Loose tonnage, compaction shrinkage & stabilizer takeoff
Loose DG for informal garden paths — lowest cost, but erodes and rutts over time without a binder.
Typical DG pathways: 2–3″ compacted. Driveways or high-traffic areas: 3–4″.
Loose DG shrinks 20–25% once compacted. This is why the loose material delivered looks like far more than your finished depth — it's normal, not overordering.
Leave blank to use the default for your selected DG type.
Check your product label — coverage varies by brand and dilution ratio. 50–80 sq ft per gallon of concentrate is typical.
Most two-part resin binders are supplied in pre-measured kits — confirm exact mix ratio with your resin manufacturer's data sheet.
Please enter a valid area and depth first.
Loose Tonnage to Order
–US tons
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Real-World Hauling Equivalents
Stabilizer Takeoff
Project Inputs
Estimates are approximate and based on standard DG bulk densities and typical compaction shrinkage rates. Actual shrinkage, coverage, and binder ratios vary by material source, moisture, and manufacturer. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.
Decomposed granite, usually shortened to DG, is weathered granite that has broken down into small, gravel-like particles with a natural, earthy color. It's a popular choice for garden paths, patios, and driveways because it compacts into a firm, walkable surface while still looking informal.
DG comes in three main forms. Standard loose DG is the cheapest option, best for informal paths, but it erodes and rutts over time without a binder. Stabilized DG mixes in an organic, plant-based binder that locks the material in place, resisting erosion while staying permeable to water. Resin-bound DG goes a step further, creating a hardened, paved-feel surface that holds up to heavy foot or even light vehicle traffic.
The one thing every type of loose DG has in common: it shrinks once compacted, sometimes by as much as a quarter of its volume. That's the exact problem QuickTonnage's calculator is built to solve.
DG stands for decomposed granite small, naturally weathered granite particles used for pathways, patios, and driveways.
Standard loose DG typically runs $40–$60 per ton delivered, with stabilized and resin-bound versions costing more due to the added binder.
Not always. Informal garden paths can use standard loose DG without one. High-traffic areas, slopes, or anywhere you want to stop erosion benefit from a stabilizer.
Typically 20–25%. That's why QuickTonnage asks for your target finished depth and calculates the loose amount to order from there, rather than the other way around.
Yes. Resin-bound DG is mixed with a binder and screeded to near its final thickness, so it doesn't compact and shrink the way loose or stabilized DG does. QuickTonnage's calculator adjusts for this automatically when you select it.