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Skip size helper

Measure your pile in metres, or start from a typical job. We convert it to cubic metres and cubic yards, suggest a skip size, and flag weight and plasterboard rules. Price ranges are estimates, not quotes.

Your pile

Start from a typical job, or enter measurements

Typical job sizes are starting points used in UK skip-hire tables, not a measurement of your pile. Enter dimensions if you can.

How skip sizes work

UK skips are sold in cubic yards. 1 cubic yard is exactly 0.764554857984 cubic metres (because 1 yard is 0.9144 metres). Firms often say a yard holds about 10 bin bags.

SkipVolumeTypical published price, inc. VAT
2-yard mini2 yd³ · about 20 bags£130 to £190 (avg £159)
4-yard midi4 yd³ · about 40 bags£190 to £258 (avg £220)
6-yard6 yd³ · about 60 bags£230 to £320 (avg £279)
8-yard builder’s8 yd³ · about 80 bags£281 to £360 (avg £322)
10-yard10 yd³ · about 100 bags£359 to £403 (avg £384)
12-yard12 yd³ · about 120 bags£390 to £468 (avg £432)
14-yard14 yd³ · about 140 bags£420 to £515 (avg £470)
16-yard jumbo16 yd³ · about 160 bags£440 to £550 (avg £495)

Estimates from the Less.co.uk Skip Hire Price Survey 2026, published prices on 29 October 2026, including VAT. The range is the middle 50% of published prices. A council permit is extra if the skip goes on the road. Source.

Weight and plasterboard

We do not quote a single weight in kilograms for your pile, because soil, rubble and household junk have very different densities, and wet or packed material is heavier. A cubic metre of soil or rubble can weigh well over a tonne, so a skip’s weight limit often comes first.

Most hire firms only take heavy waste in skips of about 6 yards or smaller. Some treat a 4-yard skip filled to about two-thirds as the maximum for soil only. These are typical firm practices, not a government size cap — always ask when you book.

Plasterboard must go separately. In England, gypsum-based waste must not go to a landfill cell that also takes biodegradable waste, and should be separated for reuse or recovery. See GOV.UK, Dispose of waste to landfill.

A skip on the road

If the skip will sit on a public road, you or the skip firm need a council skip licence (also called a skip permit). You do not need one if the skip is entirely on private land. You cannot put a skip on the pavement. In most areas the skip firm applies.

GOV.UK: skip licence in England and Wales.

Common questions

How do I measure a pile for a skip?

Measure the length, width and height in metres, as if the waste were in a rectangular heap. The helper converts that into cubic metres and cubic yards. One cubic yard is 0.76 cubic metres. If the pile is irregular, measure the longest sides and treat the result as a guide, then consider going a size up.

What size skips can I get in the UK?

Standard UK skips are usually sold in 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 cubic yards. The 8-yard builder’s skip is a common size for mixed light waste. Heavy waste such as soil and rubble is usually kept in smaller skips.

Can I put soil, rubble or plasterboard in a skip?

Soil, rubble, brick and concrete are allowed by many firms, but they are heavy, so the skip’s weight limit is often reached before it is full. Most firms only take heavy waste in skips of about 6 yards or smaller. Plasterboard must be kept separate. In England, gypsum-based waste must not go to a landfill cell that also takes biodegradable waste.

Do I need a permit to put a skip on the road?

Yes, if the skip is on a public road you or the skip firm need a council skip licence, also called a skip permit. You do not need one if the skip is entirely on private land, and you cannot put a skip on the pavement. In most areas the skip firm applies. See the GOV.UK skip licence page.

Is a grab lorry cheaper than a skip?

For a large loose pile of soil or rubble, a grab lorry can be better value than several skips, and the crew load it. Typical 2026 published ranges are about £170 to £420 a load, depending on the lorry. A skip can be cheaper for a smaller job you can load yourself over a few days. Get local quotes.

Can I just take the waste to the tip?

If it is your own household waste, many council recycling centres are free for residents, but they have vehicle rules and limits. In Greater Manchester, soil and rubble are limited to five rubble sacks per visit, vans need a permit, and trade waste is refused. A large pile usually needs a skip, grab or licensed carrier.

Sources used