What this calculator works out
This calculator multiplies three dimensions to give the volume of a rectangular container in litres.
It calculates a box. Wheelie bins taper towards the base and lose space to the lid recess, so a bin's real capacity is typically around 60% of the figure its external dimensions suggest.
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Before you use the figure
- Measure internal dimensions where you can. External measurements include the wall thickness and any moulding.
- For a tapered container, measure at the midpoint of the height for a closer approximation than the widest point.
- Standard UK wheelie bins are labelled with their capacity — commonly 140, 180, 240 or 360 litres — so measuring is rarely necessary.
- The calculation suits storage boxes, water containers, planters and skips better than it suits domestic bins.
Wheelie bins are moulded with a taper so they stack and tip cleanly, and the lid sits into a recess rather than on top. Both reduce usable volume. Measuring the outside of a 240 litre bin typically gives something over 400 litres, which is the box it would occupy rather than the volume it holds.
How this calculator works
Three dimensions multiplied and converted:
Litres = length × width × height ÷ 1,000
All dimensions in centimetresDividing by 1,000 converts cubic centimetres to litres. For a tapered container, taking the average of the top and bottom dimensions before multiplying gives a much closer figure than using either alone.
Worked example: a wheelie bin
Using the default figures — 70 cm by 55 cm by 105 cm:
- Box volume: 404.25 litres
Those are roughly the external dimensions of a standard 240 litre bin, and 404 litres is roughly 68% more than it holds. The gap is the taper, the wall thickness and the lid recess. It is a useful demonstration that a box volume and a container's capacity are different quantities — and a reminder to read the label rather than measure.
Common mistakes
- Using external dimensions. They include walls, mouldings and handles.
- Applying it to a tapered container without averaging. The result is substantially too high.
- Measuring a bin that is already labelled. The label is more accurate.
- Forgetting the lid recess. Bins cannot be filled to the rim and still close.
- Confusing capacity with what a collection will accept. Most councils will not empty an overfull bin.
Frequently asked questions
What size are UK wheelie bins?
Most commonly 240 litres for general waste, with 140 and 180 litre bins used where councils want to reduce residual waste and 360 litres for larger households or shared properties. Councils publish their own bin sizes and many will supply a larger or additional bin on request in defined circumstances.
What if my bin is always full?
Most councils have a process for requesting a larger bin or an additional one, usually based on household size or specific circumstances such as medical waste or nappies. Increasing recycling is normally the first step they suggest, since recycling capacity is often separate from residual waste capacity.
Will the bin be emptied if the lid is open?
Frequently not. Most councils require the lid to close fully, both because overfull bins spill during tipping and because the lifting mechanism can fail. Side waste — bags left next to the bin — is also commonly refused. Policies vary, so check locally.
How do I work out a non-rectangular container?
For a cylinder, multiply π by the radius squared by the height. For a tapered container, average the top and bottom dimensions before multiplying. For anything genuinely irregular, filling it with a known volume of water is more reliable than any calculation.
Is what I enter stored?
No. Measurements are processed in your browser and never transmitted or retained.
Related tools
References
- GOV.UK — household waste collection duties and recycling policy
- MoneyHelper — guidance on household costs and council services
Sources are checked at publication and can change — how I choose and check references.