Demolition Debris Calculator

Estimate debris pile cubic yards, pounds and US short tons, with a volume-only dumpster suggestion and explicit hauling-limit exclusions. Calculate it clearly with Figur.

Convert a measured debris pile into volume and estimated weight

Volume in cubic feet = pile length × width × average depth, all in feet. Divide by 27 for cubic yards. Pounds = cubic yards × entered pounds per cubic yard; US short tons = pounds ÷ 2,000. Using unrounded volume, suggest 10 yd up to 10 yd³, 20 yd up to 20, 30 yd up to 30, or 40 yd up to 40. Above 40 yd³, suggest round up(volume ÷ 40) containers of 40 yd each. This selects capacity by volume only.

Method and assumptions

Cubic yards = length × width × depth ÷ 27. Pounds = cubic yards × lb/yd³; short tons = pounds ÷ 2,000. Dumpster capacity steps are 10, 20, 30 and 40 yd³; above 40 use round up(cubic yards ÷ 40) × 40 yd.

  • The pile is approximated as a rectangle at an average depth. Enter loose debris dimensions; no demolition swell or compaction factor is added.
  • Density is your estimate in lb per cubic yard, not a material-specific lookup. Tons are US short tons, not metric tonnes.
  • Displayed yards and tons have one decimal; pounds and cubic feet have no decimals. Container selection uses unrounded volume.
  • Weight caps, fill lines, heavy-material restrictions, prohibited or hazardous waste, hauling fees and permits are not evaluated. Confirm them with the hauler.

Planning takeoff, not a binding bid, structural design or engineering advice. Confirm field measurements, product coverage, installation requirements and supplier quantities before buying.

Sources and references

The result uses your inputs and the tool's documented assumptions; it does not fetch current prices, rates or products.

Worked example

A loose debris pile measures 20 × 15 ft with 2 ft average depth and an estimated density of 300 lb/cu yd.

20 × 15 × 2 = 600 cu ft; 600 ÷ 27 = 22.222… cu yd, displayed as 22.2. Weight: 6,666.667 lb, displayed as 6,667 lb; 3.333… short tons, displayed as 3.3. Suggested volume capacity: 30 yd dumpster, subject to the hauler's weight limits.

Frequently asked questions

Does the suggested dumpster meet its weight limit?

Not necessarily. Selection uses volume only. Compare estimated pounds with the hauler's weight and material restrictions before ordering.

Does it expand solid material into loose debris?

No. Measure the loose pile or supply dimensions representing the expected loose volume; no swell factor is calculated.

What happens above 40 cubic yards?

The suggestion becomes a whole number of 40-yard containers, rounded up from volume divided by 40. Actual loads still need hauler approval.

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