Find out exactly how much decomposed granite (DG) your path, patio, or driveway needs — in tons, cubic yards, bags, and estimated cost.
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DG depth:
2–3″ for paths/patios, up to 4″ for driveways.
Sets the density used to convert volume → tons.
Recommended — DG settles ~20% when tamped.
DG often runs ~$40–80 / ton delivered.
You will need
Estimated DG cost:
Bags assume 0.5 cu ft each. Tons are US (short) tons. Includes the 20% compaction allowance when ticked — always round up and confirm with your supplier.
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How much decomposed granite do I need?
Decomposed granite is sold by the cubic yard or ton. Work out the volume, then convert:
Cubic yards = length (ft) × width (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 27. Multiply cubic yards by the DG density to get tons. Decomposed granite weighs roughly 1.4 tons per cubic yard.
As a rule of thumb, one cubic yard of DG covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches deep (or about 160 sq ft at 2 inches).
How deep should decomposed granite be?
Use
Depth
Topping up an existing DG surface
2 inches
New path or patio
3 inches
Driveway or heavy foot traffic
4 inches (often in two layers)
DG densities used
Material
Density (tons / cu yd)
Decomposed granite (natural / loose)
1.40
Stabilized DG (with binder)
1.45
Crushed granite (¼″–⅜″)
1.45
Densities are typical averages; actual weight varies by moisture and quarry. Use them as a close estimate.
Decomposed granite FAQs
How much decomposed granite do I need for a path?
Multiply length × width × depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by about 1.4 for tons. For example, a 20 × 10 ft path at 3 inches deep needs about 2.2 cubic yards, or roughly 3.1 tons (with a 20% compaction allowance).
How many tons are in a cubic yard of decomposed granite?
Decomposed granite weighs about 1.4 US tons per cubic yard. Stabilized DG with a binder is slightly heavier at around 1.45 tons per cubic yard.
How much area does a ton of decomposed granite cover?
About 70 square feet at 3 inches deep, or roughly 100 square feet at 2 inches. One cubic yard (≈1.4 tons) covers about 100 square feet at 3 inches.
How deep should decomposed granite be?
Use 2 inches to top up an existing surface, 3 inches for a new path or patio, and 4 inches for a driveway or heavy-traffic area (usually installed in two compacted layers).
Why add 20% for compaction?
Loose DG settles roughly 15–20% once it’s tamped to its finished depth, so you need to buy that much extra. Leaving the “Add 20% for compaction” box ticked covers this plus minor waste.