag |
250 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
| Branches and brush | 127 lb per cubic yard | 130 | EPA Volume-to-Weight Conversion Factors (2016) |
Pickup loads are figured at 2.5 cubic yards, a full-size bed loaded level with the rails (truck bed volumes). Rows marked as a field estimate are what we see on our own trucks and at the scale.
Calculator questions
Questions About the Calculator
How does the dumpster size calculator choose a size?
It turns everything you add into loose cubic yards and pounds, then checks each dumpster we rent against both. A size only counts if the load fits level with the top of the walls and stays under that size's weight limit. Of the sizes that fit, it shows the one with the lowest estimated total, including any weight over the tons included.
Why does the calculator care about weight and not just space?
Landfills charge by the ton, and every container has a weight it can legally be hauled with. A dumpster can be half full of shingles or tile and already be at its weight allowance, so the calculator watches both numbers and tells you which one runs out first.
What is a loose cubic yard?
Material takes up more room once it is torn out. A concrete slab grows about 50 percent when it is broken into chunks, and dug soil grows between 12 and 44 percent depending on the type. The calculator does that math, so a patio shows the space its rubble really needs in the container.
How accurate is the estimate?
Close enough to pick the right size, but it is not a scale ticket. Weights come from EPA conversion factors, Caterpillar soil tables and manufacturer data, rounded toward the heavy side. Rain, mortar and how tightly the load is packed all move the number, and the landfill scale sets the final weight.
What if my load is heavier than the tons included?
Weight over the tons included is billed at that size's rate, $0.07 per pound on most sizes, up to the size's maximum. The calculator never plans a container past its maximum. It adds a second container instead, because an overweight dumpster cannot be hauled safely.
Can concrete or dirt go in a regular dumpster?
A small amount can ride along with other debris. Once heavy material passes about 1,000 pounds, the calculator moves it to the concrete dumpster, whose low walls keep a full load under the legal weight, and puts everything else in a regular dumpster.
Do tires, refrigerators or TVs cost extra?
Yes. Those items carry a disposal fee, and the calculator adds it to your total as soon as you add one. Every fee is on the restricted items page.
Can I save or send my estimate?
Every change updates the page address, so the link always holds your materials and amounts. Tap Share this estimate to text or email it, or bookmark the page and come back to it later.
Have your size?
Book It Online in a Few Minutes
Pick the size the calculator chose, or call and walk us through the job. We will match the container to it.