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Skip Sizes UK Guide

A quick, simple guide explaining the different skip sizes available in the UK.

UK Skip Sizes and Dimensions

Reliable Skip Hire provides a vast range of skip sizes to suit all of your waste disposal needs. Whether you’re clearing garden waste or undertaking a renovation project, we offer a speedy service, next day delivery (subject to availability), pre-booked collection dates and environmentally friendly disposal methods. Our size guide below includes standard measurements of each skip size, but keep in mind that these may vary slightly depending on the design and ultimately the size is determined by the cubic volume of waste you can fit in it, not the shape of the skip.

In the UK, standard skip sizes range from 4 yards to 12 yards, and our friendly customer service team are always on hand to offer support and advice. For bigger commercial skip hire jobs, we also offer Roll-on Roll-off skips (RoRos) which are 20 to 40 yard containers. Call us today on 0800 320 2110 for more information. We can help you decide on the best skip size and tell you more about our recycling policy.

Choosing your skip size depends on the type of job you have, the location which the skip will be placed and how much waste you have. The larger skip sizes typically offer better value for money as you can fit more in. As a general rule, it’s always best to over-estimate the skip size you need as it will work out cheaper than needing to hire a replacement skip (known as a skip exchange).

Skip sizes in the UK are measured by the volume of waste which is in cubic yards. This isn’t to be mistaken for the length and width of the skip despite this terminology usually being abbreviated to just ‘yards’.

The most common skip sizes are 4 yard and 6 yard skips (also known as a builder’s skip) as these are easy for you to access and fill up. Not only are these sizes more versatile, they can be used for heavy waste too such as soil or rubble. 8 yard skips can have some heavy waste, but very heavy waste such as dense rubble or soil may be too heavy. The larger skips such as 10 yard skips and 12 yard skips are for lighter, bulky waste and you may find these more difficult to lift your waste into as they are taller.

It’s important to remember that all skips, regardless of size, must be a level load. This means that the waste must not be placed higher than the tallest sides of the skip. If you overload your skip, you will incur a wasted journey charge as the skip will not be able to be safely collected.

Advice on Skip Sizes

  • Always choose a skip which is a size larger than you think you might need. It’ll work out cheaper than ordering two skips!
  • For domestic projects such as DIY, garage clearances, household and garden clearances, choose a size between 4 to 8 yards.
  • Be sure to check the Waste Restrictions with your provider as these may vary between companies.
  • If you do not have space on your property to place a skip, it may be possible to put it on the road. A permit will be required for this and you’ll need to contact us first. It’s less likely that a road permit will be granted for skips which are larger than 8 yards.
  • For large commercial projects, a RoRo skip will be the best option. These are charged based on the weight of the waste and the haulage to deliver and collect the container.
4 Yard Skip Size
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4 Yard Skip Size

If you want to remove household waste, or are clearing out your garden then our 4-yard skips are ideal. Whilst these are a smaller skip, they are easier to put waste into and they are perfect for residential projects such as bathroom/kitchen refurbishments or garden clearances.

Top tip – When filling the skip, break up any bulky items such as cabinets and boxes, which can then be placed flat into the skip. Place larger items in the skip first and then fill in the gaps with the smaller waste.

  Dimensions:

1.8m X 1.3m X 0.9m

  Capacity:

35 to 40 bin bags

  Usage:

Garden waste, spring cleans, light items, heavy items & more.

6 Yard Skip Size
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6 Yard Skip Size

Our 6 yard skips are a standard size skip designed to handle heavy objects and can be used for waste from renovation and building projects. Also known as a small builders skip, these are the largest size skip for very heavy waste such as hardcore/rubble, soil or concrete. They are perfect for larger clearances or home renovation projects and offer better value for money. Although the dimensions may vary in some areas, the internal volume is the same and is 6 cubic yards.

  Dimensions:

2.6m X 1.7m X 1m

  Capacity:

65 to 70 bin bags

  Usage:

Building waste, kitchens, bathrooms, heavy items, domestic waste, light items & more.

8 Yard Skip Size
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8 Yard Skip Size

If you need to remove a lot of bulky items, then our 8-Yard skips are perfect for holding a mixture of soil, rubble (50% max) and other general light waste. Builder’s skips are one of the most common sizes of skips you’ll see as they hold a considerable amount of waste and are still relatively easy to tip rubbish into. You can fit approximately 70-80 bin bags in an 8 yard skip, but ultimately it depends on the type of waste you have. Maximise the capacity of your skip by putting large, bulky items in first.

Top Tip – 8 yard skips are usually the largest size of skip which will be approved for a permit to go on the road. This varies by council and the best way to check is to contact us as councils will not deal with the public directly.

  Dimensions:

3.6m X 1.7m X 1.2m

  Capacity:

70 to 80 bin bags

  Usage:

Building waste, kitchens, bathrooms, heavy items, domestic waste, light items & more.

10 Yard Skip Size
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10 Yard Skip Size

10 yard skips are often in high demand for larger building projects and often can have limited availability. They offer slightly better accessibility than a 12 yard skip and are suitable for light waste. They can still be placed on a residential driveway, but be sure to check your driveway is suitable for heavy loads as some tarmac, particularly freshly laid, can imprint or damage when a heavy goods vehicle drops off or collects the skip.

  Dimensions:

3.6m X 1.8m X 1.5m

  Capacity:

90-100 bin bags

  Usage:

Light building waste, kitchens, bathrooms, garden waste, heavier items (exc. very heavy items such as full loads of soil/rubble), domestic waste, light items & more.

12 Yard Skip Size
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12 Yard Skip Size

If you want a cost-effective solution and have a lot of waste to dispose of, then our 12-yard skips are the best solution for building projects. They are the largest standard skip size available and the next size up would be a 20-40 yard container. This makes 12 yard skips suitable for large domestic projects such as kitchen refurbishments, garden waste (exc. lots of soil/rubble) and general clearances. They are often used for bulky items when clearing an office. You may find that a permit is not approved on the road, so please check with us before placing an order.

  Dimensions:

3.7m X 1.7m X 1.8m

  Capacity:

110-120 bin bags

  Usage:

Building waste, kitchens, bathrooms, heavy items (exc. full loads of soil/rubble), domestic waste, light items & more.

Skip Size Comparison

If you’ve never hired a skip before, it can be difficult to tell which size skip is best for your needs. Whilst we give indications of how many bin bags you can fit in a skip, the diagram below may help you to compare skip sizes when standing next to an average height person. Keep in mind, that some skip dimensions can be slightly different, but they all hold a set cubic yard amount.

Skip Size Comparison

Advice on Skip Sizes

  • Always choose a skip which is a size larger than you think you might need. It’ll work out cheaper than ordering two skips!
  • For domestic projects such as DIY, garage clearances, household and garden clearances, choose a size between 4 to 8 yards.
  • Be sure to check the Waste Restrictions with your provider as these may vary between companies.
  • If you do not have space on your property to place a skip, it may be possible to put it on the road. A permit will be required for this and you’ll need to contact us first. It’s less likely that a road permit will be granted for skips which are larger than 8 yards.
  • For large commercial projects, a RoRo skip will be the best option. These are charged based on the weight of the waste and the haulage to deliver and collect the container.
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