A standard 13-gallon kitchen trash can typically runs about 24–26 inches tall, 15–16 inches wide, and 12–13 inches deep for rectangular models, with round versions usually measuring around 15–17 inches in diameter.
Two cans both labeled 13 gallons can differ by several inches in every direction, because the gallon number describes what fits inside, not the footprint. The label tells you capacity; the shape, lid, and brand decide how much floor and counter space the can actually claims. That gap is why a can that looked right online can crowd a cabinet or bump a drawer when it arrives.
Below are the real measurements from current retail listings, what actually governs a fit under a counter, and where the “13-gallon” label can mislead you.
How Tall And Wide Is A 13 Gallon Trash Can?
A typical 13-gallon can measures roughly 24–26 inches tall, 15–16 inches wide, and 12–13 inches deep, though some run as tall as 28 inches and as wide as 16 inches. Rectangular models list width and depth; round models list a diameter instead.
Three current listings show how much real products drift from the average:
- A Glad 13-gallon plastic model measures 18 × 14.7 × 25 inches.
- An Amazon Basics 13.2-gallon rectangular can measures 14.7 × 16.7 × 25.9 inches.
- A Target 13/18.5-gallon stainless push-lid can measures 15.4 × 15.4 × 28 inches.
Notice the last one. That Target listing is tagged for two capacities at once, and its 28-inch height reflects the larger of the two. If you quote dimensions from a listing like that one without checking the exact capacity, you can end up with a can that won’t fit your space.
| Model | Listed Dimensions | Shape |
|---|---|---|
| Glad 13-gallon plastic | 18 × 14.7 × 25 in | Rectangular |
| Amazon Basics 13.2-gallon soft-close | 14.7 × 16.7 × 25.9 in | Rectangular |
| Target 13/18.5-gallon push-lid | 15.4 × 15.4 × 28 in | Round-ish |
| Typical rectangular range | 24–26 H × 15–16 W × 12–13 D in | Rectangular |
| Typical round range | 15–17 in diameter | Round |
| Widest common span | 23–28 H × 12–16 W/D in | Either |
What Actually Decides Whether It Fits
The closed height is the number most people check first, and it’s the one that matters least. Lid swing and open height usually decide whether a can clears a counter or cabinet edge. A 25-inch can with a tall hinged lid can need several more inches of vertical room the moment you step on the pedal.
Width and depth matter just as much as a pair. A 16-inch-wide can may slide under a counter but leave no room for the door to close on a cabinet, and a deep can can block a drawer pull. Rectangular cans often fit tighter corners because they use flat sides; round cans waste the corner space behind them.
Round versus rectangular changes how you measure entirely. With a round can, ask for the diameter and multiply nothing — that single number is its width and depth. With a rectangular can, get both the width and the depth, because a 16-inch-wide, 13-inch-deep can and a 13-inch-wide, 16-inch-deep can behave very differently in the same spot.
One more thing: counter fit gets talked about constantly, but under-sink clearance depends on the lid arm and the can’s open height, not the closed height on the spec sheet. If you’re measuring for under-sink use, measure the space with the lid open in mind. If you’re comparing specific models before you buy, our tested 13 gallon rectangular trash can roundup pairs real dimensions with the spaces each one suits.
Why Two Cans The Same Size Look Different
The “13-gallon” label is a capacity stamp, not a standard exterior size, so two cans with identical gallons can differ by inches in height, width, and depth. Shape, lid type, and brand design all shift the footprint while the interior volume stays the same.
An 18-inch-wide body, like that Glad model, spreads the same 13 gallons across a wider, shallower shape. The Amazon Basics can goes the other way — narrower at 14.7 inches but taller at 25.9 inches, using vertical space instead of floor space. Both hold 13 gallons. Neither fits the same spot.
This is why buying by gallon count alone goes wrong. The gallon tells you how much trash the can holds; it tells you nothing about the counter, cabinet, or corner you’re putting it in. Amazon Basics’ own product listing confirms the pattern: same capacity class, entirely different footprint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 13-gallon trash can the same size everywhere?
No. The 13-gallon figure is a capacity label, not a standardized exterior footprint. Two 13-gallon cans can differ by several inches in height, width, and depth depending on whether they’re rectangular or round and whether the lid is flat, hinged, or push-style.
What is the diameter of a round 13-gallon can?
Round 13-gallon cans usually measure about 15–17 inches across. With a round can, the diameter is both the width and the depth, so that single number tells you the full footprint you’re working with on the floor.
Why do some 13-gallon listings show taller dimensions?
Some retail listings bundle 13-gallon capacity with 18.5-gallon variants under one model name. Those pages can quote the larger size’s measurements. Always verify the exact capacity on the listing before trusting any dimension it shows.
References & Sources
- Amazon. “Amazon Basics Rectangle Soft-Close Trash Can” Source for the 13.2-gallon model’s 14.7 × 16.7 × 25.9-inch dimensions.
- Amazon. “Glad 13-Gallon Plastic Trash Can” Source for the Glad model’s 18 × 14.7 × 25-inch dimensions.
- Target. “13/18.5-Gallon Stainless Steel Trash Can with Push Lid” Example of a listing that mixes two capacities, showing the 28-inch height.
