How Much Decomposed Granite for a 3x15 Walkway?
How much decomposed granite for a 3x15 walkway is a quick volume problem. 45 square feet at 3 inches comes to 0.42 cubic yards. Decomposed granite usually weighs about 1.25 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard, so plan on roughly 0.6 tons.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 3x15 walkway
- Area: 3 × 15 = 45 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 45 × 0.250 = 11.2 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 0.42 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 0.6 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 | 0.28 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| 3 in | 0.42 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
| 4 in | 0.56 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
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. Ask your supplier for their own tons-per-yard figure, since stone source and moisture shift it.
Preparing the walkway
Dig the path a few inches below grade, compact the bottom, add fabric if needed and install edging on both sides so the material stays on the walk. This walkway sees foot traffic, 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. 0.6 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 about 0.6 tons this job is small enough that bagged material could work; a 0.5 cubic foot bag holds about 1/54 of a yard, so compare the bag count with a bulk minimum.
- Where it drops. Have the truck dump as close to the walkway as firm ground allows.
Where decomposed granite fits
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 2 inches takes about 4.2 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
Questions people ask
How many tons of decomposed granite for a 3x15 walkway?
About 0.6 tons at 3 inches deep, or 0.6 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 3x15 walkway at 3 inches?
About 0.42 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 walkway?
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 3x15?
45 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 20x30 Patio?
- How Much Decomposed Granite for a 3x10 Walkway?
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