Picking the right skip can feel tricky. If you choose one that is too small, you run out of space halfway through the job. If you choose one that is too big, you pay for space you never use.
This skip size guide explains skip sizes in the UK in plain terms. It shows how much each skip holds, how big it is and which jobs it suits best, so you can book the right skip the first time.
How Are Skip Sizes Measured in the UK?
In the UK, skips are measured in cubic yards. One cubic yard is a box just under 1 metre long, 1 metre wide and 1 metre tall.
Cubic yards can be hard to picture, so most people think about skips in bin bags instead. As a rough guide, one cubic yard holds about 10 full black bin bags. A 4-yard skip holds about 40 bags, and a 12-yard skip holds about 120 bags.
Skip Sizes UK: Quick Comparison Table
| Skip size | Holds about | Length | Width | Height | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 yard mini skip | 20 bin bags | 1.8m | 1.2m | 0.9m | Garden tidy-ups, DIY jobs and spring cleaning |
| 4 yard skip | 40 bin bags | 2m | 1.5m | 1.2m | Clearing out a room, small building jobs and light rubble |
| 5 yard skip | 50 bin bags | 2.3m | 1.5m | 1.2m | Medium garden projects and larger household clear-outs |
| 6 yard skip | 60 bin bags | 2.4m | 1.7m | 1.2m | Home renovations and bigger clear-outs |
| 8 yard skip | 80 bin bags | 2.6m | 1.7m | 1.5m | Large garden clearances and office or shop clear-outs |
| 10 yard skip | 100 bin bags | 3m | 1.9m | 1.5m | Major home clearances and building work |
| 12 yard skip | 120 bin bags | 3.2m | 2m | 1.7m | Big renovations and office or warehouse clearances |
| 14 yard skip | 140 bin bags | 3.4m | 2.1m | 1.8m | Large home or office renovations |
| 16 yard skip | 160 bin bags | 3.6m | 2.2m | 1.8m | Major building, commercial and site clearances |
All sizes are approximate and can vary slightly from skip to skip.
Small Skips: 2 to 4 Yards
Small skips are perfect for small jobs around the home. They fit onto most driveways and take up very little space, which makes them a good choice if you do not have much room.
A 2 yard mini skip holds around 20 bin bags. It works well for a garden tidy-up, a small DIY project or a clear-out of the shed. It can also take small amounts of soil, concrete and rubble. Our 2 yard skip hire is a popular choice for homeowners who want to get rid of waste quickly without paying for a large skip.
A 4 yard skip gives you double the space. It is a good size for clearing out a room, getting rid of old furniture or tidying up after a small building job.
Medium Skips: 5 to 8 Yards
Medium skips are a good all-rounder for bigger jobs at home. They suit kitchen and bathroom refits, larger garden projects and full clear-outs of a loft or garage.
The 6 yard skip is especially useful because it is the largest size councils allow on the road. If you do not have a driveway and need the skip placed outside your home, 6 yard skip hire gives you the most space you can get with a road permit.
An 8 yard skip holds around 80 bin bags. It is often used by builders and for large garden clearances, as well as office and shop clear-outs.
Large Skips: 10 to 16 Yards
Large skips are made for big projects. These include major home renovations, full house clearances, building work and commercial jobs.
A 10 yard skip holds around 100 bin bags and suits major home clearances and building work. If you are clearing out an office, a warehouse or a whole house, 12-yard skip hire gives you room for about 120 bin bags of waste.
The 14 and 16-yard skips are the biggest standard skips. They are best for large sites and commercial work. For even bigger jobs, roll-on/roll-off skips go from 20 up to 40 yards.
There is one important rule to remember with large skips. Skips bigger than 10 yards cannot be filled with mud, soil or hardcore. These materials are very heavy, and a large skip full of them would be too heavy for the lorry to lift safely. If you have lots of heavy waste, choose a smaller skip or book more than one.
What Size Skip Do I Need for My Job?
| Job | Suggested skip size |
|---|---|
| Garden tidy-up or shed clear-out | 2 to 4 yards |
| Clearing out a single room | 4 yard |
| Kitchen or bathroom refit | 6 to 8 yards |
| Full house clearance | 8 to 12 yards |
| Large garden clearance or landscaping | 8 to 10 yards |
| Office or warehouse clearance | 10 to 16 yards |
| Building or demolition work with heavy rubble | Up to 10 yards |
This is only a rough guide. Every job is different, so it is always worth talking to us if you are unsure.
Things to Check Before You Book
Where Will the Skip Go?
Think about where the skip will sit before you choose a size. Our lorries need a gap of at least 3.05 metres (10 feet) wide to get onto your driveway. The space must also be clear of low trees and power lines.
Some driveways, such as block paving and soft tarmac, can be damaged by a heavy skip. Our drivers take great care, but it is worth keeping this in mind.
Do You Need a Permit?
If the skip is going on your own driveway or garden, you do not need a permit. If it needs to go on the road, you will need a permit from your local council. You can find out more about how to apply for a skip permit on the GOV.UK website.
We can apply for the permit for you. It usually takes around 10 days, so plan ahead. Remember that the biggest skip allowed on the road is a 6-yard skip.
What Are You Throwing Away?
Most everyday waste can go in a skip. This includes wood, metal, glass, plastic, paper, cardboard, furniture and garden waste. Bricks, soil, rubble and concrete are fine too, as long as the skip is 10 yards or smaller.
Some items are not allowed in a skip because they are dangerous or need special handling. These include fridges and freezers, gas bottles, lithium-ion batteries, asbestos, tyres, oils, petrol and diesel, and paint tins that are not empty.
How Full Can the Skip Be?
A skip must be level loaded. This means waste should not stick up above the sides. An overfilled skip is not safe to lift onto the lorry, and you may have to pay extra to have the waste removed.
Top Tips for Choosing the Right Skip Size
If in doubt, go one size up. A slightly bigger skip almost always costs less than hiring a second skip later.
Break things down. Take apart furniture and flatten boxes to save space.
Put heavy and flat items in first. Load bricks, rubble and flat panels at the bottom, then fill the gaps with lighter waste.
Think about the whole job. Include everything you plan to throw away, not just what you can see today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size skip do builders use?
Builders most often use an 8-yard skip, which holds around 80 bin bags, but for heavy rubble they stick to 10 yards or smaller.
What size skip for a 3-seater sofa?
A 4 to 6 yard skip is usually big enough for a 3-seater sofa, with room left for other waste.
Will a double mattress fit in a 4 yard skip?
Yes, a double mattress will fit in a 4-yard skip, but you may need to fold or bend it slightly to keep it level with the sides.
What size skip is considered small?
Skips from 2 to 4 yards are thought of as small, and they hold about 20 to 40 bin bags.
How much is the cheapest skip to hire?
The 2 yard mini skip is the cheapest skip to hire, and the price depends on your postcode and your type of waste, so ask Clearaway for a quote.
What size skip do I need for a garage clearance?
A 4 to 6 yard skip suits most single garage clearances, and an 8 yard skip is better for a full double garage.
Still Not Sure What Size Skip You Need?
Choosing the right skip does not have to be hard. Tell us about your job, what you are throwing away and where the skip will go, and our friendly team will suggest the best size for you.
Call Clearaway today on 01268 520166 or book your skip online. We deliver across Essex and aim to recycle as much of your waste as possible.
