Decomposed Granite: Size, Uses, and Cost Per Ton (2026)
Also called: DG, Decomposed Granite Fines, Granite Fines, Crushed Granite Fines, Stabilized DG
Decomposed Granite at a Glance
| Size | Decomposed granite is a mix of sand-sized particles and small granite chips, usually 1/4 inch minus, sometimes 3/8 inch minus. |
|---|---|
| Weight per cubic yard | 2,600 to 3,000 lbs (1.30 to 1.50 tons) |
| Cubic yards per ton | 0.67 to 0.77 |
| Cost per ton | $43 to $152 per ton |
| Cost per cubic yard | $84 to $109 per cubic yard |
| 10-ton truckload | $430 to $1,520 before delivery |
| Compaction | High (12%). Packs into a firm, almost paved surface. |
| Drainage | Low. Fines fill the voids, so it sheds water instead of soaking it in. |
| Best for | Garden paths and walkways, Patios (stabilized), Xeriscape ground cover, Between stepping stones and pavers |
| Wrong for | Steep slopes, Pool decks, Freeze-thaw climates without stabilizer, Heavy vehicle traffic |
Need Decomposed Granite? See yards near you that stock it and ask them for a price.
Find Decomposed Granite near meWhat Is Decomposed Granite?
Decomposed granite, or DG, is granite that weathered in the ground into a mix of sand, silt, and small chips, then was dug and screened to 1/4 or 3/8 inch minus. It costs $43 to $152 per ton in 2026, weighs 1.3 to 1.5 tons per cubic yard, and compacts into a firm, natural-looking path or patio surface in gold, tan, gray, or rose. It is the standard path material in California, Arizona, Texas, and most of the drought-tolerant West.
Loose Versus Stabilized DG
There are two products under the same name. Loose DG is the raw screened material. It compacts well at first, then loosens at the surface with traffic and rain, so it tracks into the house and needs a rake now and then. Stabilized DG has a binder mixed in, either a dry polymer added at the yard (about 10 to 15 pounds per ton) or a liquid stabilizer sprayed on after compaction. It sets up hard, sheds water, and stays put for years. Stabilized costs $10 to $30 more per ton, and it is worth it for any patio, driveway, or path that gets daily use. A third option, resin-bound DG, is a paving product installed by contractors at $8 to $15 per square foot.
What Decomposed Granite Is Used For
- Garden paths and walkways. Two to 3 inches over compacted soil. The classic look in xeriscape and Mediterranean gardens.
- Patios. Three inches of stabilized DG over 3 to 4 inches of compacted base. Firm enough for tables and chairs.
- Driveways and parking (stabilized). Four inches of stabilized DG over 4 inches of crusher run base works for light car traffic. Not for heavy trucks.
- Ground cover between pavers and stepping stones. Fills joints and packs level.
- Tree wells and planting beds. Lets water through, looks like soil, and suppresses weeds.
- Bocce courts and putting green base. Compacts flat and smooth.
- Dog runs. Drains well and is easy to clean.
How DG Behaves
The fines are what make DG work. Wet it, compact it, and the sand and silt lock the chips in place. Compaction is about 12 percent, so order a bit extra. The finished surface is firm underfoot and wheelchair and stroller friendly when stabilized. Water soaks in slowly, so DG counts as a permeable surface in many codes, but standing water on unstabilized DG turns the top half inch to mud. Grade it with a 2 percent slope.
In hot, dry climates DG is nearly maintenance free. In wet climates and freeze-thaw zones it erodes and heaves, so it is far less common east of Texas. If you are in the Midwest or Northeast, stone dust or crushed limestone fines do the same job with local rock.
Installing Decomposed Granite
Excavate 3 to 4 inches, install edging (steel or aluminum is the usual choice, and it matters because DG spreads without it), lay landscape fabric only if you have a weed problem, and spread DG in 1.5-inch lifts. Wet each lift until it is damp all the way through, then run a plate compactor over it. For stabilized DG, follow the binder instructions and keep traffic off for 48 to 72 hours. A 3-inch loose layer packs to about 2.5 inches.
What Decomposed Granite Costs
Loose DG runs $43 to $152 per ton, or $84 to $109 per cubic yard. The spread is wide because the price depends on how close you are to a granite source: Colorado yards published prices near $46 per ton in September 2026 while California yards were above $150. Stabilized adds $10 to $30 per ton on top. One ton covers about 80 square feet at 3 inches. A 10 x 20 ft patio at 3 inches needs about 2.5 tons, which is $110 to $380 in loose DG plus $25 to $75 for stabilizer. A 10-ton truckload of loose DG runs $430 to $1,520 before delivery. Bagged DG at home centers costs $6 to $10 per half-cubic-foot bag, which is 6 to 8 times the bulk price.
What to Avoid
Do not use loose DG next to a pool or on a slope over 5 percent; it washes and tracks. Do not put it where water sheets across it. Do not use it under pavers as the bedding layer (use it as base only if stabilized). Do not use it in freeze-thaw climates without stabilizer. And do not skip the edging. DG without edging turns into a wider, thinner path every year.
Project guide: Gravel Patio Guide: How Much You Need, Depth, and Cost per Square Foot
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What Yards Charge for Decomposed Granite, October 2026
- Median per ton
- $46
- Middle half $43 to $53. 6 prices from 3 yards.
- Median per cubic yard
- $105
- Middle half $84 to $123. 11 prices from 3 yards.
Cheapest in Colorado, median $84 per cubic yard. Most expensive in California, median $123.
| State | Median per cubic yard | Middle half | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $84 | $78 to $84 | 4 |
| California | $123 | $123 to $206 | 6 |
From prices yards publish on their own websites, for the decomposed granite alone, before delivery and tax. A state is listed once it has three or more prices. Updated monthly; the next update is due November 3. Gravel prices by state.
What Decomposed Granite Costs in 2026
Decomposed Granite costs $43 to $152 per ton, or $84 to $109 per cubic yard. A 10-ton single-axle truckload runs $430 to $1,520 before delivery. An 18-ton tandem load runs $774 to $2,736. Delivery adds $50 to $150 within 10 to 15 miles of the supplier.
| Quantity | Material cost |
|---|---|
| 1 ton | $43 to $152 |
| 1 cubic yard | $84 to $109 |
| 10-ton single-axle load | $430 to $1,520 |
| 18-ton tandem load | $774 to $2,736 |
| 100 sq ft at 3 inches deep | $65 to $258 |
Common at landscape yards across the West and Southwest, less common east of Texas. Ask whether it is loose or stabilized and what color; gold and tan are standard, gray and rose cost more. Sold by the ton or the yard.
Prices vary by region and order size. See the gravel cost per ton guide and the delivery cost guide.
How Much Decomposed Granite for Common Projects
Tons include 12% compaction and a 10% waste allowance. Formula: cubic yards = square feet x depth in inches / 324.
| Project | Depth | Cubic yards | Tons to order | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft patio (200 sq ft) | 2 in | 1.2 | 2.0 to 2.3 | $86 to $350 |
| 12 x 40 ft driveway (480 sq ft) | 4 in | 5.9 | 9.5 to 11.0 | $409 to $1,672 |
| 3 x 50 ft walkway (150 sq ft) | 3 in | 1.4 | 2.2 to 2.6 | $95 to $395 |
Different size? Use the gravel calculator or convert with the tons to yards calculator.
Compare Decomposed Granite With Other Materials
Side-by-side size, cost, drainage, and best-use comparisons.
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Project Guides That Use Decomposed Granite
Gravel Patio Guide: How Much You Need, Depth, and Cost per Square Foot
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Gravel Walkway Guide: 2 Inches Deep, 1 Ton per 100 Sq Ft, $3 to $6 per Foot
A gravel walkway needs 2 to 3 inches of pea gravel, decomposed granite, or #89 stone inside rigid edging. A 3-foot-wide path uses about 1...
Landscaping With Gravel: How Much to Order, Depth by Use, and Cost
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Decomposed Granite by City
Suppliers stock Decomposed Granite in these cities:
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Yards with published prices first.
14880 Brighton Rd, Brighton, Colorado
4408 Vahan Ct, Lancaster, California
13051 Old Richmond Rd, Houston, Texas
Tucson, Arizona
2984 Monterey Rd, San Jose, California
1755 E Las Vegas St, Colorado Springs, Colorado
1719 US-87, Fredericksburg, Texas
2904 Beyer Ln, Stockton, California
9948 State Hwy Spur #264, Quinlan, Texas
14448 W 96th Ave, Arvada, Colorado