Trash bag sizes: a liters and gallons chart
A trash bag is defined by three numbers, not one: capacity (gallons or liters), flat size (the width by height of the bag laid open) and gauge (film thickness). Getting all three right is what keeps the bag from tearing and stops you paying for material you don’t use. The full chart, 5 to 95 gallons, is below.
- → 1 gallon = 3.785 liters. A home kitchen is usually 13 gal (49 L); an industrial drum, 55 gal (208 L).
- → Flat width for a round bin = (diameter × 3.14) ÷ 2 + 2 in of slack.
- → Height = bin height + 4 to 6 in to fold and tie.
- → The bigger the capacity, the higher the gauge: weight concentrates at the bottom.
Size chart: gallons, liters and flat size
Flat size is the bag laid open and unfilled: width by height. It is the figure used for quoting, because the same capacity can come in different proportions depending on the shape of the bin.
| Capacity | Liters | Flat size | In cm | Gauge | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 gal | 19 L | 17 × 18 in | 43 × 46 cm | Light | Bathroom or office bin |
| 8 gal | 30 L | 22 × 24 in | 56 × 61 cm | Light | Bedroom bin, small office |
| 13 gal | 49 L | 24 × 27 in | 61 × 69 cm | Medium | Home kitchen |
| 20 gal | 76 L | 30 × 36 in | 76 × 91 cm | Medium | Reception, corridors, classrooms |
| 30 gal | 114 L | 30 × 36 in | 76 × 91 cm | Medium-high | Retail, restaurant kitchen |
| 33 gal | 125 L | 33 × 39 in | 84 × 99 cm | High | Restaurant, hotel |
| 45 gal | 170 L | 40 × 46 in | 102 × 117 cm | High | Service container, construction |
| 55 gal | 208 L | 38 × 58 in | 97 × 147 cm | High | 55-gallon drum, industrial |
| 95 gal | 360 L | 61 × 68 in | 155 × 173 cm | Reinforced | Large wheeled container |
Industry reference flat sizes, to orient your search. We manufacture to requirement: if you have a bin or container with a particular dimension, we produce to that specification. Exact size and gauge are confirmed when we quote.
How to calculate your bin’s exact size
If your bin doesn’t match any row in the chart, measure it. Two calculations:
- Bag width. For a round bin: multiply the diameter by 3.14 to get the circumference, divide by 2 and add 2 inches of slack. A bin 16 inches across gives (16 × 3.14) ÷ 2 + 2 = 27 inches wide. For a rectangular bin: add the width and the depth, then add 2 inches.
- Bag height. Bin height plus 4 to 6 inches. That margin is what lets you fold the rim over the outside and tie the bag without it slipping back in.
A bag that is too tight tears on lifting because all the tension lands on the bottom seam. One that is too large wastes material and collapses into the bin.
Gauge matters as much as size
Gauge is the thickness of the film. Two bags of identical capacity can behave completely differently depending on gauge, and it is the most common buying mistake: ordering the right size in an inadequate gauge.
The practical rule is that gauge follows the type of waste, not just the volume. Light, bulky waste — paper, packaging, plastic — tolerates a light gauge even in large bags. Dense or sharp waste — food scraps, glass, rubble, bones — needs a high gauge even in a mid-size bag, because the weight concentrates at the bottom and sharp edges find the weak point in the film.
If you handle mixed waste, step up one gauge level: it costs less than replacing burst bags and cleaning the spill. We cover this in detail in the size, gauge and color guide.
Sizes by sector
If you are buying for an operation rather than a household, the starting point is not the bin but the daily flow:
- Restaurant: 33 to 45 gallons in a high gauge for the kitchen, 13 gallons for dining room and restroom bins. Wet organic waste is the most demanding of all.
- Hotel: 8 to 13 gallons per room, 33 gallons in service areas, 55 in the collection room.
- Office: 5 to 8 gallons at individual desks, 20 to 30 in kitchens and common areas.
- Clinic or hospital: size depends on the container, but color and labeling are regulated. See the hospital bag guide.
- Construction or industry: 45 to 95 gallons in a reinforced gauge, usually over a wheeled container or drum.
For operational volumes, see the wholesale buying guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many liters are in a gallon?
One gallon equals 3.785 liters. A 13-gallon bag is about 49 liters, a 30-gallon bag about 114 liters, and a 55-gallon drum about 208 liters.
What trash bag size works for a normal kitchen?
For most home kitchens a 13-gallon bag (49 liters) with a flat size of roughly 24 by 27 inches is the best fit.
What bag fits a 55-gallon drum?
A 55-gallon drum holds about 208 liters and needs a bag with a flat size of roughly 38 by 58 inches in a high gauge, because weight concentrated at the bottom demands more strength than a household bag.
How do I calculate the bag width my bin needs?
For a round bin, multiply the diameter by 3.14 to get the circumference, divide by 2 and add 2 inches of slack. For height, add 4 to 6 inches to the bin height.
Do you make custom sizes?
Yes. At Ecoplásticos Panamá we produce bags in a wide range of sizes and gauges, even to order. Request a quote on WhatsApp at +(507) 6446-1818.
