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How Much Decomposed Granite for a 14x10 Patio?

A 14 by 10 foot patio is 140 square feet. How much decomposed granite for a 14x10 patio depends on depth: at 3 inches it is about 1.30 cubic yards or 1.8 tons. Suppliers usually sell by the ton, so the tonnage is the number to give them.

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The math for a 14x10 patio

  1. Area: 14 × 10 = 140 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic feet: 140 × 0.250 = 35.0 cu ft.
  4. Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.30 yd³.
  5. Tons: × 1.35 = 1.8 tons.

The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.

Decomposed granite needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons (approx.)Tons +10%
2 in0.861.21.3
3 in1.301.81.9
4 in1.732.32.6

About decomposed granite

Decomposed granite (DG) is weathered granite broken into small particles and fines. It packs into a firm, natural-looking path surface, and stabilized versions include a binder. If the yard sells by the cubic yard instead of the ton, use the cubic-yard column directly.

Preparing the patio

Remove sod, level the area with a slight slope away from the house, and lay landscape fabric if weeds are a concern. Edging keeps loose material inside the patio footprint. This patio sees foot traffic and furniture, so match the depth to that load rather than to the minimum.

Ordering tips

  • Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
  • Delivery size. 1.9 tons fits in a single typical dump truck load; small loads may carry a delivery fee. See how many tons of gravel in a dump truck.
  • Bulk vs bags. At this size bulk delivery is usually the practical choice.
  • Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the patio as firm ground allows.

Good and poor uses for decomposed granite

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 12x24 area at 2 inches takes about 2.4 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.

Common estimating mistakes

  • Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
  • Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
  • Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
  • Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.

Questions people ask

How many tons of decomposed granite for a 14x10 patio?

About 1.8 tons at 3 inches deep, or 1.9 tons with 10 percent extra.

How many cubic yards is a 14x10 patio at 3 inches?

About 1.30 cubic yards.

How much does a cubic yard of decomposed granite weigh?

Usually around 1.25 to 1.45 tons, depending on stone size, fines and moisture.

How deep should decomposed granite be for a patio?

The table above shows 2 to 4 inches. Shallower depths suit top dressing; deeper depths suit new installs and heavier use.

How many square feet is 14x10?

140 square feet.

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