20 Cubic Yards of Decomposed Granite in Tons
20 cubic yards of decomposed granite in tons works out to about 27.0 tons using a planning weight of 1.35 tons per yard. Real loads land between roughly 25.0 and 29.0 tons depending on stone size, fines and moisture. That is about 54,000 pounds.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The conversion
- Yards × tons per yard: 20 × 1.35 = 27.0 tons.
- Low end: 20 × 1.25 = 25.0 tons.
- High end: 20 × 1.45 = 29.0 tons.
The scale ticket on delivery day is the final word on weight.
What 20 yards covers
| Depth | Square feet |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 3,240 |
| 3 in | 2,160 |
| 4 in | 1,620 |
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 20 yards
Plan the delivery around 27.0 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
Works well for:
- Garden paths and patios with a natural look
- Around trees and in xeriscape designs
- Stabilized DG for accessible paths
Think twice for:
- 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 15x30 area at 3 inches takes about 5.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons is 20 yards of decomposed granite?
About 27.0 tons, with a typical range of 25.0 to 29.0.
How many pounds is 20 cubic yards of decomposed granite?
About 54,000 pounds.
How much area does 20 yards of decomposed granite cover at 3 inches?
About 2,160 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?
- 18 Cubic Yards of Decomposed Granite in Tons
- 19 Cubic Yards of Decomposed Granite in Tons
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