A vacuum cleaner is provided that is alternatively operable as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner and as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner includes a nozzle assembly having a beater brush, a suction fan and a motor that drives both the beater brush and suction fan. A dirt tube assembly includes a first air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a dirt box and also includes a second air flow passageway that directs dirt from the nozzle assembly to a handle. The handle includes an air flow passageway that is coupled to the second air flow passageway in the dirt tube assembly. The handle is alternatively interconnectable with a cap for sealing the handle air flow passageway to operate the vacuum cleaner as a stand alone, upright vacuum cleaner wherein dirt is directed from the nozzle by the nozzle suction fan through the first air flow passageway to the dirt box. The handle is also interconnectable with a hose assembly coupled to a canister unit having a suction fan driven by a motor such that dirt is directed by canister suction fan from the nozzle assembly through the second air flow passageway to the hose assembly and a canister dirt receptacle to operate the vacuum cleaner as a canister vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner may also be operated in a clean out mode to automatically clean out the dirt box. Further, when operated as a canister vacuum cleaner, the nozzle suction fan and canister suction fan operate together to provide improved cleaning action.