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How Much Decomposed Granite for a 6x60 Walkway?

How much decomposed granite for a 6x60 walkway: at 3 inches deep you need about 3.33 cubic yards, which is roughly 4.5 tons at 1.35 tons per yard. The walkway covers 360 square feet, so every inch of depth adds about 1.11 yards.

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The math for a 6x60 walkway

  1. Area: 6 × 60 = 360 sq ft.
  2. Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.250 ft.
  3. Cubic feet: 360 × 0.250 = 90.0 cu ft.
  4. Cubic yards: ÷ 27 = 3.33 yd³.
  5. Tons: × 1.35 = 4.5 tons.

The volume and tonnage calculator does this for any size.

Decomposed granite needed by depth

DepthCubic yardsTons (approx.)Tons +10%
2 in2.223.03.3
3 in3.334.55.0
4 in4.446.06.6

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. 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. Since the walkway carries foot traffic, 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. 5.0 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

Poor fit 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 4 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
  • Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.

Mistakes that throw off the order

  • Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
  • Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
  • Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons 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 6x60 walkway?

About 4.5 tons at 3 inches deep, or 5.0 tons with 10 percent extra.

How many cubic yards is a 6x60 walkway at 3 inches?

About 3.33 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 6x60?

360 square feet.

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