How Much Does 5 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
How much does 5 tons of decomposed granite cover depends on how deep you spread it. At about 1.35 tons per cubic yard, 5 tons is roughly 3.7 cubic yards. Spread 3 inches deep, that covers about 400 square feet. Every added inch of depth cuts the coverage noticeably.
Volume and tonnage calculator →How the coverage is figured
- Tons to cubic yards: 5 ÷ 1.35 = 3.7 yd³.
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: × 27 = 100 cu ft.
- Divide by depth in feet: at 3 inches (0.250 ft), 100 ÷ 0.250 = 400 sq ft.
Coverage of 5 tons at different depths
| Depth | Square feet covered | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 600 | 67 |
| 3 in | 400 | 44 |
| 4 in | 300 | 33 |
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. 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 5 tons to use
For delivery, 5 tons usually fits on one smaller dump 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
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 12x24 area at 3 inches takes about 3.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 1.35 tons per cubic yard.
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
- 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.
- Assuming every supplier uses the same weight. Two yards selling the same product name can quote different tons per yard.
Questions people ask
How many cubic yards is 5 tons of decomposed granite?
About 3.7 cubic yards at 1.35 tons per yard.
How many square feet does 5 tons of decomposed granite cover at 3 inches?
About 400 square feet.
How many square feet does 5 tons cover at 2 inches?
About 600 square feet.
How much does a yard of decomposed granite weigh?
About 1.25 to 1.45 tons.
Will 5 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 3 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
- How Much Does 4 Tons of Decomposed Granite Cover?
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