Plan Compacted Decomposed Granite, Stabilizer, Loads and Cost
Estimate compacted and loose cubic yards, tons, stabilizer, bags, truckloads, delivery and installed cost for patios, paths, driveways and multiple sections.
Project dimensions
Installed layers
Material and stabilizer
Cost planning
Decomposed granite estimate
How much decomposed granite do I need?
Calculate compacted volume from area and finished depth, then increase it for loose delivery, compaction, grading and waste. Weight is based on the selected bulk density, which should be replaced with the supplier’s value when available.
Natural versus stabilized decomposed granite
Stabilized installations may require a specified binder rate and construction method. The stabilizer field is kept separate from the DG tonnage so the assumptions remain visible.
Why is loose volume larger than installed volume?
Loose material contains more air space. Compaction reduces that volume to the finished layer.
Can I include a base layer?
Yes. The result separately reports aggregate-base volume so it is not confused with the decomposed granite quantity.
Decomposed granite quantity for paths, patios and compacted bases
Decomposed granite is not estimated exactly like decorative river rock. A path or patio may include a separate base layer, a loose-to-compacted conversion and an optional stabilizer. This calculator keeps those quantities separate so the finished depth is not confused with the amount delivered before compaction.
Natural, stabilized and resin-bound planning
Natural decomposed granite is often compacted with water. Stabilized products may use an added stabilizer or arrive pre-blended, while resin-bound systems follow manufacturer-specific coverage rates. The calculator can estimate loose aggregate, a separate base and a user-entered stabilizer rate, but product instructions should control when they specify a different application method.
Installed depth and loose order depth
The installed depth is the final compacted layer. The loose-volume factor increases that finished volume to estimate material before compaction. Waste is applied separately for grading variation, spillage and edge shaping. Keeping these inputs separate prevents the common mistake of applying one unexplained percentage to every loss.
Base aggregate
A durable path may need a compacted base below the decomposed granite. Enter the base depth and density independently. The results then show decomposed granite and base aggregate as separate cubic-yard and ton quantities, which helps when they are ordered from different suppliers.
Stabilizer and project cost
The stabilizer result uses the entered application rate and selected unit. Material price, truck capacity, delivery, installation and stabilizer cost are displayed individually before the total project estimate. This makes it possible to compare bulk delivery with bagged material or a do-it-yourself installation with a contractor quote.
Measurement and installation checks
- Split curved or irregular paths into measurable sections.
- Use the average width when a path tapers.
- Confirm whether supplier density refers to loose or compacted material.
- Allow for drainage slope and edging before choosing finished depth.
- Follow local base and compaction recommendations for vehicle loads.
Coverage example
A 30-foot by 4-foot path has 120 square feet of surface. At a compacted depth of 3 inches, its finished decomposed-granite volume is 30 cubic feet, or about 1.11 cubic yards, before loose-volume and waste adjustments. The calculator then applies the selected factors in the result breakdown.
Can I use a landscape rock calculator instead?
A broad rock calculator can estimate geometric volume, but this dedicated tool also separates compacted DG, loose order volume, base aggregate and stabilizer.
How much extra decomposed granite should I order?
There is no universal percentage. Use the editable loose-volume and waste fields based on product instructions, supplier guidance and site conditions.