A 13 gallon trash bag holds 49.2 litres, and a 240 litre wheelie bin holds 63.4 US gallons. To convert, multiply gallons by 3.785 or divide litres by 3.785. Bags are labelled by the can they fit, so pick a bag rated at or above your bin's capacity.
Convert trash bag and bin sizes between gallons and litres — for US kitchen and contractor bags and UK/EU wheelie bins — and find the bag that fits your can.
How to use this calculator
- Choose the direction: gallons to litres (US bag labels) or litres to gallons (EU and UK bins).
- Enter the bag or bin size. Bin capacity is often printed on the bin or its product listing.
- Read the result in litres or US gallons, plus UK gallons and cubic feet.
- Check "smallest common US bag that fits" to see which labelled size covers your bin.
How it's calculated
litres = US gallons × 3.785411784— the US gallon is 231 cubic inches, which NIST Handbook 44 gives as 3.785 411 784 L.UK gallons = litres ÷ 4.54609— the imperial gallon in the UK Weights and Measures Act 1985.cubic feet = litres ÷ 28.316846592(NIST Handbook 44).- The bag match picks the smallest size in the common US range (4, 8, 13, 20, 30, 33, 39, 45, 55 gal) whose capacity is at least your bin's.
Worked examples
1. A US kitchen bag in litres
13 gal × 3.785411784 = 49.21 L. A metric kitchen bin of up to 49 L takes a 13 gallon bag.
2. A UK 240 L wheelie bin in gallons
240 ÷ 3.785411784 = 63.4 US gal (52.79 UK gal). That is bigger than a 55 gallon bag (208 L), so look for liners sold for 240 L bins.
3. A 30 L pedal bin
30 L ÷ 3.785411784 = 7.93 US gal. The smallest common US size that fits is 8 gal, which at 30.3 L is only just bigger, so check its flat width against the rim before you buy.
Common US trash bag sizes
| Bag (US gal) | Litres | UK gal | Cubic feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 gal | 15.1 L | 3.3 | 0.53 |
| 8 gal | 30.3 L | 6.7 | 1.07 |
| 13 gal | 49.2 L | 10.8 | 1.74 |
| 20 gal | 75.7 L | 16.7 | 2.67 |
| 30 gal | 113.6 L | 25 | 4.01 |
| 33 gal | 124.9 L | 27.5 | 4.41 |
| 39 gal | 147.6 L | 32.5 | 5.21 |
| 45 gal | 170.3 L | 37.5 | 6.02 |
| 55 gal | 208.2 L | 45.8 | 7.35 |
These are common labelled sizes, not a legal standard. State purchasing contracts show the same steps. Illinois's statewide can-liner contract (CMS 4018291) buys liners “for 7-1/2 to 10 gallon”, 12 to 16, 20 to 30, 30–33, 33 and 50–55 gallon cans. West Virginia's (CANLINER22) lists 10–13, 14–16, 30–32, 39–40 and 52–55 gallon liners. The 4 and 8 gallon household sizes, and the size names, follow Glad's own size guide, which groups 2.6–4 gal as small, 8 gal as medium, 13–20 gal as kitchen or tall, 30–33 gal as large and 39 gal as extra large. The 45 gallon row is a common contractor-bag label that neither state contract lists.
Bin litres to gallons chart
Common metric kitchen, bathroom and outdoor bin sizes, with the US bag that covers each.
| Bin (litres) | US gal | UK gal | Smallest US bag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 L | 1.3 | 1.1 | 4 gal |
| 10 L | 2.6 | 2.2 | 4 gal |
| 20 L | 5.3 | 4.4 | 8 gal |
| 30 L | 7.9 | 6.6 | 8 gal |
| 40 L | 10.6 | 8.8 | 13 gal |
| 45 L | 11.9 | 9.9 | 13 gal |
| 50 L | 13.2 | 11 | 20 gal |
| 60 L | 15.9 | 13.2 | 20 gal |
| 80 L | 21.1 | 17.6 | 30 gal |
| 100 L | 26.4 | 22 | 30 gal |
| 120 L | 31.7 | 26.4 | 33 gal |
| 140 L | 37 | 30.8 | 39 gal |
| 180 L | 47.6 | 39.6 | 55 gal |
| 200 L | 52.8 | 44 | 55 gal |
Wheelie bin sizes in gallons
| Bin (litres) | Wheels | US gal |
|---|---|---|
| 140 L | 2 | 37 |
| 180 L | 2 | 47.6 |
| 240 L | 2 | 63.4 |
| 360 L | 2 | 95.1 |
| 500 L | 4 | 132.1 |
| 660 L | 4 | 174.4 |
| 770 L | 4 | 203.4 |
| 1000 L | 4 | 264.2 |
| 1100 L | 4 | 290.6 |
| 1200 L | 4 | 317 |
Two-wheel sizes are those listed by UK councils such as Wealden; four-wheel sizes are the nominal volumes in EN 840-2:2020.
UK wheelie bin dimensions and weight limits
Wealden District Council publishes the dimensions and maximum loads of the bins it issues. Other councils' bins are similar but not identical, so check your own council's page.
| Bin | Height × width × depth (mm) | Max load |
|---|---|---|
| 140 L (37 US gal) | 1060 × 480 × 550 | 48 kg (106 lb) |
| 180 L (47.6 US gal) | 1060 × 540 × 650 | 72 kg (159 lb) |
| 240 L (63.4 US gal) | 1060 × 570 × 720 | 96 kg (212 lb) |
| 360 L (95.1 US gal) | 1115 × 580 × 870 | 144 kg (317 lb) |
| 660 L (174.4 US gal) | 1215 × 1370 × 770 | 264 kg (582 lb) |
| 1100 L (290.6 US gal) | 1465 × 1370 × 1070 | 440 kg (970 lb) |
How trash bags are labelled
In the US, NIST Handbook 130's Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation (§10.8) sets how bags are described. Bag-type products are labelled by count followed by the bag's dimensions: width and length for flat bags, and width, depth and length for gusseted bags. Where a bag is a liner for a more permanent container, its capacity is stated in the same terms used for that container, which is why boxes say "fits up to 30 gal cans" rather than giving the bag's own volume. NIST's example reads: 10 liners, 76.2 cm × 93.9 cm, fits up to 113 L cans (2 ft 6 in × 3 ft 1 in, fits up to 30 gal cans).
Thickness is often printed in mil, a thousandth of an inch. NIST gives 1 mil = 25.4 µm, so 0.9 mil film is 22.9 µm and 3 mil film is 76.2 µm.
US gallons vs UK gallons
US bag labels use the US gallon, which NIST defines as 231 cubic inches (3.785411784 L). The UK imperial gallon is 4.54609 L, set in the Weights and Measures Act 1985. The ratio is about 1.201, so any "gallon" size is roughly a fifth larger in imperial gallons. UK and EU bins are usually sized in litres, as the council and EN 840 figures above show, which avoids the problem; convert litres to US gallons when buying US-made liners, and check which gallon an imported listing means.
How to measure your trash can for a bag
When the can has no size printed on it, measure it and let the calculator's "Measure my bin" mode do the rest. Use the inside of the can, because that is the space the bag fills.
- Across the top. For a round can, measure the inside diameter at the rim. For a square or rectangular one, measure the inside width and the depth from front to back.
- Height. Measure from the inside floor to the rim.
- Volume. Round: π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × height. Rectangular: width × depth × height. In inches, divide cubic inches by 231 to get US gallons, since NIST defines the gallon as 231 cubic inches. In centimetres, divide cubic centimetres by 1,000 to get litres.
- Bag width. A flat bag opens into a tube whose distance around is twice its width, so the flat width must be at least half the rim's perimeter: π × diameter ÷ 2 for a round can, or width + depth for a rectangular one.
- Bag length. Add the height, half the base (the bottom seam has to reach across the floor of the can) and the overhang you want to fold over the rim.
Example: a round bathroom or office can
A can 12 in across and 20 in tall holds π × 6² × 20 = 2,262 in³, or 9.79 US gallons (37.1 L). The smallest common size that covers it is 13 gal. The bag should be at least 18.8 in wide flat (π × 12 ÷ 2) and, with a 4 in overhang, 30 in long (20 + 6 + 4).
Example: a rectangular kitchen can
A can 10 in wide, 14 in deep and 24 in tall holds 10 × 14 × 24 = 3,360 in³, or 14.55 US gallons. That is too much for a 13 gallon bag, so the match is 20 gal. The bag needs a flat width of at least 10 + 14 = 24 in and a length of about 24 + 7 + 4 = 35 in.
These dimension rules are geometry, not a manufacturer standard. A tapered can is narrower at the bottom, so measuring at the rim errs on the safe side, and gusseted bags have folded sides that add width, so compare against the width printed on the box. The overhang is your choice; enter 0 to see the bare minimum.
When a size conversion isn't enough
Litres and gallons tell you how much a bin holds, not its shape. A bag that matches the volume can still be too short to fold over the rim of a tall bin, or too narrow for a wide, square one. If you have a bag that nearly fits, measure the bin: the bag's flat width should be at least half the distance around the rim, and its length should be at least the bin's depth plus a few inches for the overhang. NIST's model labeling rules call for these dimensions on the box, so you can usually compare them before you buy.
Choosing the right bag
- Match capacity, then check dimensions. Two bins with the same litres can differ in shape. A tall, narrow can needs a longer bag; a wide one needs a wider opening. Compare the bag's width and length on the box with your bin's rim and height.
- Round up, not down. A bag sized just under the bin volume will not fold over the rim.
- Watch the gallon. Imported bags may quote UK gallons, which are about 20% larger than US gallons.
- Heavy loads need thicker film, not just a larger bag. Wheelie bins also have maximum loads, as the Wealden table shows.
If you only know your bin's inside dimensions, work out its volume with the cubic feet calculator and convert the result here.
Frequently asked questions
How many litres is a 13 gallon trash bag?
49.2 litres, or 1.74 cubic feet.
How many gallons is a 240 litre wheelie bin?
63.4 US gallons (1 US gallon = 3.785411784 L), or 52.8 UK gallons.
How many gallons is a 120 litre bin?
31.7 US gallons. The smallest common US bag that covers it is labelled 33 gal.
What size bag fits a 30 gallon can?
A bag labelled for 30 gallon cans (113.6 L). NIST's labeling rules describe can liners by the capacity of the can they fit, e.g. "fits up to 113 L cans (fits up to 30 gal cans)".
What size trash bag fits a 50 litre bin?
50 L is 13.2 US gallons, just over a 13 gallon bag (49.2 L). Choose the next size up (20 gal), or a bag labelled for 50 L cans.
How many litres is a 33 gallon bag?
124.9 litres.
How many litres is a 55 gallon drum liner?
208.2 litres, or 7.35 cubic feet.
What sizes do big communal bins come in?
EN 840-2 lists 4-wheel container volumes of 500, 660, 770, 1000, 1100, 1200 litres.
Are trash bag gallons US or UK gallons?
Bags sold in the US use US gallons (3.785 L). A UK gallon is 4.546 L, so a "13 gallon" figure means 49.2 L in the US but would be 59.1 L in UK gallons.
How many gallons is 45 litres?
11.89 US gallons (9.9 UK gallons). A 45 L bin takes a 13 gal bag.
How do I measure my trash can for the right bag?
Measure the inside diameter (or width and depth) and the height. Volume in cubic inches ÷ 231 gives US gallons. The bag's flat width should be at least half the distance around the rim, and its length the height plus half the base plus your overhang. A 12 in round can 20 in tall holds 9.8 gal and needs a bag about 19 in wide and 30 in long.
What does mil mean on a trash bag?
Mil is a thousandth of an inch, used for film thickness. 1 mil = 25.4 micrometres (µm), so a 1.5 mil bag is 38.1 µm thick.
Sources & method
- NIST Handbook 44 (2026), Appendix C — 1 US gallon = 3.785 411 784 L; 1 ft³ = 28.316 846 592 L; 1 mil = 0.001 in
- NIST Handbook 130 (2026), Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation §10.8 — bags labelled by count, dimensions and can capacity
- UK Weights and Measures Act 1985, Schedule 1 — imperial gallon = 4.54609 L
- EN 840-2:2020 — mobile waste containers with 4 wheels, nominal volumes (official preview)
- Wealden District Council — recycling and waste container sizes, dimensions and maximum loads
- State of Illinois CMS, Contract 4018291 — PSD trash can and hamper liner statewide (liners by can size: 7½–10, 12–16, 20–30, 30–33, 33, 50–55 gal)
- State of West Virginia Purchasing Division, Statewide Contract CANLINER22 — trash can liners (10–13, 14–16, 30–32, 39–40, 52–55 gal)
- Glad — Trash bag sizes explained (common labelled sizes 2.6–39 gal)
- Croydon Council — bin sizes and measurements
Results are estimates for general information. Found an error? It helps everyone — see our methodology.