How Much Decomposed Granite for a 16x12 Patio?
How much decomposed granite for a 16x12 patio: at 3 inches deep you need about 1.78 cubic yards, which is roughly 2.4 tons at 1.35 tons per yard. The patio covers 192 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.59 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x12 patio
- Area: 16 × 12 = 192 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 192 × 0.250 = 48.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.78 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 2.4 tons.
The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.
Decomposed granite needed by depth
| Depth | Cubic yards | Tons (approx.) | Tons +10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.19 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
| 3 in | 1.78 | 2.4 | 2.6 |
| 4 in | 2.37 | 3.2 | 3.5 |
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. Weight per yard is a planning number; the scale ticket at the yard is the real one.
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. Since the patio carries foot traffic and furniture, a little extra depth is cheap insurance.
Ordering tips
- Round up. Compaction and uneven ground eat material. Adding about 10 percent is common.
- Delivery size. 2.6 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.
When to choose decomposed granite
Good uses:
- 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 20x25 area at 3 inches takes about 6.3 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
Questions people ask
How many tons of decomposed granite for a 16x12 patio?
About 2.4 tons at 3 inches deep, or 2.6 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x12 patio at 3 inches?
About 1.78 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 16x12?
192 square feet.
Related guides
- Crushed Stone vs Gravel: Differences and Best Uses
- Tons to Cubic Yards for Gravel: Conversion Chart
- How Many Tons of Gravel in a Dump Truck? Loads and Coverage
- How Much Does a Ton of Gravel Cover? Depth Chart
- How Much Decomposed Granite for a 14x30 Patio?
- How Much Decomposed Granite for a 16x10 Patio?
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