AsphaltTons.com — asphalt tonnage calculator

How Much Decomposed Granite for 100 Square Feet?

How much decomposed granite for 100 square feet depends on depth. At 3 inches you need about 0.93 cubic yards, roughly 1.2 tons at 1.35 tons per yard. Each inch of depth over 100 square feet adds about 0.31 yards.

Volume and tonnage calculator →

Decomposed granite for 100 sq ft by depth

DepthCubic yardsTonsTons +10%
2 in0.620.80.9
3 in0.931.21.4
4 in1.231.71.8

Working it out

  1. 100 sq ft × (3 ÷ 12) ft = 25.0 cubic feet.
  2. ÷ 27 = 0.93 cubic yards.
  3. × 1.35 tons per yard = 1.2 tons.

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. Expect the weight to fall in the range of 1.25 to 1.45 tons per yard.

Getting the order right

  • Measure odd shapes in pieces. Split curves and L-shapes into rectangles and add them.
  • Add a margin. About 10 percent covers compaction and low spots.
  • Bulk or bags. This is small enough that bags may compete with a bulk minimum; price both.
  • Prep first. Remove sod, compact the subgrade and set edging before the stone arrives.

Use the volume and tonnage calculator for any other size.

When to choose decomposed granite

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 14x28 area at 2 inches takes about 3.3 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.

Common estimating mistakes

  • Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
  • Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
  • Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
  • Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.

Questions people ask

How many tons of decomposed granite for 100 square feet?

About 1.2 tons at 3 inches deep.

How many cubic yards of decomposed granite for 100 square feet?

About 0.93 yards at 3 inches.

How much decomposed granite for 100 square feet at 2 inches?

About 0.8 tons, or 0.62 cubic yards.

How much does a yard of decomposed granite weigh?

About 1.25 to 1.45 tons.

Should I add extra?

Yes, about 10 percent is a common allowance.

Related guides

Open the volume and tonnage calculator → Asphalt tonnage calculator →

As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.