16 Cubic Yards of Decomposed Granite in Tons
16 cubic yards of decomposed granite in tons works out to about 21.6 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 20.0 and 23.2 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 43,200 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 16 × 1.35 = 21.6 tons.
- Low end: 16 × 1.25 = 20.0 tons.
- High end: 16 × 1.45 = 23.2 tons.
If your supplier quotes a different weight per yard, multiply by theirs.
What 16 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,592 |
| 3 in | 1,728 |
| 4 in | 1,296 |
About decomposed granite
DG should be laid in thin lifts, wetted and compacted. Loose DG at a deep depth stays soft and tracks onto shoes.
Hauling 16 yards
Plan the delivery around 21.6 tons: two or more trucks in most areas. A pickup is a poor fit for anything past a fraction of a yard; see how much gravel a half-ton pickup can carry.
Before you order
- Confirm whether the yard prices decomposed granite by the ton or by the yard.
- Add about 10 percent for compaction and uneven ground.
- Clear a firm spot for the truck to dump.
The volume and tonnage calculator converts any area and depth into yards and tons.
Where decomposed granite fits
Good uses:
- Garden paths and patios with a natural look
- Around trees and in xeriscape designs
- Stabilized DG for accessible paths
Less suited to:
- Steep grades without a stabilizer
- Areas right outside doors, since fines track in
- Driveways with heavy turning traffic
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.42 tons of decomposed granite (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 4.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 20x25 area at 4 inches takes about 8.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 16 yards of decomposed granite?
About 21.6 tons, with a typical range of 20.0 to 23.2.
How many pounds is 16 cubic yards of decomposed granite?
About 43,200 pounds.
How much area does 16 yards of decomposed granite cover at 3 inches?
About 1,728 square feet.
Why does decomposed granite weight vary?
Stone size, the share of fines and moisture all change how much a yard weighs.
Is it better to buy by the ton or the yard?
Either works; just convert with the supplier’s own weight per yard so the two quotes compare fairly.
Related guides
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Much Does a Yard of Crushed Stone Weigh?
- 14 Cubic Yards of Decomposed Granite in Tons
- 15 Cubic Yards of Decomposed Granite in Tons
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