Kitchen Trash Can Size Chart: Gallons, Liters, and Real Dimensions

Why Capacity Numbers Mislead

The 13-gallon can is the baseline for most American kitchens because it matches the standard kitchen bag size sold in grocery stores. In liters, that same can is usually labeled 49 or 50 liters, though some brands round up to 52. The difference comes from whether the manufacturer measures the outer body or the interior liner.

If you buy a can in liters, remember that 1 gallon equals about 3.785 liters. A 50-liter can is roughly 13.2 gallons, so it takes the same 13-gallon bags. A 60-liter can is about 15.9 gallons and needs a 16-gallon bag, which is less common in stores.

Myth: A Bigger Can Means Fewer Trips

The common belief is that upsizing from 13 to 20 gallons halves your trips to the outdoor bin. In practice, most people take the trash out when it smells, when the bag is heavy, or when the can is visibly full—not when it reaches a specific volume. A larger can simply accumulates more waste before you notice it, which means odor and fruit flies have more time to develop.

Heavy bags are the other hidden cost. A 13-gallon bag of mixed kitchen waste typically weighs 10 to 15 pounds. A 20-gallon bag can weigh 20 to 25 pounds, which is uncomfortable to carry and more likely to tear at the handles. If you have back issues or a long walk to the curb, the smaller can is often the better trade.

The reality is that trip frequency depends more on how often you cook and how quickly organic waste smells than on can volume. Households that cook daily and discard meat scraps will still empty a 20-gallon can every two days; households that eat out often may empty a 13-gallon can only twice a week.

Myth: All 13-Gallon Cans Fit Under the Sink

A 13-gallon can is the standard recommendation for under-sink placement, but the label alone does not guarantee a fit. Many 13-gallon cans are 27 to 28 inches tall, which is too tall for a sink base with a drawer or a garbage disposal unit mounted underneath. You need to measure the interior height of the cabinet, accounting for the plumbing trap and the floor of the cabinet, which is often recessed.

The width matters just as much. A round 13-gallon can has a diameter of about 12 to 13 inches, which fits in a standard 36-inch sink base. A rectangular 13-gallon can may be 15 inches wide and 11 inches deep, which fits a wider cabinet but can block the sink drain pipe. Measure the clear floor area after the plumbing is in place, then subtract an inch on every side for the bag and the lid hinge.

For under-sink use, a 7- to 10-gallon slim can is often the practical choice. It holds a standard small kitchen bag and leaves room for cleaning supplies. If you prefer a 13-gallon can, look for one labeled “under-counter” or “low profile,” which usually means a height of 24 inches or less.

• Measure cabinet interior height from the floor to the underside of the counter.
• Measure the clear floor width and depth after the plumbing trap is in place.
• Subtract 1 inch from each dimension for bag overhang and lid clearance.
• Check the bag size the can is designed for—do not assume 13-gallon bags fit a 10-gallon can.

Myth: Liters and Gallons Are Interchangeable on the Label

Retailers often list both gallons and liters, but the conversion is not always accurate. Some brands round up or down to hit a familiar number: a 13-gallon can becomes “50 liters” even though the true value is 49.2, and a 20-gallon can may be labeled “75 liters” instead of 75.7. The rounding rarely changes which bag size you need, but it can confuse comparisons between two cans that look similar.

The bigger mismatch is between advertised capacity and real bag fit. A can rated at 13 gallons may accept a 13-gallon bag only if the bag is pulled up over the rim. If the can has a rigid inner bucket or a lid that closes flush, you may need a 10-gallon bag to get a clean fit. When in doubt, bring a bag to the store and test it, or check the product dimensions against the bag's own dimensions.

For international readers, note that European brands often label cans in liters with metric dimensions, while U.S. brands use gallons and inches. A 30-liter can is about 7.9 gallons and roughly 14 inches tall, which is a useful mid-size for a small kitchen. A 50-liter can is the European equivalent of the U.S. 13-gallon standard.

Myth: A Slim Can Saves More Space Than a Round One

Slim rectangular cans are marketed as space-savers, but they only help in specific layouts. A slim can that is 8 inches wide and 20 inches tall holds about 7 gallons and fits in a narrow gap beside a refrigerator. A round can of the same height has a diameter of about 10 inches and holds roughly 10 gallons. The round can takes up more floor area but holds more waste per inch of height.

The real space question is about the cabinet or corner you are filling. A slim can fits beside a cabinet or in a narrow pantry, but it is unstable when full and tips over easily if you push it. A round can sits more securely but wastes the corner space behind it. For a pull-out cabinet system, a rectangular can matches the drawer shape better than a round one.

If your goal is maximum capacity in a small footprint, compare the can's width and depth against its volume, not just its width. A 13-gallon rectangular can that is 14 inches wide and 12 inches deep holds more than a 13-gallon round can that is 12 inches in diameter, but the rectangular one needs a wider cabinet. Measure the actual opening, then choose the shape that fits without leaving a dead zone.