How Much Does Decomposed granite (DG) Weigh?
Granitic rock broken down into gravel, sand, and fine particles. Popular for pathways, xeriscape landscaping, and driveways. Compacts well; range is 2,400–2,700 lbs/cu yd depending on moisture and compaction.
Decomposed granite (DG) is granite that has naturally weathered — or been mechanically processed — down to a mix of small gravel, coarse sand, and fine particles rather than staying in solid rock form. That blend of particle sizes, from pebble down to dust, is what lets it pack into a firm, semi-solid surface once compacted, unlike single-size gravels.
It's a favorite for xeriscaping and naturalistic hardscaping because it reads as a warm tan or rust-colored 'natural ground' rather than obviously placed stone. Stabilized DG products add a binder for firmer, less-shifting surfaces, while raw DG stays looser underfoot.
What Decomposed granite (DG) Is Used For
- Garden and xeriscape pathways
- Patio and courtyard surfacing
- Low-traffic driveways and parking areas
- Drought-tolerant landscape groundcover
- Base layer under flagstone
Weight Facts
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,500 lbs
- Weight per cubic yard
- 2,500 lbs
- Weight per cubic foot
- 93 lbs
- Weight per ton (yards)
- 0.80 cu yd
- Category
- Aggregate & Gravel
How Much Decomposed granite (DG) Can Each Truck Carry?
| Truck | Payload | Safe max (cubic yards) | Full bed wt. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Maverick | 1,500 lbs | 0.60 | 3,083 lbs ⚠ |
| Honda Ridgeline | 1,500 lbs | 0.60 | 3,139 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.56 | 3,880 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Colorado (3rd Gen) | 1,500 lbs | 0.60 | 3,880 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (2nd Gen) | 1,400 lbs | 0.56 | 3,880 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Canyon (3rd Gen) | 1,450 lbs | 0.58 | 3,880 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford Ranger | 1,560 lbs | 0.62 | 4,009 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Frontier | 1,160 lbs | 0.46 | 3,713 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tacoma | 1,100 lbs | 0.44 | 3,185 lbs ⚠ |
| Jeep Gladiator | 1,200 lbs | 0.48 | 3,287 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-150 | 1,525 lbs | 0.61 | 5,769 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1,600 lbs | 0.64 | 6,639 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1,500 lbs | 0.60 | 6,639 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 1500 | 1,240 lbs | 0.50 | 5,694 lbs ⚠ |
| Toyota Tundra | 1,485 lbs | 0.59 | 6,074 lbs ⚠ |
| Nissan Titan | 1,460 lbs | 0.58 | 5,519 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-250 Super Duty | 3,000 lbs | 1.20 | 7,269 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (SRW) | 4,000 lbs | 1.60 | 7,269 lbs ⚠ |
| Ford F-350 Super Duty (DRW) | 5,500 lbs | 2.20 | 7,269 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.28 | 7,731 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 2500HD | 3,200 lbs | 1.28 | 7,731 lbs ⚠ |
| Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.28 | 7,731 lbs ⚠ |
| GMC Sierra 3500HD (DRW) | 5,700 lbs | 2.28 | 7,731 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 2500 | 1,950 lbs | 0.78 | 6,917 lbs ⚠ |
| RAM 3500 (DRW) | 6,280 lbs | 2.51 | 6,917 lbs ⚠ |
⚠ = full bed weight exceeds truck payload. Safe max is by payload rating, not bed volume.
Hauling Decomposed granite (DG): What to Know
Decomposed granite runs around 2,500 lbs per cubic yard dry, but that figure can climb toward 2,700 lbs when the material is moist since the fine particles hold water more than clean gravel does. Because of that swing, a load picked up right after rain can weigh noticeably more than the same volume bought dry, which matters if you're already close to your truck's payload limit.
Buying & Ordering Decomposed granite (DG)
DG is sold by the cubic yard or in bags for smaller garden projects, and suppliers usually offer both raw (loose) and stabilized (binder-added) versions — worth asking about explicitly, since stabilized DG costs more but resists erosion and shifting far better for paths and patios. Color can vary by quarry source, so ask to see a sample if the look of your patio or path matters.
Calculate Your Load
“Fill Truck” sets quantity to whichever comes first: payload weight limit or bed volume.
⚠ Overloaded — 1,000 lbs over capacity
This load exceeds the published payload rating and may damage the truck's suspension, frame, tires, and brakes. Reduce quantity or use a higher-rated truck.
Standard AWD EcoBoost payload. Tremor drops to ~1,140 lbs; the 2025+ Lobo off-road trim is lower still (~1,045 lbs). Check door-jamb sticker.
2 trips needed with your Ford Maverick
Decomposed granite (DG) — Frequently Asked Questions
- Does decomposed granite wash away in the rain?
- Raw, unstabilized DG can erode or migrate during heavy rain, especially on slopes. Stabilized DG, which includes a binding additive, holds together much better and is the usual choice for pathways that see regular weather.
- Can decomposed granite be used for a driveway?
- Yes, for low-traffic residential driveways, especially when compacted well and topped with a stabilizer. It's not typically recommended for heavy or daily vehicle traffic without added binder.
- How much does Decomposed granite (DG) weigh per cubic yard?
- Decomposed granite (DG) weighs approximately 2,500 lbs per cubic yard. Granitic rock broken down into gravel, sand, and fine particles. Popular for pathways, xeriscape landscaping, and driveways. Compacts well; range is 2,400–2,700 lbs/cu yd depending on moisture and compaction.
- How much Decomposed granite (DG) can a half-ton truck carry?
- A typical half-ton truck with a 1,500 lb payload can safely carry about 0.60 cubic yards of Decomposed granite (DG).
- How many cubic yards per ton of Decomposed granite (DG)?
- Decomposed granite (DG) weighs 2,500 lbs per cubic yard, so one ton (2,000 lbs) equals approximately 0.80 cubic yards.
Related Material Weights
- Gravel, pea (washed) — 2,500 lbs/yd³
- Gravel, crushed stone (#57) — 2,410 lbs/yd³
- Gravel, river rock — 2,600 lbs/yd³
- Gravel, limestone — 2,610 lbs/yd³
- Gravel, recycled concrete (RCA) — 2,410 lbs/yd³
- Gravel, crusher run (DGA) — 2,700 lbs/yd³
- Lava rock / scoria — 1,650 lbs/yd³
- Riprap (2"–6") — 2,650 lbs/yd³
Helpful Guides
- How Much Gravel Do You Need for a Driveway?
Calculate how many cubic yards and tons of gravel a driveway needs, how many truckloads that is, and which base and top layers to use.
- Cubic Yards, Tons, and Bags: A Material Conversion Guide
How to convert between cubic yards, tons, and bags for gravel, sand, soil, and mulch — with the density figures and formulas that make the math work.
- What Happens If You Overload Your Truck?
Overloading a pickup risks tickets, tire blowouts, brake failure, frame damage, and a voided warranty. Here is what actually happens and how to stay legal and safe.