What Size Skip Bin Do I Need?
Quick answer: 2–3m³ suits a small clean-up, 4–6m³ a garage clean-out or kitchen/bathroom renovation, 8–12m³ a large home project, and 15–30m³ hook bins commercial or site waste. For concrete, bricks or soil, choose by weight limit rather than volume.
Skip bin sizes at a glance
| Size | Holds about | Approx. dimensions | Typical job |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2m³ | ≈ 8 wheelie bins | L 1.8m × W 1.5m × H 0.9m | Wardrobe, small garden tidy or a few household items |
| 3m³ | ≈ 12 wheelie bins | L 2.4m × W 1.5m × H 0.9m | Room or apartment clean-out |
| 4m³ | ≈ 16 wheelie bins | L 3.0m × W 1.5m × H 1.0m | Garage clean-out, moving house or a small strip-out |
| 6m³ | ≈ 24 wheelie bins | L 3.6m × W 1.6m × H 1.2m | Kitchen or bathroom renovation, multi-room clean-up |
| 8m³ | ≈ 32 wheelie bins | L 4.0m × W 1.7m × H 1.4m | Large renovation, whole-home decluttering |
| 10m³ | ≈ 40 wheelie bins | L 4.2m × W 1.8m × H 1.6m | Major clean-out, office clear-out, bulky light waste |
| 12m³ | ≈ 48 wheelie bins | L 4.8m × W 1.8m × H 1.8m | Large building, commercial or staged renovation work |
| 15–30m³ hook bins | — | varies by supplier | Commercial, industrial and construction sites (need truck access) |
Dimensions are approximate and vary between local suppliers.
How to choose
- Estimate the volume. Count wheelie bins of waste; a 2m³ bin holds about 8.
- Check the waste type. Heavy waste (soil, concrete, bricks) is limited by weight — see waste types.
- Check placement. On a road, footpath or nature strip you may need a council permit.
- If unsure, go one size up for bulky light waste.
Sizes by project
See every bin on skip bin sizes, check what can't go in a skip bin, then enter your postcode for the price at your address.
Frequently asked questions
What size skip bin do I need?
Match the bin to the job: 2–3m³ for a small clean-up, 4–6m³ for a garage clean-out or renovation, 8–12m³ for a large home project, and 15–30m³ hook bins for commercial or site waste. If you are between sizes with bulky light waste, go up one size.
How big is a 4m³ skip bin?
Roughly 3.0m long, 1.5m wide and 1.0m high, about 16 wheelie bins of waste. Exact dimensions vary between local suppliers.
What size skip for concrete, bricks or soil?
Choose by the weight limit, not volume. Heavy material reaches a bin's weight allowance before it fills the volume, so heavy waste is usually booked in the smaller sizes.
Can I fill a skip above the rim?
No. Waste must not be filled above the rim so the bin can be transported safely.
Are skip bin dimensions exact?
No. The same capacity can have different dimensions depending on the local supplier.