Decomposed Granite Calculator
Estimate decomposed granite volume, weight and cost for paths and landscape projects.
Tell us about your project
Keep your project handy.
Save a plan file, load one later, or create a link with your current inputs. Shared links include your ZIP and quote reference if entered. Keep private information out of those fields.
Know which DG product you are buying
Loose, stabilized and bound products can require different preparation and placement. Ask the manufacturer whether a binder is included and follow its installation specification. The calculator does not determine binder dosage.
Finished depth is not loose delivery depth
Fine material may compact considerably. Ask the supplier for the loose volume needed to achieve the finished layer. The extra percentage is a user-controlled ordering allowance, not an automatic compaction factor.
Pathway example
A 30 × 4-foot path at an example 2-inch depth contains 0.74 yd³ before allowance. With 10% extra and assumed density of 1.30 US tons/yd³, the result is approximately 1.06 US tons. Separate any underlying base layer.
Sources and methodology
Our volume and weight formulas are documented in the calculation methodology. Material densities are editable planning assumptions, not measured product specifications. For road selection and drainage principles, see Penn State Extension. For sand product distinctions, see QUIKRETE Mason Sand and All-Purpose Sand. Follow local and manufacturer specifications.
Measure twice.
Order once.
For a rectangle, multiply length × width × depth with all dimensions in feet. Divide cubic feet by 27 to get cubic yards. For a circle, area is π × radius².
Order volume = measured volume × (1 + extra percentage ÷ 100). Weight = order volume in cubic yards × density in US tons per cubic yard. One US short ton is 2,000 pounds; it is different from a metric tonne.
A calculator for the job.
A little know-how goes a long way.
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Turn your estimate into a useful conversation with your supplier.
Read the guide ↗Plan it with a little expert help.
Independent third-party resources. Regional guidance and product specifications may differ from your site.
Better access roads
Explore surface aggregate selection, drainage and road maintenance.
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Industry guidance covering site preparation, base aggregate, bedding and installation.
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Learn about rain-garden siting, soil testing and managing water in the landscape.
Read expert article ↗Before you order
How much does one cubic yard of gravel weigh?
There is no single weight for every gravel product. This calculator starts at 1.4 US tons per cubic yard for crushed gravel as a planning assumption. Ask your supplier for the actual bulk density, then change the density field.
Does this account for compaction?
The extra percentage is an ordering allowance, not an engineered compaction factor. If your depth describes the finished compacted layer, ask the supplier or contractor how much loose material is required to achieve it.
How do I measure an irregular area?
Break it into rectangles and circles and calculate each section separately. Avoid counting overlapping sections twice. For varying depths, take several measurements and use a representative average, or calculate each depth zone separately.