How Much Decomposed Granite for a 5x30 Walkway?
How much decomposed granite for a 5x30 walkway: at 3 inches deep you need about 1.39 cubic yards, which is roughly 1.9 tons at 1.35 tons per yard. The walkway covers 150 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 0.46 yards.
Volume and tonnage calculator →The math for a 5x30 walkway
- Area: 5 × 30 = 150 sq ft.
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
- Cubic feet: 150 × 0.250 = 37.5 cu ft.
- Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 1.39 yd³.
- Tons: × 1.35 = 1.9 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 | 0.93 | 1.2 | 1.4 |
| 3 in | 1.39 | 1.9 | 2.1 |
| 4 in | 1.85 | 2.5 | 2.8 |
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. If the yard sells by the cubic yard instead of the ton, use the cubic-yard column directly.
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. 2.1 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 walkway as firm ground allows.
Good and poor uses for decomposed granite
Best suited to:
- 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 3 inches takes about 4.9 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.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
Questions people ask
How many tons of decomposed granite for a 5x30 walkway?
About 1.9 tons at 3 inches deep, or 2.1 tons with 10 percent extra.
How many cubic yards is a 5x30 walkway at 3 inches?
About 1.39 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 5x30?
150 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 5x20 Walkway?
- How Much Decomposed Granite for a 5x25 Walkway?
As an Amazon Associate, AsphaltTons.com earns from qualifying purchases. Product links below are sponsored.