Skip size calculator
A 6 yard builders skip, the most common size, holds about 40 to 55 bin bags. Heavy waste like rubble needs a smaller skip than its volume suggests.
6 yard builders skip
- Skips needed
- 1
- Holds about
- 40 bags
- Capacity
- 4.6 m³
- How full it will be
- 88%
For about 35 bin bags of general and bulky waste. A 6 yard skip is about 2.6 × 1.5 × 1.2 m (length × width × height).
Skips can’t be filled above the top edge. Placing one on the road needs a permit, which your skip company usually arranges.
UK skip sizes
Approximate bin bag capacity and size. Dimensions vary slightly between skip companies.
| Skip | Bin bags | Capacity | Length × width × height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 yard mini skip | 20–30 | 1.5 m³ | 1.2 × 1.0 × 0.9 m |
| 4 yard midi skip | 30–40 | 3.1 m³ | 1.8 × 1.3 × 1.0 m |
| 6 yard builders skip | 40–55 | 4.6 m³ | 2.6 × 1.5 × 1.2 m |
| 8 yard builders skip | 60–80 | 6.1 m³ | 3.7 × 1.7 × 1.2 m |
| 12 yard maxi skip (light waste only) | 100–120 | 9.2 m³ | 3.7 × 1.8 × 1.7 m |
How we calculate this
We pick the smallest skip that holds your waste. For bin bags, we use the lower end of each skip’s capacity, so you won’t run out of room. For cubic metres, one cubic yard is 0.76 m³.
Heavy waste such as rubble, soil and concrete can hit a skip’s weight limit before it is full, so we don’t suggest a 12 yard skip for it. If your waste needs more than the largest suitable skip, we tell you how many you need.
Questions people ask
How many bin bags fit in a skip?
About 20–30 in a 2 yard mini skip, 40–55 in a 6 yard builders skip and 100–120 in a 12 yard maxi skip. The table above shows every size.
What size skip do I need for a kitchen or bathroom?
A 4 yard midi skip usually suits a bathroom or small kitchen refit, and a 6 yard builders skip suits a full kitchen. Bulky items like units take more room than you might expect.
Why can’t I put rubble in a big skip?
Rubble, soil and concrete are very heavy. A large skip full of them would be too heavy for the lorry to lift, so skip companies limit heavy waste to smaller skips.
Do I need a permit for a skip?
Only if it goes on the road or pavement. Your skip hire company usually applies to the council for you, so ask when you book. A skip on your own driveway doesn’t need one.
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