How Much Does 17 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
How much does 17 tons of decomposed granite cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 17 tons is roughly 12.6 cubic yards. Spread 3 inches deep, that covers about 1,360 square feet. Halve the depth and you roughly double the area.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 17 ÷ 1.35 = 12.6 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 340 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 3 inches (0.250 ft), 340 ÷ 0.250 = 1,360 sq ft.
Coverage of 17 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 2,040 | 227 |
| 3 in | 1,360 | 151 |
| 4 in | 1,020 | 113 |
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.
Planning around 17 tons
For delivery, 17 tons means multiple trips or a larger truck. Ask the supplier how they will split it. 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.
When to choose 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 8x16 area at 4 inches takes about 2.1 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Where estimates go wrong
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 17 tons of decomposed granite?
About 12.6 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 17 tons of decomposed granite cover at 3 inches?
About 1,360 square feet.
How many square feet does 17 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 2,040 square feet.
How much does a yard of decomposed granite weigh?
About 1.25 to 1.45 tons.
Will 17 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 15 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
- How Much Does 16 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
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