The average capacity of a kitchen garbage can is generally between 13 and 20 gallons (about 50 to 75 liters) for standard family use. This size helps manage the typical food scraps and packaging generated by a household daily.
Selecting the perfect trash can for your kitchen is more important than many people think. A can that is too small fills up too fast. A can that is too big might not fit where you need it to go. This kitchen trash can size guide will help you pick the best fit for your space and lifestyle. We will look at dimensions, volume, and what different needs require.
Factors Affecting Your Kitchen Trash Can Size Choice
The right size depends on several things about your home life. Think about how much trash you make each day. This is the most important factor when choosing the right size kitchen trash can.
Household Size and Waste Generation
How many people live in your home? More people mean more waste.
- Single Person or Couple: You might only need a small kitchen garbage can size, perhaps 5 to 10 gallons (19 to 38 liters). You might be fine with less frequent trash removal.
- Family of Three to Four: This group usually needs the standard size, 13 to 18 gallons (50 to 68 liters). This helps keep trash out of sight until collection day.
- Large Families (Five or More): Consider a large capacity kitchen trash can dimensions, often 20 gallons (75 liters) or more. This prevents overflowing during busy weeks.
Cooking Habits
Do you cook every night? Heavy cooks generate more scraps, like vegetable peels and food packaging.
If you cook often, you need a bigger can. If you eat out a lot, a smaller can works well. Some people use a small compost bin inside for food waste and rely on the main can for everything else.
Trash Collection Schedule
When does your trash get picked up?
- Daily Pickup: If trash is collected daily, you can safely use a smaller can.
- Weekly Pickup: For weekly pickups, you need a larger can to hold seven days’ worth of waste without smelling or attracting pests.
Available Space
Look at where the can will sit. Will it fit under the sink? Next to the counter? Or maybe in a cabinet? Space limits the size you can buy. We need to check the kitchen waste receptacle dimensions carefully before purchasing.
Standard Kitchen Waste Bin Dimensions and Volumes
Trash can sizes are measured in gallons or liters. Converting between these helps you compare options easily. This kitchen bin volume liters table offers quick conversions.
| Gallons (US) | Liters (Approx.) | Common Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Gallons | 19 Liters | Small apartment, secondary bin |
| 8 Gallons | 30 Liters | Small kitchen, single person |
| 13 Gallons | 50 Liters | Standard small family size |
| 16 Gallons | 60 Liters | Average family size |
| 18 Gallons | 68 Liters | Large family, heavy waste producers |
| 20 Gallons | 75 Liters | Very large families, high volume |
Deciphering Standard Kitchen Waste Bin Dimensions
When looking at product listings, you often see height, width, and depth. These standard kitchen waste bin dimensions are key for fitting them into tight spaces.
A common 13-gallon step can might measure about 15 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 25 inches tall. Always check the exact measurements. A can labeled “slim” will be much narrower but might be taller.
For those needing extra space, large capacity kitchen trash can dimensions often start around 16 inches wide and 28 inches tall for an 18-gallon model.
Determining Your Kitchen Trash Can Capacity Needs
How do you figure out your real need? Measuring kitchen trash can capacity involves more than just looking at the label. It involves looking at your trash bags.
Matching Can Size to Trash Bag Size
Most kitchen trash cans are designed to use specific liner sizes. If you buy standard 13-gallon kitchen bags, buying an 18-gallon can is usually a poor fit. The bag will bunch up or slip down inside the can.
- 5-8 Gallon Cans: Often fit small 4-gallon or 6-gallon liners.
- 13 Gallon Cans: Designed perfectly for standard kitchen garbage bags.
- 18-20 Gallon Cans: Need “tall” or “large” kitchen liners, usually rated for 20 or 23 gallons.
Using the wrong bag size wastes money and makes the can harder to use. Always check the can’s recommended bag size.
The ‘Two-Day Rule’ for Volume Estimation
A simple way to guess is the “Two-Day Rule.” Fill up one standard kitchen trash bag completely. How long did it take your household to fill that bag?
- If it takes two days to fill one standard 13-gallon bag, then a 13-gallon can is your best size for kitchen garbage can.
- If it takes only one day, you might need a larger size, like 16 or 18 gallons.
Types of Kitchen Trash Cans and Their Size Impact
The style of the trash can changes how much usable space it offers, even if the external dimensions look similar.
Step Cans (Lid Operated by Foot Pedal)
Step cans are very popular. They keep hands clean. Their mechanisms take up some internal space.
- Shape: They are often rectangular or D-shaped to sit flush against a wall or cabinet.
- Usable Volume: Because of the hinge and pedal mechanism at the back, the actual usable volume might be slightly less than a simple open-top can of the same external size.
Motion Sensor/Automatic Lids
These cans use batteries and sensors. Like step cans, the electronic components can slightly reduce the internal space dedicated to waste. They are great for hygiene but don’t usually offer the maximum possible capacity for their footprint.
Pull-Out/Cabinet Cans
These slide into your cabinetry. Their size is strictly limited by the cabinet opening.
- Measuring is Crucial: You must measure the cabinet width, height, and depth.
- Double Bins: Many cabinet systems use two smaller bins (e.g., two 7-gallon bins) side-by-side. This is great for separating trash and recycling, but neither bin offers a large capacity kitchen trash can dimensions typically found in freestanding models.
Simple Open-Top Cans
These offer the most straightforward volume for their footprint. They are less common in modern kitchens because they expose the trash.
Choosing the Right Size for Specific Kitchen Setups
The layout of your kitchen heavily influences the acceptable kitchen trash can size.
Small Kitchens and Apartments
In tight spaces, bulk is the enemy. You need a can that disappears.
- Look for slim profile cans, often called “slimline” or “narrow.”
- A 10-gallon (38 liter) can might be the maximum practical size if space is tight.
- Consider placing the can inside a pantry door or next to the refrigerator where it won’t block traffic flow.
Large Open-Concept Kitchens
If you have a large kitchen, you likely generate more trash because entertaining or cooking for larger groups happens more often.
- Here, a 16 to 20-gallon can is often ideal.
- Size is less of an issue, so focus on features like soft-close lids and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel.
Kitchens with Separate Recycling Bins
If you have a dedicated side-by-side or stacked unit for recycling, you can afford to go slightly smaller on the main trash bin.
- If your recycling bin holds 8 gallons, your main trash bin only needs to manage non-recyclables. A 13-gallon unit might last longer than expected.
Advanced Considerations: Material and Weight
The material affects durability and how easy it is to move the can when full.
Plastic vs. Stainless Steel
- Plastic: Lighter weight. Easier to move and clean. Generally available in a wider range of sizes, including very small kitchen garbage can size options for convenience.
- Stainless Steel: Heavier, more durable, and often looks better. Their weight makes them very stable when using a foot pedal, but moving a full, heavy steel can is harder than moving a plastic one.
Weight When Full
A large capacity kitchen trash can dimensions filled with heavy items (like glass bottles or wet food waste) can weigh 40 to 50 pounds or more. If you have trouble lifting heavy items, opt for a smaller capacity (13-15 gallons) or choose a very sturdy can with good wheels if available.
Comparing Sizes: Small vs. Large Capacity Kitchen Trash Can Dimensions
Let’s compare the extremes of the market to help you decide.
| Feature | Small Can (e.g., 8 Gallon / 30L) | Large Can (e.g., 18 Gallon / 68L) |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Singles, couples, secondary bathrooms | Families of 4+, heavy cooking |
| Bag Change Frequency | Every 1-2 days | Every 3-4 days (or weekly) |
| Footprint | Small, fits easily under counters | Requires dedicated floor space |
| Lifting Weight (Full) | Manageable (20-30 lbs) | Heavy (40-50+ lbs) |
| Cost | Lower initial cost | Higher initial cost |
If you are still unsure after reviewing this kitchen trash can size guide, try to visualize the can in your space. Take a large cardboard box close to the dimensions listed for a 13-gallon can and place it where you want the trash can to go. This physical test is often the best way to confirm fit.
How to Calculate Kitchen Bin Volume Liters Accurately
While product specs help, sometimes you need to verify the volume yourself, especially if you are looking at custom or oddly shaped bins. Measuring kitchen trash can capacity requires simple geometry if the can is rectangular.
For a rectangular can:
Volume = Height × Width × Depth (all in inches)
Then, convert cubic inches to gallons (1 US gallon = 231 cubic inches).
For a round can (Cylinder):
Volume = $\pi$ × radius² × Height (all in inches)
Convert the result to gallons using the same 231 factor.
Remember that manufacturers usually measure the outer dimensions. The internal space will be slightly smaller due to the thickness of the plastic or metal walls. Therefore, always trust the manufacturer’s stated volume first, but use your measurements to check if it fits your physical constraints.
The Role of Dual Compartments in Size Selection
Many modern bins offer two compartments side-by-side. This feature impacts the average capacity of kitchen garbage can systems.
A common dual system might have two 8-gallon sections, totaling 16 gallons. While the footprint is that of a 16-gallon can, the waste division changes usage patterns.
- If you recycle heavily, one side fills fast.
- If you throw away few recyclables, the trash side might fill slowly.
These systems are excellent for busy homes because they allow you to manage two waste streams without needing two separate large cans taking up space.
Accessibility and Lid Operation Size
The lid mechanism affects the height of the can, which is critical if placing it under a counter lip or shelf.
- Standard Step Cans: The lid often opens several inches higher than the main body of the can. If your can sits under a shelf, ensure the lid opens freely without hitting the shelf above it. This means a can that is 25 inches tall might need 30 inches of clearance above it when stepping on the pedal.
- Motion Sensor Cans: These often have a smaller opening arc, requiring less vertical space above them.
Always verify the “Total Height Open” dimension when purchasing motion-sensor or pedal-operated bins. This detail is often missed in quick kitchen waste receptacle dimensions checks.
Conclusion: Finding Your Ideal Kitchen Can
There is no single best size for kitchen garbage can. The ideal choice balances waste output against physical space limitations.
For most busy households, the 13- to 18-gallon range offers the best mix of capacity and manageable size. Use this kitchen trash can size guide to measure your space, assess your family’s needs, and choose a liner size that matches your new can perfectly. Making this small choice carefully means fewer messy overflows and less frequent trips to the curb.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Kitchen Trash Can Sizing
What is the standard kitchen trash can size in gallons?
The standard kitchen waste bin dimensions typically fall between 13 and 18 gallons (about 50 to 68 liters) in the United States. This size works well for the average family.
Can I use a large capacity kitchen trash can if my family is small?
You can, but it might not be necessary. A large capacity kitchen trash can dimensions of 20 gallons or more is usually only beneficial for very large families or those who generate excessive amounts of non-compostable waste frequently. A very large can might also be harder to manage when lifting it for emptying.
How do I calculate my kitchen bin volume liters if my can is round?
For a round can, you must find the radius (half the diameter) and multiply it by itself (radius squared), then multiply that by the height ($\pi \times r^2 \times h$). This gives you the volume in cubic inches. Then, divide by 61.02 to convert cubic inches to liters.
Are smaller trash cans better for recycling separation?
Yes. If you use a dual system, using two smaller bins (like two 7-gallon bins) side-by-side is often better than one very large main trash bin. This keeps the recycling stream organized and prevents recyclables from contaminating the main trash volume.
What is the smallest practical kitchen garbage can size?
The smallest practical size for a primary kitchen bin is usually around 8 gallons (30 liters). Anything smaller than this often requires taking out the trash twice a day in a typical household. Smaller sizes, like 5 gallons, are best reserved for secondary uses like office trash or bathroom bins.