Sterilite 30 gal tote size
- Length, lid on
- 30 1/2"
- Width across the lid rim
- 20 1/4"
- Height with lid
- 17 1/8"
- Capacity
- 30 gal
- Sold at
- Walmart, Ace Hardware, Lowe's
- Colors
- Cement gray; Blue
- Sizes from
- Store and maker listings: measure one of yours before you cut
Sterilite, Ace and WebstaurantStore list Sterilite's plain 30 gal Tote (model 1736) at 30 1/2" × 20 1/4" × 17 1/8" with a snap-on lid. The Tuff1 30 gal looks alike but is 30" long, so check the label on yours before you cut.
A 3×3 rack for Sterilite 30 gal totes
It holds 9 totes (270 gallons) and stands 69" wide, 30 1/2" deep and 59 3/8" tall against a wall, with an open top. Change the layout in the configurator above; the numbers on this page are for the 3×3.
- 16 × 2x4 × 8 ft
- 104 × 2-1/2" screws
- 2 angle brackets to fix it to the wall studs
Cut list
| Part | Qty | Stock | Cut to (length × width) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legs | 8 | 2x4 SPF | 56 3/8" | Vertical posts |
| Rails | 4 | 2x4 SPF | 69" | Horizontal full-width members (top/bottom x front/back) |
| Runners | 18 | 2x4 SPF | 30 1/2" | Front-to-back tote supports |
| Spacer Blocks | 2 | 2x4 SPF | 15 1/8" | Assembly jig for row spacing (reuse during build) |
Ladder layout
Every leg gets the same marks. Measure down from the top end of the leg to the top edge of each runner:
- Row 1 (top): 3 1/4"
- Row 2: 21 7/8"
- Row 3 (bottom): 40 1/2"
Posts 21" apart leave 18" between the two runners of a bay, so the 20 1/4" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each. Cut the two spacer blocks to 15 1/8": stood on one runner, a block sets the next one.
Step by step
Buy the lumber and screws
For a 3×3 rack of Sterilite 30 gal totes: 16 2x4s 8 ft long, 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs.
Cut every piece
Cut 8 legs at 56 3/8", 4 rails at 69", 18 runners at 30 1/2" and 2 spacer blocks at 15 1/8", as in the cut list. A stop block on your saw keeps identical parts identical.
Mark the ladder layout
On one leg, mark the top edge of the top runner 3 1/4" down from the top end, then a mark every 18 5/8" below it. Square the marks across and copy them onto all 8 legs.
Build the leg pairs
Screw a runner across a front and a back leg on every mark, with two 2-1/2" screws at each end; a spacer block (15 1/8") standing on one runner sets the next. The middle pairs get runners on both faces, the two end pairs on their inside face only.
Join the pairs with the rails
Stand the pairs on the two bottom rails with 21" between posts, so the runners of each bay are 18" apart, and screw the two top rails across the top ends of the legs.
Fix it to the wall and load it
Screw two angle brackets from the top back rail into two wall studs, then slide the totes in with their lids on: the 20 1/4" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each runner. Heaviest totes at the bottom.
Totes that fit the same rack
These totes share the Sterilite 30 gal's length and rim width and are no taller, so they hang on the same runners:
- Brightroom 30 gal - 30 1/2 × 20 1/4 × 16 5/8 in
Other 30 gallon totes are a different size and need their own rack: Sterilite 30 gal Tuff1.
FAQ
What size is the Sterilite 30 gal tote?
30 1/2" long, 20 1/4" wide across the lid rim and 17 1/8" tall with the lid on, from store listings. It holds 30 gallons and is sold at Walmart, Ace Hardware and Lowe's. Measure one of yours before you cut.
Will a rack for Sterilite 30 gal totes fit other 30 gallon totes?
Yes for the Brightroom 30 gal: it has the same length and rim width and is no taller, so it hangs on the same runners. Not the Sterilite 30 gal Tuff1: it is a different size, so pick it in the configurator for a rack that fits.
How much lumber does a 3×3 rack for Sterilite 30 gal totes take?
16 2x4s 8 ft long, plus 104 2-1/2" screws and 2 angle brackets for the wall studs. It holds 9 totes (270 gallons) and stands 69" wide, 30 1/2" deep and 59 3/8" tall.
How far apart are the runners for Sterilite 30 gal totes?
Set the posts 21" apart, so the two runners of a bay are 18" apart and the 20 1/4" rim rests on 1 1/8" of each. Each row sits 18 5/8" above the last: the tote's 17 1/8" height plus a 1 1/2" gap to slide it out.
Build it, guided every step
The Fixie iOS app turns this plan into a customized build for your exact space - pick your dimensions, get an auto-generated cut list, order materials in one tap, and follow the steps with 3D previews. Have something else in mind? Describe it or snap a photo and Fixie will design your own build from scratch - your first design is free.
Download Fixie on the App StoreTote rack plans for other totes
All tote rack plans and the 3D configurator