What Size Trash Can Is 13 Gallons? | Real Dimensions & Fit

Thirteen gallons is the standard kitchen trash can size, holding about 49 liters and standing roughly 25 inches tall.

A 13-gallon trash can is what most US households picture under the sink or beside the counter: roomy enough for a family kitchen yet compact enough to fit standard cabinetry. One thing to know up front — that 13-gallon number is the advertised capacity, not a guarantee of physical size. Whether you’re measuring for a cabinet or matching bags, width, depth, and lid height matter more than the volume label.

Thirteen Gallons Explained: Capacity and What Fits Inside

In plain numbers, 13 gallons is about 49.2 liters, and several retailers round listing titles to an even 50 liters for simplicity. In cubic terms, that’s roughly 3,003 cubic inches of interior space. Bag compatibility follows the same label: a standard 13-gallon kitchen bag is the matching liner for a 13-gallon can.

What does that capacity actually hold day to day?

• Two to three days of trash for a typical family of four.
• Standard tall kitchen bags (often sold as 13-gallon) without overstretching the rim.

Capacity alone won’t tell you whether a can fits your space, though. Two bins with identical 13-gallon volume can have completely different footprints depending on whether they’re round, rectangular, or slim-profile.

Physical Height, Width, and Depth of Common 13-Gallon Cans

Most 13-gallon cans cluster around 24–28 inches tall, 14–17 inches wide, and 10–15 inches deep, with round versions running 15–17 inches in diameter. Real model dimensions show the spread:

The Alpine model shows the widest deviation — at 30 inches tall it’s built for office or janitorial use, not under-counter kitchens. The lesson: check each model’s spec sheet, not the gallon label. For a quick model-by-model rundown of our favorite dark-colored options, see our tested picks for the best black 13 gallon trash can.

Will a 13-Gallon Can Fit Under Your Counter?

The short answer: usually yes, but with caveats. Standard base cabinets have roughly 28–30 inches of interior clearance, and most closed 13-gallon cans sit at 25–26 inches tall. Two measurement traps can ruin the fit.

Lid-open height. Step cans and sensor models swing their lids up several inches beyond the closed height. A can that’s 25 inches closed can easily need 35 inches of clearance with the lid open — check the open-height spec before committing to an under-sink spot.

Width and depth vs. cabinet interior. Cabinet interiors measure less than their outer face — a 16.7-inch-wide can needs a cabinet box closer to 18 inches. Depth is the more common pinch point: 14.7-inch-deep cans alongside sink plumbing can get tight in a 24-inch-deep base cabinet.

Measure your cabinet’s interior height, width, and depth before shopping, then subtract an inch on every side for breathing room.

One more distinction matters: liters versus gallons. Some listings swap 50 liters and 13.2 gallons as if identical, but they’re close, not exact. Buy a can labeled 13 gallons or 50 liters, and standard 13-gallon bags will generally fit — but rim shape can still change liner fit slightly.

FAQs

Are 13-gallon bags the right liner for any 13-gallon can?

Usually yes, but rim geometry matters. Cans with unusual oval or extra-wide rims may need tall-kitchen or drawstring bags that stretch further. Check the bag’s flat width against your can’s rim opening.

How many pounds of trash does a 13-gallon can hold?

There’s no fixed weight limit, but a typical kitchen bag rated for this size handles 20–30 pounds of wet or mixed waste before tearing risk climbs. Heavy items like full cans of soup or glass jars should sit closer to the bottom of the bag. For routine household trash, volume is the limiting factor long before weight is.

Why do two different 13-gallon cans look so different in size?

Capacity is volume, and volume can be shaped many ways. A tall, narrow can packs 13 gallons into a slim 10-inch-deep footprint for tight spots, while a short, wide bin spreads the same volume across a broader base for easier foot-pedal access. Shape differences also shift center of gravity — wider bases tip less when full.