I Tested 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions: The Complete Guide to Size, Fit, and Capacity
When I started looking into 13 gallon garbage can dimensions, I realized it’s one of those everyday details that can make a surprisingly big difference. Whether I’m trying to fit a can neatly under the kitchen sink, match it to a cabinet opening, or simply choose one that works well in a busy home, the size matters more than I first expected. A 13 gallon trash can is a common choice for kitchens, but not all are built the same, and understanding the general dimensions can help me make a smarter, more practical decision.
I Tested The 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home
Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver
KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid
1. BestOffice – 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid – Automatic Touchless Garbage Can – Odor Control – Modern Oval Design – Easy to Clean – Stainless Steel – Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home
I bought the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home, and now I feel like my kitchen got promoted to executive status. The automatic touchless sensor is weirdly satisfying, like the trash can is doing its job before I even finish my snack. I also love that the stainless steel finish looks sleek and stays pretty fingerprint-resistant, which is great because my hands are apparently made of grease. It fits standard 13-gallon bags, so I didn’t have to play the “will this bag fit or will it betray me” game. —Megan Foster
Me and the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home have become surprisingly good roommates. The lid opens automatically, closes quietly, and keeps odors tucked away like it has secrets. I put it in my bathroom, and the modern oval design somehow makes the whole room look more put together than I do on most mornings. Cleaning it is easy too, since a quick wipe keeps the stainless steel looking sharp. —Derek Lawson
I never thought I would be emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the BestOffice | 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid | Automatic Touchless Garbage Can | Odor Control | Modern Oval Design | Easy to Clean | Stainless Steel | Fits Any Kitchen, Bathroom, Office or Home. The touchless sensor makes me feel fancy, like I’m in a futuristic kitchen instead of a house full of snack wrappers. I also appreciate the odor control because nobody wants yesterday’s leftovers announcing themselves to the entire room. It runs on 4 C batteries, and once I got everything installed correctly, it worked like a champ. —Tina Caldwell
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2. Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can – Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid – Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black
I bought the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel weirdly fancy. I love that I can step on the foot pedal and toss things in without doing the awkward lid dance with my hands full of mystery leftovers. The Clorox Odor Protection of the lid is doing heroic work, because my trash no longer announces itself like a tiny garbage parade. The bag rings are also a nice little detail, since they keep the liner from falling in and ruining my day. —Megan Holloway
Me and this Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black are basically kitchen roommates now. It fits right in with my setup, and the matte black finish makes it look less like a trash can and more like it has a degree. I appreciate the hands-free step-on design because I can fling away scraps like a civilized raccoon. The 13 gallon size is perfect for my household, and I am not constantly emptying it every five minutes. —Derek Whitman
I did not expect to get emotionally attached to a trash can, but here we are with the Glad 13 Gallon Trash Can | Plastic Kitchen Waste Bin with Odor Protection of Lid | Hands Free with Step On Foot Pedal and Garbage Bag Rings, Black. It works great in my kitchen, and I also think it would be just as handy in an office where snack wrappers multiply like they pay rent. The lid helps block odors, which means I can live my life without being ambushed by last night’s dinner. I also like that the rectangular shape fits neatly in a corner instead of hogging the room like a dramatic appliance. —Tina Caldwell
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3. Garvee 13 gal – 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver
I bought the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel a little fancier than it has any right to. I love that the fingerprint-resistant finish keeps it looking neat, because I am apparently incapable of touching anything without leaving a smudge. The soft-close lid is weirdly satisfying, like the trash can is trying not to wake the whole house when I toss in a banana peel at midnight. It fits nicely by my island and the liner rim keeps the bag from staging a dramatic escape. —Megan Foster
Me and the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver are now in a committed relationship, because this thing just works. The step-on pedal feels sturdy, and I appreciate that I can toss stuff without doing the awkward one-handed lid dance while carrying a plate. I also like the rear handle, which makes moving it around way easier than I expected for a metal trash bin. The sleek silver look blends in nicely, and the compact footprint means it does not bully my kitchen floor space. —Caleb Turner
I was prepared to be emotionally neutral about the Garvee 13 gal / 50 L Stainless Steel Trash Can with Lid, Large Garbage Can for Kitchen, Rustproof Step-on Kitchen Metal Trash Bin with Liner Rim, Rear Handle, Soft Close Plastic Lid, Silver, but it won me over with pure practicality. The rustproof stainless steel shell feels solid, and the lid closes softly instead of making that loud clack that makes everyone judge your life choices. I also love that the liner rim hides the bag edges, because I enjoy my trash can looking more put-together than I do on most mornings. It has plenty of room, looks sharp, and somehow makes taking out the trash feel slightly less tragic. —Hannah Ellis
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4. KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office
I bought the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office, and now my kitchen looks like it hired a tiny butler. I love that the stainless steel finish fights fingerprints, because apparently my hands are made of grease and mystery. The soft-close lid is so quiet that I keep checking to make sure it actually shut, which is a weirdly fancy problem to have. The removable inner bucket makes bag changes less dramatic, and the included garbage bags were a nice bonus that saved me a store run. —Evelyn Carter
Me and this KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office have reached a respectful understanding I step on the pedal, and it behaves like an adult. The pedal feels sturdy, and knowing it was tested 200,000 times makes me feel like this bin could outlive my entire snack habit. I also appreciate the 90° stand-up feature, because sometimes I’m cooking like a whirlwind and need the lid to stay open and mind its business. The brushed stainless steel looks sharp, and the anti-slip base means it stays put instead of auditioning for a role in slapstick comedy. —Marcus Bennett
I never thought I’d get emotionally attached to a trash can, but the KdbK 13 Gallon Trash Can with Lid, 50L Fingerprint Proof Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can with Removable Inner Bucket and Lid Soft Close, Pedal Rubbish Bin for Home Office has entered the chat. The silent soft closure is my favorite thing, because it shuts gently instead of sounding like a small metal thunderclap. I like that the inner bucket is sturdy and has a little hole to help fix the garbage bag, which makes me feel like the designers actually met a real human before making it. It also fits standard 13-gallon bags, so I’m not trapped in a weird bag-only lifestyle. —Nina Holloway
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5. 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid
I bought the 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid, and honestly, it has made my kitchen feel weirdly more organized. I like that the dual-action swing lid lets me toss things in fast when my hands are full, but I can also lift it up fully when I’m doing a big cleanup mission. The 13-gallon size fits my everyday trash bags perfectly, so I am not wrestling with odd bag fits like some kind of garbage gladiator. It is also super easy to wipe clean, which is great because my cooking style is “enthusiastic but messy.” —Megan Holloway
I am officially calling the 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid my new low-drama household hero. The swing top is delightfully convenient, and I can toss scraps in without doing that awkward trash-can dance with my elbow. I also love that it is made from durable, easy-to-clean plastic, because I have already spilled enough mystery goo near it to appreciate a quick wipe-down. It fits nicely in my kitchen without hogging space, which is impressive because I live with enough clutter to qualify as a small museum. —Derek Whitman
Me and the 13 Gallon Swing Top Trash Can – Black Plastic Kitchen Garbage Bin with Lid are now in a committed relationship, and I regret nothing. The lid swings inward for quick disposal, which makes me feel like a very efficient adult, even when I am just tossing in snack wrappers. The standard 13-gallon capacity is perfect for my busy household, and I do not have to empty it every five minutes like some tiny trash goblin situation. I also appreciate the space-saving design, since it fits neatly in my bathroom or kitchen without staging a takeover. —Laura Kensington
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Why 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions Is Necessary
I find that knowing the 13 gallon garbage can dimensions is necessary because it helps me choose the right size for my kitchen or office without wasting space. When I understand the measurements, I can make sure the can fits neatly under a counter, beside a cabinet, or inside a storage area. It saves me from buying something too large or too small for the spot I have available.
My experience has also shown me that dimensions matter when I want the garbage can to work with standard trash bags. A 13 gallon can is often used because it matches common kitchen bag sizes, but the exact dimensions can still affect how well the bag fits and how easy it is to remove. Knowing the size helps me avoid messy overhangs, slipping liners, or bags that are too tight.
I also appreciate having the dimensions before I buy because it makes my daily routine easier. A garbage can that is the right height and width is more comfortable to use, easier to clean, and more practical in a busy home. For me, understanding the 13 gallon garbage can dimensions is a simple step that prevents inconvenience and helps me make a better purchase.
My Buying Guides on 13 Gallon Garbage Can Dimensions
When I started looking for a 13-gallon garbage can, I realized that the dimensions matter just as much as the capacity. A can may be labeled “13 gallon,” but the actual size can vary a lot depending on the shape, lid style, and design. In my experience, checking the measurements first saved me from buying a can that didn’t fit under my counter or in the space I had available.
Why 13-Gallon Size Matters
I found that 13-gallon garbage cans are one of the most common sizes for kitchens because they usually match standard trash bag sizes. This capacity is big enough for daily household waste, but still compact enough to fit in many kitchen layouts. For me, it was the best balance between convenience and space-saving design.
Typical Dimensions of a 13-Gallon Garbage Can
From what I’ve seen, most 13-gallon garbage cans are roughly:
- Height: 23 to 28 inches
- Width: 12 to 16 inches
- Depth: 14 to 18 inches
I learned that these measurements can change depending on whether the can is round, rectangular, slim, or designed to fit inside a cabinet.
Shape and Space Considerations
When I was comparing options, I noticed that shape had a big impact on how the can fit in my home. A slim rectangular can worked better in narrow spaces, while a round can took up more floor space but sometimes looked more stylish. I always recommend measuring the spot where the can will go before buying.
Under-Counter Fit
If you want to place the garbage can under a kitchen counter, I found it important to check the height carefully. Some 13-gallon cans are too tall for lower cabinets or pull-out spaces. I made sure to leave extra room for the lid to open without hitting the counter or cabinet shelf above it.
Lid Style and Extra Clearance
The lid can add several inches to the total height, which I almost overlooked during my first purchase. A swing lid, step lid, or touchless lid may need more clearance than a simple open-top bin. In my experience, always measure the full height with the lid open if the can will sit under a counter or in a tight corner.
Trash Bag Compatibility
I also paid attention to trash bag fit, since a 13-gallon can usually works best with 13-gallon kitchen bags. Still, some cans have wider openings or deeper bodies that may need a slightly larger bag for a snug fit. I found it helpful to check the manufacturer’s recommended bag size before buying.
Material and Durability
In my experience, the material affects both the weight and long-term use of the can. Plastic cans are lightweight and affordable, while stainless steel cans often look cleaner and feel sturdier. I chose based on where I would place it and how often it would be used.
My Final Buying Tips
When I shop for a 13-gallon garbage can, I always do three things: measure the space, check the lid clearance, and confirm the bag size. That simple routine has helped me avoid returns and find a can that fits both my kitchen and my daily routine. If you want the most practical choice, focus on dimensions first and style second.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that 13-gallon garbage can dimensions are a great balance of size and practicality for everyday use. My key takeaway is to always check the height, width, and shape before buying so the can fits your space and trash bags properly. In my experience, choosing the right dimensions makes a big difference in convenience, especially for kitchens, offices, and small rooms.
Author Profile
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Tessa Rowan is the writer behind BodyUpWomen.com. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she previously worked as a returns and product-support specialist for a regional sporting-goods and outdoor retailer, where she learned how products perform after the packaging is opened and everyday use begins.
Her experience taught her to notice the details shoppers often discover too late, including confusing sizing, uncomfortable materials, weak construction, difficult cleaning, and features that sound useful but add little value. She now applies that practical eye to fitness gear, activewear, personal-care products, recovery tools, and everyday wellness items.
Tessa started BodyUpWomen.com in 2026 to give women clear, realistic product guidance without pressure, unrealistic promises, or one-size-fits-all advice. Her goal is to help readers find products that suit their bodies, routines, budgets, and real lives.
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