SKIPHIRECALCULATOR

Skip size guide

Every UK skip size, with real dimensions, rough capacity and the jobs each one actually suits. Not sure which one you need? Try the skip hire calculator first.

1
Mini skip — 2 yd³
1.8 × 1.2 × 1.0 m
Holds roughly 20–30 bin bags. Suits small DIY jobs, a single room declutter, or a bit of garden waste.
2
Midi skip — 4 yd³
2.4 × 1.3 × 1.2 m
Holds roughly 35–45 bin bags. The standard choice for a bathroom refit or a small garden clearance.
3
Builder's skip — 6 yd³
3.0 × 1.5 × 1.2 m
Holds roughly 60–75 bin bags. The most commonly hired size — kitchen renovations, medium gardens, small building jobs.
4
Large skip — 8 yd³
3.6 × 1.7 × 1.3 m
Holds roughly 80–100 bin bags. Whole-house clearances, small extensions, larger landscaping jobs.
5
Maxi skip — 12 yd³
4.0 × 1.8 × 1.5 m
Holds roughly 120–150 bin bags. Large renovations, groundworks, multi-room strip-outs.
6
RoRo skip — 16 yd³
5.8 × 2.3 × 1.5 m
Needs a roll-on-roll-off lorry to deliver. Major construction, full demolitions, commercial refits.
7
RoRo skip — 20–40 yd³
Site-dependent
Commercial and industrial sites only. Requires a licensed carrier and usually a site visit to arrange access.

How to judge size against your job

Think in rooms, not bags

A single stripped-out bathroom (bath, tiles, small amount of rubble) usually fills a midi skip. A full kitchen — units, worktops, flooring — tends to need a builder's skip. If you're clearing more than two rooms at once, jump straight to a large or maxi skip rather than ordering two smaller ones back to back.

Heavy waste fills the weight limit before the visual space

Soil, rubble, bricks and tiles are dense. A skip that looks half-empty can already be at its maximum legal weight, since skip lorries have a weight limit for road transport. If your waste is mostly heavy material, ask your supplier about a dedicated soil/rubble skip — they're often smaller and cheaper for the same money because the price reflects weight, not just size.

When in doubt, size up

A skip that's slightly too big costs a bit more up front. A skip that's too small means paying for a second skip, or paying extra for the operator to remove excess waste. Sizing up is almost always the cheaper mistake.

Still not sure?

Use the calculator to get a straight recommendation based on your project.

Try the calculator