Paths, patios and xeriscape cover: get DG tonnage with compaction included, then order it delivered.
A 4-foot-wide, 40-foot path takes 3 tons of decomposed granite once compaction is counted. DG shrinks 20–25% under the tamper, and that allowance is already in this calculator, so the number you see is the number you order.
Decomposed granite is granite weathered down to a sandy, fine-gravel texture. Mist it, tamp it, and it firms into a natural-looking surface at a fraction of what pavers cost. There is a reason it is all over Arizona and Southern California yards: warm color, water passes through, and a repair amounts to raking in fresh material.
The formula, with a worked example
cubic yards = (L ft × W ft × compacted depth in ÷ 12) ÷ 27 × 1.20
tons = cubic yards × 1.36
A 4 × 40 ft garden path at 3 inches compacted: 40 cubic feet, or 1.48 cubic yards. Add 20% for compaction and you get 1.8 loose yards. Times 1.36 is 2.4 tons, so order 3.
How much does a ton of DG cover?
DG at 1.36 tons per loose cubic yard (about 2,720 lb). Compacted coverage runs about 20% less:
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers | 1 ton covers |
|---|
| 2 inches | 162 sq ft | 119 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 108 sq ft | 79 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 81 sq ft | 60 sq ft |
| 6 inches | 54 sq ft | 40 sq ft |
How much does DG weigh?
Loose DG weighs about 2,720 pounds per cubic yard, or 1.36 tons, and more once compacted. Per delivered ton, figure about 75 square feet at a 3-inch compacted depth. The fines are the binder. DG that arrives with its dust intact is what packs into that classic firm path.
Decomposed granite FAQs
How much does a ton of decomposed granite cover?
Roughly 75 square feet at a 3-inch compacted depth, or about 115 at 2 inches. A standard 4-foot-wide, 40-foot path needs about 3 tons.
How thick should decomposed granite be?
3 inches compacted for paths, 4 for patios, 2 for decorative cover, and 4–6 (stabilized) for anything cars touch. Install and compact in lifts of about 1.5 inches.
What is stabilized decomposed granite?
DG with a polymer or organic binder mixed in. The compacted surface resists rain and wheel ruts. It costs more per ton and it is worth it for driveways and formal paths in rainy climates.
Does decomposed granite stop weeds?
Compacted DG suppresses most weeds, but seeds sprout in the loose top layer after rain. Fabric underneath plus an occasional hand pull keeps paths clean.
Is decomposed granite cheaper than pavers?
By a wide margin. DG installs at a fraction of the cost of pavers or poured concrete, and a repair is raking in new material and re-tamping. The trade-off is that maintenance recurs.
How long does a DG path last?
Decades, structurally. Plan on refreshing the top half inch every 2–3 years in high-traffic areas, about a quarter of the original tonnage.
