What Size Trash Can Fits Inside a Kitchen Cabinet?

On this page (6 sections)

1. What size trash can fits inside a kitchen cabinet?
2. How do you measure a cabinet for a pull-out trash can?
3. Why does capacity alone not tell you whether a can fits?
4. Which pull-out can suits your cabinet?
5. What should you check before installing a pull-out trash can?
6. How do you choose the right kitchen cabinet trash can size?

Measure the cabinet opening, interior depth, and height before choosing a trash can. Leave room for hinges and the pull-out frame, because the gallon capacity alone won’t tell you whether it fits.

Start with the cabinet itself, not the can’s capacity label. A pull-out needs enough room for its frame and a clear path through the door opening.

What size trash can fits inside a kitchen cabinet?

The right size is the largest unit that fits the cabinet’s usable width, depth, and height with clearance to pull it out. Check the frame’s overall dimensions, not just the bucket.

A cabinet’s outside width can be misleading. Measure the clear opening between the sides, the usable floor depth, and the height below the counter or any shelf.

Check the hinges, plumbing, drawer supports, and door swing too. These can reduce the space available or block the pull-out as it moves.

For a wider overview of household capacity choices, see what size trash can you need for a kitchen. If you’re comparing a larger freestanding option, our guide to how big a 13 gallon trash can is explains the capacity in everyday terms.

How do you measure a cabinet for a pull-out trash can?

Measure clear opening width, interior depth, and usable height, then check hinge and door clearance. Compare your measurements with the entire pull-out frame’s dimensions.

1. Open the cabinet door fully and measure the clear width of the opening.
2. Measure from the inside front edge to the back wall, noting pipes or other obstructions.
3. Measure the usable height from the cabinet floor to the underside of the counter or shelf.
4. Check how far the door and hinges extend into the opening.
5. Compare these measurements with the frame and can dimensions, leaving room for movement.

Use the narrowest usable width if the opening isn’t even from top to bottom. For a floor-mounted unit, measure the cabinet floor as well as the doorway.

The Rev-A-Shelf double pull-out measures 14.21 in wide, 21.65 in deep, and 19.05 in high. Its required cabinet opening is at least 14.5 in wide, 21.75 in deep, and 19.25 in high, with hinge clearance to check before ordering.

The system includes two 35 qt cans and a metal frame. It mounts to the cabinet floor, and attaching it to the door requires separate brackets.

Why does capacity alone not tell you whether a can fits?

Capacity describes volume, while cabinet fit depends on the unit’s outside dimensions and shape. Two cans with similar capacity can take up different amounts of cabinet space.

Pull-out hardware also occupies space around the bucket. A dual-compartment system needs room for both containers and its frame, and the door must clear the unit during movement.

Compare dimensions in the same units before deciding. For a capacity-based comparison outside the cabinet, use our guide to 13 gallon kitchen trash cans.

Which pull-out can suits your cabinet?

Choose a single-can unit for one waste stream and a dual-compartment unit if you want trash and recycling together. In either case, check the full dimensions against the cabinet before picking by capacity.

The simplehuman 30 L Under-Counter Pull-Out Can measures 17.7 in long, 9.8 in wide, and 19.1 in high. Its steel frame pulls out on ball-bearing tracks, and it keeps the can behind the cabinet door.

The simplehuman 35 L Dual Pull-Out Can has the same stated outside dimensions, 17.7 in long, 9.8 in wide, and 19.1 in high, with two buckets for sorting trash and recycling. Check whether that footprint and the dual compartments suit the cabinet you plan to use.

For more options and sizing considerations, compare under-sink and pull-out trash cans. If you’re weighing a cabinet unit against a floor-standing can, read pull-out vs freestanding trash cans.

What should you check before installing a pull-out trash can?

Confirm the unit clears the cabinet door, hinges, and any plumbing before mounting it. Also make sure the cabinet floor can accommodate the frame and its required hardware.

A can that fits through the opening may still be difficult to use if the door can’t open fully or the pull-out hits a pipe. Check the path from closed to fully extended, not just the closed position.

For a step-by-step look at adding one, see how to make a pull-out trash can. Follow the installation instructions for the specific frame and mounting method.

How do you choose the right kitchen cabinet trash can size?

For a kitchen cabinet trash can, measure the opening, depth, height, and hinge clearance first, then compare the unit’s full dimensions. Pick a single bucket if you need one waste stream, or a dual pull-out if you want recycling beside trash.

If you want to keep both waste types in one cabinet, explore kitchen trash cans with a recycling bin. If you need more help choosing a kitchen capacity, start with what size trash can you need for a kitchen.

Frequently asked questions

What size trash can fits in a kitchen cabinet?

The right size depends on the cabinet’s usable opening, interior depth, and height, plus clearance for hinges and the pull-out mechanism. Measure those spaces before choosing a can, then compare the unit’s full dimensions.

Capacity alone doesn’t show whether a pull-out frame will clear the door or cabinet sides.

How do I measure a cabinet for a pull-out trash can?

Measure the clear opening width, inside depth, and usable height, then check hinge and door clearance. For a floor-mounted pull-out, also compare the cabinet floor space with the frame dimensions.

Use the smallest usable measurement if the cabinet is uneven or obstructed.

Is a 13 gallon trash can too big for a kitchen cabinet?

It may be, depending on the cabinet’s interior dimensions and the can’s shape. A gallon capacity doesn’t specify width, depth, or height, and a pull-out frame takes additional space.

Measure the full cabinet and compare the can dimensions before choosing a capacity.

Can I put a recycling bin and trash can in one cabinet?

Yes, a dual-compartment pull-out can hold trash and recycling side by side if the full frame fits the cabinet. Measure the opening, depth, and height, including hinge clearance, and confirm you can pull the unit out without hitting the door or nearby cabinets.