How to Choose the Right Trash Can Size for Your Kitchen

Start with the two numbers that matter: footprint and volume

Choosing a trash can size comes down to two measurements: the floor or cabinet space you can spare, and the volume of waste your household produces in a typical week. Most people start with the can they already own and guess, which leads to a bin that is either too large to fit comfortably or too small to last a day. Measuring both numbers takes about ten minutes and removes the guesswork.

The footprint is the limiting factor. A 13-gallon (about 49-liter) step can is roughly 26 inches tall and 16 inches wide, which fits beside most standard counter runs but can crowd a galley kitchen. A 7-gallon (26-liter) under-sink model is about 20 inches tall and 12 inches wide, sized for the base cabinet below the sink. Before considering volume, measure the width, depth, and height of the space where the can will live, including clearance for opening a lid or stepping on a pedal.

Volume matters because it determines how often you empty the can. A single person cooking at home might fill a 5-gallon (19-liter) bin every three to four days, while a family of four that cooks daily can fill 13 gallons (49 liters) in two days. The goal is a can that holds at least a day of waste, ideally two, without becoming a breeding ground for odors or fruit flies. If you are emptying daily, the can is too small; if bags tear from weight, it is too large.

Estimate your weekly waste volume with a simple audit

To match the can to your waste, measure what you actually throw away rather than guessing. For three to seven days, collect your kitchen trash in a clear plastic bag inside a temporary container such as a cardboard box or a bucket. At the end of the period, estimate the bag's volume by comparing it to a known container: a standard kitchen trash bag holds about 13 gallons (49 liters) when full, a grocery bag holds about 1 gallon (3.8 liters).

Count the number of full bags and partial fills, then divide by the number of days to get a daily average. For example, if you fill one 13-gallon bag every three days, that is about 4.3 gallons (16 liters) per day. Multiply by 7 for a weekly total of about 30 gallons (114 liters). This number is your starting point for choosing a can size, but you also need to account for how often you want to take out the trash.

• Collect trash for 3–7 days in a temporary container.
• Estimate each bag's volume using a known reference (e.g., a 13-gallon kitchen bag).
• Divide total volume by days to get a daily average.
• Multiply the daily average by the number of days you want between emptying.

Match the can to your daily volume and emptying rhythm

Once you know your daily volume, decide how often you want to empty the can. A good target is every two to three days for most households, which balances convenience with odor control. Multiply your daily volume by the days between emptying to get the minimum can capacity. For instance, if you produce 4 gallons (15 liters) per day and want to empty every two days, you need at least 8 gallons (30 liters) of capacity.

Then add a buffer of about 20 percent so the can does not become overstuffed or difficult to tie off. In the example, 8 gallons plus 20 percent is about 9.6 gallons (36 liters), so a 10-gallon (38-liter) can would work. If your daily volume is higher, say 6 gallons (23 liters) per day, a two-day target means a 12-gallon (45-liter) can, which is a common size for family kitchens.

If you prefer to empty daily, you can use a smaller can, such as a 5-gallon (19-liter) model, which is easier to lift and tuck under a sink. But daily emptying increases bag use and trips to the outdoor bin. Most households find that a can sized for two to three days strikes the best balance, and that is what the worked example below will show.

Worked example: a two-person household with a 30-inch cabinet bay

Let's apply the method to a real scenario. A couple lives in a two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen that has a 30-inch-wide base cabinet next to the stove. They cook dinner at home five nights a week, pack lunches, and recycle separately. They want a single trash can that sits on the floor in that cabinet bay, with a swing lid that opens easily.

First, they measure the space: the bay is 30 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 34 inches tall from floor to countertop. They note that a can wider than 18 inches would leave little room for a recycling bin or a step stool, so they set a width limit of 16 inches. They also need the can to be no taller than 32 inches so the lid can open under the counter overhang.

Next, they audit their waste. Over five days, they fill one 13-gallon kitchen bag about 60 percent full each time, which is roughly 7.8 gallons (29.5 liters) per bag. That's about 39 gallons (147 liters) over five days, or 7.8 gallons (29.5 liters) per day. They want to empty every two days, so they need a can of at least 15.6 gallons (59 liters) plus a 20 percent buffer, which comes to about 18.7 gallons (71 liters).

A 20-gallon (76-liter) can is available, but it is 22 inches wide and 30 inches tall, which would fit the width limit but leave only 8 inches of space in the bay. They decide that is too tight for comfortable access, so they compromise: they will empty every day and a half, meaning they need about 11.7 gallons (44 liters) plus buffer, or about 14 gallons (53 liters). A 13-gallon (49-liter) step can is 16 inches wide, fits the bay, and with daily-to-every-other-day emptying, it works. They choose the 13-gallon model and adjust their routine to take the bag out when it is about three-quarters full.

Adjust for kitchen layout, odor control, and special waste

Your kitchen layout can override the volume math. If your only available spot is under the sink, you are limited to about 7 gallons (26 liters) in most base cabinets, which means more frequent emptying. If you have a deep pantry or a pull-out cabinet, you might fit a taller 13-gallon (49-liter) can. Measure the interior of the cabinet, not just the opening, and account for plumbing pipes that reduce usable width.

Odor control also factors into size. Larger cans hold more waste for longer, which can mean stronger smells, especially in warm weather or if you throw away food scraps. If you do not compost, consider a can with a carbon filter or a lid that seals tightly, but remember that a smaller can emptied more often often smells less than a large one emptied rarely. You can also keep a small countertop compost bin for smelly scraps to extend the life of your main can.

Special waste like diapers, cat litter, or meat packaging may warrant a dedicated smaller can with a lid, separate from your main kitchen bin. For example, a 2-gallon (7.5-liter) pail with a step pedal can sit on the counter or under a desk for diapers, keeping the main can from becoming a biohazard. This separation lets you choose a main can that fits your regular waste volume without overcompensating for occasional bulky items.

Test the fit before you buy: a quick checklist

Before purchasing, use a tape measure and a cardboard box to simulate the can's dimensions. Place the box in the intended spot and check that you can open the lid fully, step on the pedal without hitting the cabinet, and pull the bag out easily. Also verify that the can's height allows you to see inside when the lid is open; a can that is too tall can be awkward to use.

Bring your measurements and your weekly volume estimate to the store or compare online. Note the can's stated capacity in gallons or liters, but remember that actual usable volume is slightly less because bags take up space. A 13-gallon can typically holds about 11 gallons of trash before the bag is too full to tie. Factor that into your calculation, and if you are between sizes, choose the larger one, provided it fits your space.

• Measure the space: width, depth, height, and clearance for lid/pedal.
• Simulate the can with a cardboard box of the same dimensions.
• Check that you can lift the bag out without snagging.
• Compare stated capacity to your needed volume plus a 20% buffer.
• If between sizes, choose the larger can that still fits comfortably.