How Tall Is a Kitchen Trash Can?

On this page (9 sections)

1. How tall is a kitchen trash can in the common 13 gallon size?
2. How tall is a 45 liter kitchen trash can?
3. Why does height matter more than capacity when you buy?
4. What height trash can fits under a kitchen counter?
5. How tall are pull-out and cabinet trash cans?
6. Does a taller can mean a bigger bag?
7. Which kitchen trash cans fit these heights well?
8. How do you measure your space for a new trash can?
9. The short answer on kitchen trash can height

A standard kitchen trash can is about 25 to 26 inches tall. The size most kitchens use lands in that band, and the height grows only slowly as capacity goes up.

If you're replacing a can or fitting one into a tight spot, the height matters more than the gallon number on the box. A can that's an inch too tall won't slide under a counter overhang.

Here's how kitchen trash can height works in practice.

How tall is a kitchen trash can in the common 13 gallon size?

A 13 gallon kitchen trash can is about 25.9 inches tall. That's the height of the Amazon Basics 13.2 gallon soft-close can, which measures 16.73 inches long by 14.65 inches wide by 25.87 inches high.

This size is the default for most kitchens because it holds a few days of household trash without an empty every night. The body is a rectangle that stands upright, so almost all of the 25.87 inches is the bin itself.

A lid adds a little more when open, and the step pedal sits low at the base.

The width and depth matter as much as the height here. At roughly 16.73 by 14.65 inches, this can needs a footprint close to a 17 inch square of floor or cabinet space.

Measure that as carefully as the height before you buy.

If you want more on how the gallon rating translates to real bags, see our guide to what size trash bags for kitchen cans.

How tall is a 45 liter kitchen trash can?

A 45 liter kitchen trash can is about 25.8 inches tall. The simplehuman 45 L rectangular step can measures 15.9 inches long by 13.3 inches wide by 25.8 inches high.

Here's the useful part: 45 liters is roughly 11.9 gallons, yet the can is a hair shorter than the 13.2 gallon model above. The difference is shape and construction.

The simplehuman design replaces the inner bucket with a liner rim, so the bag sits against the outer wall and frees up interior space without adding height.

The takeaway: read the height in inches, not just the gallon figure. A can that holds less can still be taller if its lid mechanism takes up more vertical room.

Why does height matter more than capacity when you buy?

Height decides whether the can fits the spot, while capacity decides how often you empty it. A can with the right capacity that doesn't fit the spot is a bigger problem, because you can't move a cabinet.

Height also sets how the can feels to use. The pedal sits near the floor, so a taller can means less stooping when you press it.

The lid opens upward from the rim, so check the clearance above the can as well as the floor space.

Then there's the bag. A can's height and rim size decide which liner fits snugly.

A liner that's too short slips down inside the can; one that's too long drapes over the rim. Our guide to what size trash can for kitchen spaces covers how capacity and shape work together.

What height trash can fits under a kitchen counter?

A freestanding step can about 25 to 26 inches tall clears most base cabinets, but check the overhang first. Standard base cabinets are around 34.5 to 36 inches high, and the counter overhang often drops the usable clearance by an inch or two.

The simplehuman 45 L can at 25.8 inches and the EKO Madison at 25.4 inches both sit in that window. The Amazon Basics at 25.87 inches is the tallest of the three and leaves the least headroom, so measure it against a low overhang.

Under-counter pull-out frames are different. They're built short, so a 25 inch step can won't slide into one.

If you want the can hidden inside a cabinet, buy a pull-out unit rather than trying to force a full-height can into the frame.

Also check the lid's open height. A tight overhang can stop the lid from swinging fully up.

How tall are pull-out and cabinet trash cans?

Cabinet and pull-out trash cans usually run 18 to 22 inches tall, well short of a freestanding step can. They're designed to clear the counter above and slide on a track, so height is limited by the drawer opening.

That short body means less capacity per inch of floor space. A pull-out bin often holds 8 to 12 gallons, depending on the cabinet width.

In a busy kitchen where you want fewer bag changes, a taller freestanding can may suit you better.

The trade-off is access. A pull-out keeps the can out of sight and off the floor, which matters in a small kitchen.

A step can is easier to reach and holds more. Measure the drawer opening and the interior cabinet height before buying a pull-out model.

Does a taller can mean a bigger bag?

Usually not by much. A taller can often uses the same size liner as a shorter one when the rim is the same, because bag fit follows the rim circumference and depth more than the overall height.

A 13 gallon can and a 45 liter can take bags in a similar range. The simplehuman 45 L model uses Code M liners, a custom fit size tied to its rim, while the Amazon Basics 13.2 gallon can takes standard 13 gallon bags.

Our guide to what size trash bags for kitchen explains how to read bag sizes against the can.

If you want a bag that won't slip, match the liner to the rim, not just the gallon figure. A custom fit liner for a specific can grips the rim better than a generic bag.

Which kitchen trash cans fit these heights well?

Here are three step cans whose heights land in the standard band, each with a different strength.

Who should choose the simplehuman 45 L step can?

The simplehuman 45 L rectangular step can is the best pick for most busy kitchens. It stands 25.8 inches tall and holds 45 liters in a 15.9 by 13.3 inch footprint.

Its liner rim flips up so you can change the bag, then closes over it to hold the liner in place and keep it hidden. A built-in liner pocket stores a 20-pack of Code M liners inside the can. simplehuman says the steel pedal is rated for 150,000 steps and the Lid Shox hinge closes slowly and quietly.

The brushed stainless steel has a silver-ion coating that resists fingerprints.

Who should choose the EKO Madison or the Amazon Basics can?

The EKO Madison is the best pick if you want a stay-open lid for longer chores. It stands 25.4 inches tall and holds 13.2 gallons in a 16.9 by 14.3 inch footprint.

A lid lock holds the lid open while you scrape plates or sort recycling. The bi-force damper opens and closes softly, and EKO says the steel pedal is built for more than 200,000 presses.

The raised inner bucket has handles for easier bag changes. It works as a trash can or a recycling bin, which helps in a kitchen that separates cans and bottles.

The Amazon Basics 13.2 gallon soft-close can is the best pick on a budget. It stands 25.87 inches tall in a 16.73 by 14.65 inch footprint.

The smudge-resistant stainless exterior wipes clean, and the removable inner bucket and carry handle make emptying simple. It's the tallest of the three, so measure your counter overhang first.

For more finishes and looks, see our roundup of black kitchen trash can options.

How do you measure your space for a new trash can?

Measure the height under the counter, the floor footprint, and the lid swing before you buy. Start with the gap between the floor and the lowest point of the counter overhang.

Then measure the width and depth of the spot the can will occupy, leaving room to pull it out for bag changes. Add the lid's open height to your clearance check so it can swing up without hitting the counter.

Finally, confirm the bag size. A 13 gallon or 45 liter can usually takes a standard or custom liner in that range.

If you want to compare capacities side by side, our roundup of the best 13 gallon trash can for kitchen use covers the common choices.

The short answer on kitchen trash can height

For most kitchens, how tall is a kitchen trash can comes down to one band: about 25 to 26 inches for a standard freestanding step can. Pick the simplehuman 45 L for a busy kitchen with its liner rim and silent lid, the EKO Madison for a stay-open lid and easy bag changes, or the Amazon Basics for a budget can with a removable bucket.

Measure the counter overhang, floor space, and lid swing before you order. Height decides whether the can fits at all, so get it right first, then choose the capacity and features you want.

Frequently asked questions

How tall is a standard kitchen trash can?

A standard kitchen trash can is about 25 to 26 inches tall. The common 13 gallon models land near 25.9 inches, and a 45 liter can is close behind at 25.8 inches.

That height clears most base cabinets while keeping the lid at a comfortable reach.

Does a taller kitchen trash can hold more?

Only slightly. Going from 13.2 gallons down to 45 liters removes about 1.3 gallons of capacity but only changes the height by an inch or so.

Much of the extra room comes from the footprint and the shape, not the height, because a step can has a lid and pedal taking up vertical space.

How tall is a kitchen trash can under a counter?

A pull-out cabinet trash can is usually 18 to 22 inches tall, shorter than a freestanding step can. Pull-out units are built as short bins so the drawer can slide under the counter, so don't expect a standard 25 inch step can to fit a pull-out frame.

What height should a kitchen trash can be for comfortable use?

A can whose lid sits around 25 to 26 inches lets most adults press the pedal and drop trash without bending. If the pedal or lid sits much lower, you'll stoop each time, and a taller can may bump the counter overhang or the wall.