How Much Does 16 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
How much does 16 tons of decomposed granite cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 16 tons is roughly 11.9 cubic yards. Spread 3 inches deep, that covers about 1,280 square feet. Every added inch of depth cuts the coverage noticeably.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 16 ÷ 1.35 = 11.9 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 320 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 3 inches (0.250 ft), 320 ÷ 0.250 = 1,280 sq ft.
Coverage of 16 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1,920 | 213 |
| 3 in | 1,280 | 142 |
| 4 in | 960 | 107 |
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 runs about 1.25 to 1.45 tons per cubic yard, so treat the table as a planning range rather than an exact figure.
What 16 tons looks like on site
16 tons is about one tandem-axle truck load, though legal limits vary by truck and state. Spread from the pile with a loader, skid steer or wheelbarrow, then rake to depth before compacting if the material calls for it.
- Check depth as you go. Stakes marked at the target depth help keep the spread even.
- Expect some loss. Compaction and uneven ground use more than the flat-math figure. Keep about 10 percent in reserve.
- Ask about moisture. Wet material weighs more, so a ton of it covers less.
To run your own numbers, use the volume and tonnage calculator.
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
Less suited to:
- 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 8x16 area at 4 inches takes about 2.1 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.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons 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.
- 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 cubic yards is 16 tons of decomposed granite?
About 11.9 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 16 tons of decomposed granite cover at 3 inches?
About 1,280 square feet.
How many square feet does 16 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 1,920 square feet.
How much does a yard of decomposed granite weigh?
About 1.25 to 1.45 tons.
Will 16 tons fit in one truck?
It depends on the truck. Single-axle dump trucks often carry under 10 tons and tandems around 13 to 16; your supplier will know their limits.
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 14 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
- How Much Does 15 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
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