A standard kitchen trash can size is typically between 10 and 13 gallons. Choosing the right garbage can capacity gallons for your kitchen is key to managing waste effectively. This guide will help you figure out the standard kitchen trash can volume that fits your family’s needs. We will explore 13 gallon trash can dimensions, help you pick the best trash bin size for kitchen use, and show you how big is a kitchen garbage can usually? Finding the best kitchen trash can size makes life easier. We will also look at smaller options like a 10 gallon trash can size and provide a helpful trash can capacity chart to aid in determining trash can volume.
Why Trash Can Size Matters in Your Kitchen
Picking the right trash can size is more than just a quick choice. It impacts how often you take out the trash. It also affects how clean your kitchen looks. A can that is too small fills up fast. You end up tying bags often. A can that is too big might take up too much floor space. You need a good fit for your space and your family’s waste habits.
Family Size and Waste Production
The number of people living in your home is the biggest factor. More people mean more food scraps, more packaging, and more trash overall.
- One or Two People: A smaller can works well. You might be fine with a 10-gallon size or even less if you recycle a lot.
- Three to Four People (Average Family): This is where the standard sizes shine. A 13-gallon can is often perfect for this group. It lasts a day or two between changes.
- Five or More People (Large Family): You will likely need a larger can, perhaps 18 gallons or more. Or, you will need to take the trash out daily with a 13-gallon can.
Cooking Habits Influence Size
How much you cook changes your trash needs. If you cook every meal from scratch, you generate more food waste. Think about vegetable peels and meat scraps.
- Heavy Cooking: If you cook often, you need a bigger volume. You need space for food waste that might sit for a day before going out.
- Eating Out Often: If you eat out a lot, your kitchen trash fills up slower. A smaller garbage can capacity gallons might work well for you.
Deciphering Standard Kitchen Trash Can Volumes
When shopping, you see many sizes listed in gallons. Knowing what these numbers mean in real life is important. Here is a breakdown of common sizes you will find for kitchens.
The Popular 13 Gallon Can
The 13 gallon trash can is the reigning champion for kitchens across the United States. Why is it so popular?
- Perfect Fit for Liners: This size matches the standard kitchen trash can volume for the tall, thin garbage bags sold everywhere. You buy a box of “kitchen bags,” and they are almost always made for 13 gallons.
- Space Efficiency: A 13-gallon can usually has a narrow footprint. This means it fits well beside counters or under sinks without blocking the way.
- Capacity Match: For an average family of four, a 13-gallon can often lasts about 24 to 36 hours. This is a good balance between taking out the trash frequently and letting it pile up.
We can look at typical 13 gallon trash can dimensions to see how they fit:
| Dimension Type | Typical Range (Inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 24 to 28 inches | Depends on the lid type (step-on vs. touch-top). |
| Width (Front to Back) | 14 to 17 inches | This is the depth measurement. |
| Width (Side to Side) | 14 to 17 inches | This is the width measurement. |
These dimensions show why they fit well in standard kitchen layouts. They are usually square or slightly rectangular.
Exploring the 10 Gallon Option
The 10 gallon trash can size is smaller than the standard. It is a great choice in certain situations.
- Small Spaces: If you live in a small apartment or have very little space under your cabinets, 10 gallons might be necessary.
- Minimal Waste Homes: Great for one person or couples who compost heavily. If most food waste goes to a compost bin, the main trash fills slowly.
- Secondary Bins: Sometimes, a 10-gallon can is used as a secondary bin, perhaps just for non-recyclable packaging, while food scraps go elsewhere.
A 10-gallon can usually means taking out the trash every day for a standard family.
Moving Beyond 13 Gallons
If 13 gallons is not enough, you might look at 18-gallon or even 21-gallon cans.
- 18 Gallons: This is often the biggest size people place inside the kitchen. It is bulky. It works best in very large kitchens or for families generating huge amounts of trash.
- Warning: Cans larger than 18 gallons often feel too big for the kitchen. They might require using very large, heavy garbage bags that are hard to lift and change. These larger sizes are often better suited for utility rooms or garages.
Factors Influencing Your Trash Bin Size for Kitchen Choice
Beyond the number of people, other things affect how big is a kitchen garbage can you need. Thinking about these details helps you select the best kitchen trash can size.
Recycling Habits
This is a major factor in determining trash can volume.
- High Recycling: If you recycle almost everything—cardboard, bottles, cans, paper—your main trash bin fills up much slower. You can comfortably use a smaller can, like a 10-gallon one.
- Low Recycling: If you throw everything into one bin, even recyclables, you need the largest size possible for your space. The 13-gallon standard is usually the minimum in this scenario.
Composting Practices
Food waste takes up a lot of space in a regular trash can.
- Active Composter: People who keep a dedicated countertop pail for food scraps and empty it into a large outdoor compost bin daily or every other day will see a huge reduction in their main kitchen trash volume.
- No Composting: If all food scraps go into the main bin, you must size up or be prepared for daily bag changes, even with a 13-gallon container.
Kitchen Layout and Footprint
You must look at your physical space. A huge can looks silly and causes tripping hazards if it does not fit well.
- Narrow Spaces: If the only spot is between the island and the wall, measure that space carefully. Many high-end cans are designed to be tall and narrow to maximize capacity while minimizing floor footprint.
- Under-Cabinet Space: If you want to slide the can under a counter lip, check the height. A step-on lid needs clearance above it to open fully.
Lid Type Affects Usable Volume
The lid mechanism affects how much you can actually put in the can.
- Step-On Cans: These lids lift straight up. They offer the best usable space for the listed garbage can capacity gallons.
- Motion Sensor/Touchless Cans: These often have slightly more complex hinges or sensor housing, which can slightly reduce the maximum fill line compared to a simple step-on lid of the exact same stated volume.
Creating Your Own Trash Can Capacity Chart
To help you decide, a visual trash can capacity chart comparing volume, estimated capacity in inches, and suitability is very helpful. This helps with determining trash can volume based on real-world needs.
| Gallon Size | Approximate Height (Inches) | Best For | Average Bag Life (4-Person Home) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Gallon | 18 – 22 | Small Apartments, Office Use | Less than 1 day | Too small for most kitchens. |
| 10 Gallon | 22 – 26 | Singles, Couples, Heavy Composters | 1 to 1.5 days | Good secondary bin size. |
| 13 Gallon | 24 – 28 | Standard Family (3-4 people) | 1.5 to 2 days | The common standard. |
| 18 Gallon | 28 – 32 | Large Families, Heavy Waste Generators | 2 to 3 days | Can be bulky for standard kitchens. |
| 23 Gallon+ | 30+ | Utility Rooms, Garage Use | Multiple days | Too large for typical kitchen use. |
Note: Heights are generalized and depend heavily on the specific design of the trash can.
Converting Gallons to Physical Space
Sometimes, you might find a can listed in liters or cubic feet, not gallons. A simple conversion helps.
1 Gallon is approximately 3.785 Liters.
If you measure the inside of a space you have available (Length x Width x Height in inches) and multiply those numbers, you get cubic inches.
- Formula Tip: 1 US Gallon is about 231 cubic inches.
- To find the capacity: (Total Interior Cubic Inches) / 231 = Gallon Capacity.
This calculation helps when you are customizing a cabinet space for a built-in bin, ensuring you maximize the available space while determining trash can volume accurately.
Special Considerations for the Standard Kitchen Trash Can Volume
While 13 gallons is the norm, certain features can make one 13-gallon can better than another for your specific needs.
Step-On vs. Sensor Lids
This choice impacts daily use and hygiene.
- Step-On (Manual): These are generally durable and reliable. They are often cheaper than sensor models. You must touch the pedal, but not the lid itself.
- Sensor/Touchless: These are excellent for hygiene. You don’t touch anything. However, they require batteries. If the batteries die, the lid might stay shut, causing frustration when your hands are full of messy scraps.
Material Matters
Kitchen cans are usually plastic or stainless steel.
- Plastic: Lighter weight, easier to move for cleaning. Less expensive. Can sometimes stain or retain odors more easily than steel.
- Stainless Steel: Very durable and looks sleek. Resists odors better and is easy to wipe clean. Higher cost. Fingerprints can be a major downside unless you buy fingerprint-resistant finishes.
Odor Control Features
A kitchen trash can is right next to where you eat! Odor control is vital.
- Sealed Lids: Cans with tight-sealing lids trap smells much better than simple open-top bins.
- Charcoal Filters: Many modern cans, especially those made by premium brands, include a small compartment for activated charcoal filters. These passively absorb odors, making a noticeable difference, especially if you don’t take the trash out daily.
Liner Ring Technology
This feature relates to the usability of your chosen kitchen trash can size.
- Liner Rings (or Bag Rings): These specialized rings hold the top edge of the trash bag in place. They keep the bag from slipping down into the can when you toss items in. This means you can fill the bag right to the very top edge, maximizing the usable volume, even if the can is technically 13 gallons. This is crucial for getting full value out of your garbage can capacity gallons.
Sizing for Specific Kitchen Scenarios
Let’s apply this knowledge to different home setups to find the perfect fit.
The Small City Apartment Kitchen
In cramped spaces, every inch counts. You might not have room for a wide, standard 13-gallon unit.
- Recommendation: Look for “slim” or “tall and narrow” designs. A 10-gallon can might be the maximum width you can fit. If you compost heavily, this is easy to manage.
- Focus: Prioritize floor space over maximum capacity. You want a can that opens and closes easily without hitting cabinets.
The Busy Suburban Family Home
This is the target audience for the 13-gallon model.
- Recommendation: Stick with the 13-gallon size. If you generate a lot of paper trash (kids’ projects, mail), consider a dual-compartment system. Some newer models offer a built-in section for recycling alongside the main trash area, often keeping the total footprint close to that of a standard 13-gallon unit.
- Focus: Durability and ease of lid operation (a good step pedal lasts longer).
The Gourmet Kitchen with Frequent Entertaining
When you host large gatherings, trash builds up quickly.
- Recommendation: You might need two cans. Use a 13-gallon can inside the kitchen for immediate scraps. Place a larger 18-gallon can in a nearby utility closet or pantry, easily accessible but out of the main traffic flow, reserved for party waste.
- Focus: Capacity for short bursts of high volume waste.
Maintaining Your Trash Can: Cleaning and Longevity
Choosing the right trash bin size for kitchen is only half the battle. Keeping it clean ensures it lasts and doesn’t smell up your space.
Regular Cleaning Schedule
Even with bags, spills happen. Odors cling to the plastic or metal walls.
- Weekly Wipe Down: Once a week, remove the bag and wipe down the inside walls and the lid mechanism with warm, soapy water.
- Monthly Deep Clean: Take the can outside. Spray it with a mixture of water and vinegar or a mild disinfectant. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Scrub well and rinse thoroughly. Let it dry completely in the sun if possible, as sunlight helps kill bacteria.
Dealing with Odors Between Changes
If your trash bag leaks between changes, the lingering smell needs attention.
- Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the empty can before inserting a new bag. Baking soda is a great, cheap odor absorber.
- Ensure your can lid seals tightly. A gap lets smells escape, defeating the purpose of having a closed container.
FAQ Section
What is the most common kitchen trash can size in gallons?
The most common kitchen trash can size in the US is 13 gallons. This size aligns perfectly with the standard tall kitchen trash bags sold in stores.
Can I use a 5-gallon trash can in my kitchen?
Yes, you can use a 5-gallon can, but it is generally too small for most households. It is only suitable for a single person who generates almost no waste or as a small compost collector. For an average family, a 5-gallon can would need to be emptied multiple times a day.
How do I figure out the garbage can capacity gallons if I only know the dimensions?
To roughly estimate the gallon capacity, first measure the interior length, width, and height of the can in inches. Multiply these three numbers together to get the cubic inches. Then, divide that total by 231 (since 1 US gallon equals 231 cubic inches). This gives you the approximate gallon volume.
Is a 10 gallon trash can size big enough for two people?
A 10 gallon trash can size is often adequate for two people, especially if one or both people are diligent about recycling and composting. If you cook heavily or do not recycle much, you might find yourself changing the bag daily.
What is the difference between a 13 gallon and 18 gallon can in terms of daily use?
A 13-gallon can is typically slim enough to hide easily and fits standard bags perfectly. An 18-gallon can offers significantly more volume—about 38% more—but it is much wider and taller, demanding more floor space in the kitchen. The extra space usually means fewer changes per week.
What makes finding the best kitchen trash can size so important?
The best kitchen trash can size balances capacity with physical space. If it is too small, you deal with constant overflowing. If it is too large, it clutters your kitchen and makes bag changing difficult. Finding the right fit prevents mess and improves kitchen workflow.