How Much Decomposed Granite for a 16x20 Patio?
How much decomposed granite for a 16x20 patio is a quick volume problem. 320 square feet at 3 inches comes to 2.96 cubic yards. Decomposed granite usually weighs about 1.25 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 4.0 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 16x20 patio
- Area: 16 × 20 = 320 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 320 × 0.250 = 80.0 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 2.96 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 4.0 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 | 1.98 | 2.7 | 2.9 |
| 3 in | 2.96 | 4.0 | 4.4 |
| 4 in | 3.95 | 5.3 | 5.9 |
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. 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. 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. 4.4 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
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
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight 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.
- 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 16x20 patio?
About 4.0 tons at 3 inches deep, or 4.4 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 16x20 patio at 3 inches?
About 2.96 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 16x20?
320 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 16x16 Patio?
- How Much Decomposed Granite for a 16x18 Patio?
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