How Much Does 45 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
How much does 45 tons of decomposed granite cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 45 tons is roughly 33.3 cubic yards. Spread 3 inches deep, that covers about 3,600 square feet. Go thinner and it covers more; go deeper and it covers less.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 45 ÷ 1.35 = 33.3 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 900 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 3 inches (0.250 ft), 900 ÷ 0.250 = 3,600 sq ft.
Coverage of 45 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 5,400 | 600 |
| 3 in | 3,600 | 400 |
| 4 in | 2,700 | 300 |
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.
Putting 45 tons to use
For delivery, 45 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.
Good and poor uses for decomposed granite
Works well for:
- 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 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 6.5 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Common estimating mistakes
- 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.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 45 tons of decomposed granite?
About 33.3 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 45 tons of decomposed granite cover at 3 inches?
About 3,600 square feet.
How many square feet does 45 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 5,400 square feet.
How much does a yard of decomposed granite weigh?
About 1.25 to 1.45 tons.
Will 45 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 35 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
- How Much Does 40 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
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