Recommended depth: 30-50 mm
Total Area
Volume Required
Weight Required
Number of Bags Needed
How We Calculated This
What is Grano Dust?
Grano dust, also known as granite dust or crushed granite, is a fine granite-based aggregate commonly used across the UK in landscaping and construction projects. This material typically consists of 0-4mm or 0-6mm particles, making it ideal as a laying course or bedding layer for various applications.
As a premium base aggregate for artificial grass installations, grano dust provides exceptional compaction and creates a smooth, stable surface that's perfect for synthetic lawn foundations. The fine particles compact tightly together, preventing movement and ensuring a level base that won't shift over time.
Common Uses for Grano Dust
- Artificial Grass Base: Creates the perfect laying course for artificial lawns, providing excellent drainage and a smooth, stable surface
- Patio and Paving: Forms an ideal bedding layer for paving slabs, block paving, and patio stones
- Driveways and Parking Areas: Provides a solid, compactable base layer that supports heavy loads
- Paths and Walkways: Ensures a stable, level foundation for garden paths and pedestrian areas
- Floor Screeds and Granolithic Toppings: Can be used in specialist flooring applications
Advantages of Grano Dust
- Excellent compaction properties for a stable, firm base
- Superior drainage characteristics prevent waterlogging
- Creates an exceptionally smooth finish, perfect for artificial grass installations
- More stable than sharp sand, reducing settlement and movement
- Cost-effective solution for professional-quality results
- Easy to work with and level during installation
Why Use a Grano Dust Calculator?
Our grano dust coverage calculator UK tool helps homeowners, landscapers, and professional installers accurately determine material requirements for any project. Using this artificial grass base calculator or general granite dust calculator offers several important benefits:
Save Money and Reduce Waste
Ordering the exact amount of grano dust you need prevents over-ordering, which wastes money and creates disposal problems. Under-ordering means additional delivery charges and project delays. This grano dust quantity calculator ensures you get it right the first time.
Plan Delivery and Storage
Knowing whether you need 15 bags or 3 bulk bags helps you arrange appropriate delivery vehicles and prepare adequate storage space. This grano dust bag calculator shows you exactly how many 25kg bags or bulk bags (850kg) you'll need.
Professional Project Planning
For landscaping businesses and contractors, accurate material calculations are essential for quotations, scheduling, and profit margins. This base aggregate calculator provides the precise figures you need for professional estimates.
Confidence in Your Purchase
Understanding exactly what you're ordering, from volume to weight to number of bags, gives you confidence when speaking with suppliers and ensures you receive the correct amount.
Recommended Grano Dust Depth for Different Projects
The correct grano dust depth for artificial grass, patios, driveways, and other projects varies depending on the application. Use this table as a guide when planning your project:
| Project Type | Recommended Depth Range | Typical Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Grass / Lawn | 30-50 mm | 40 mm | Provides smooth laying course over MOT Type 1 sub-base. Ensures excellent drainage and level surface. |
| Patio / Paving | 30-50 mm | 35-40 mm | Creates stable bedding layer for paving slabs and block paving. Allows for leveling adjustment. |
| Driveway / Parking | 40-50 mm | 50 mm | Thicker layer supports vehicle weight. Must be well compacted for best results. |
| Path / Walkway | 25-35 mm | 30 mm | Lighter use allows for thinner application while maintaining stability. |
| Floor Screed | 25-50 mm | 30 mm | Specialist application; consult technical specifications for your specific requirements. |
Note: These are general guidelines. Always consult your supplier or installer for project-specific recommendations, especially for specialist applications or unusual ground conditions.
How to Use This Grano Dust Calculator
Our artificial grass sub base calculator is designed to be simple and intuitive. Follow these steps to calculate your grano dust requirements:
-
Select Your Project Type
Choose from artificial grass, patio, driveway, path, screed, or custom project. The calculator automatically suggests appropriate depth ranges for your selection.
-
Choose Input Mode
For a single rectangular area, use "Simple Area" mode. If you're covering multiple separate areas (e.g., front and back garden), switch to "Multiple Areas" to add each section individually.
-
Enter Your Dimensions
Input the length and width of your area. You can work in metres, feet, or yards - the calculator handles conversions automatically. The grano dust volume calculator works seamlessly with any measurement system.
-
Set the Depth
Enter your required grano dust laying course depth in millimetres, centimetres, or inches. The calculator shows recommended depths based on your project type.
-
Adjust Advanced Options (Optional)
Fine-tune the density if your supplier specifies a different value (default is 1.5 tonnes/m³). Adjust the waste allowance percentage - we recommend 10% to account for compaction and spillage.
-
Add Pricing Information (Optional)
Enter prices per tonne, per 25kg bag, or per bulk bag to get a cost estimate. This helps with budgeting and comparing supplier quotes.
-
Review Your Results
The calculator instantly shows total area, volume, weight, and number of bags needed. Use the "Copy Results," "Download CSV," or "Print Summary" buttons to save your calculations.
This grano dust weight calculator updates in real-time as you adjust values, so you can experiment with different depths or dimensions to find the optimal solution for your project.
Grano Dust vs MOT Type 1 and Sharp Sand
Understanding the differences between grano dust, MOT Type 1, and sharp sand helps you choose the right materials for each layer of your project. These materials work together to create a professional installation:
MOT Type 1 Sub-Base
MOT Type 1 is a crushed stone aggregate (typically 0-40mm) used as the main hardcore or sub-base layer. This forms the deep, load-bearing foundation of driveways, patios, and artificial grass installations. For most projects, you'll need 75-100mm of compacted MOT Type 1 as your primary sub-base.
Our separate MOT Type 1 sub base calculator can help you determine requirements for this layer.
Grano Dust Laying Course
Grano dust (0-4mm or 0-6mm) sits on top of the MOT Type 1 sub-base as a finer bedding or laying course. This layer is typically 30-50mm thick and provides:
- A smooth, level surface for artificial grass or paving
- Better compaction than sharp sand
- Excellent drainage while maintaining stability
- Reduced risk of settlement compared to sand-only installations
Sharp Sand
Sharp sand (also called grit sand) is commonly used for paving jointing and some bedding applications. However, for artificial grass installations, grano dust is generally superior because:
- Grano dust compacts more firmly, reducing movement
- Sharp sand can shift and settle over time, creating uneven surfaces
- Grano dust provides better long-term stability for synthetic lawns
- The granite particles in grano dust lock together more effectively
Typical Layer Structure for Artificial Grass
- Soil/Ground Level - Excavated and leveled
- MOT Type 1 Sub-Base - 75-100mm, compacted (use our sub base calculator UK tool)
- Grano Dust Laying Course - 30-50mm, compacted (this calculator)
- Artificial Grass - Installed on top
For patio and driveway projects, the layer structure is similar, with grano dust providing the final bedding layer for paving slabs or block paving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much grano dust do I need for artificial grass?
For artificial grass installations, you typically need a 30-50mm layer of grano dust as the laying course on top of your MOT Type 1 sub-base. A standard 40mm depth is most common. To calculate the exact amount for your lawn, measure your area in square metres and use this grano dust for artificial grass calculator. For example, a 50m² artificial lawn with 40mm depth requires approximately 2 cubic metres (3 tonnes) of grano dust, which equals roughly 120 25kg bags or 3.5 bulk bags.
What's the coverage of a 25kg bag of grano dust?
A single 25kg bag of grano dust covers approximately 0.25-0.3 square metres at a typical 40mm depth, or roughly 0.017 cubic metres. This means you'll need about 4 bags per square metre at 40mm depth. The actual coverage depends on compaction and the exact depth you're applying. For larger projects, bulk bags are more economical - one 850kg bulk bag covers roughly 13-14m² at 40mm depth.
Is grano dust the same as granite dust?
Yes, grano dust and granite dust are the same material - crushed granite aggregate in the 0-4mm or 0-6mm size range. Different suppliers and regions may use different names, including "crushed granite," "granite grit," or simply "grano." The material consists of finely crushed granite stone particles that compact well to create a stable base for landscaping and construction projects. When ordering, confirm the particle size (0-4mm or 0-6mm) with your supplier, as this can vary.
Can I use grano dust for block paving?
Yes, grano dust is excellent for block paving installations. It's used as the bedding layer (laying course) between the compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base and the paving blocks themselves. A depth of 30-50mm is typical for block paving projects. Grano dust provides a stable, well-draining bedding layer that compacts firmly to prevent block movement. It's superior to sharp sand for this application because it offers better long-term stability and reduced risk of settlement.
What depth of grano dust for patio base?
For patio installations, a grano dust depth of 30-50mm is recommended, with 35-40mm being the most common choice. This depth provides sufficient material to create a level bedding layer for your paving slabs while allowing for minor adjustments during installation. The grano dust sits on top of your compacted MOT Type 1 sub-base (which should be 75-100mm thick). Always compact the grano dust thoroughly before laying paving slabs to prevent future settlement.
How do you compact grano dust?
Compact grano dust using a vibrating plate compactor (wacker plate) for best results. First, spread the grano dust evenly to your desired depth. Lightly moisten the material with water spray - this helps particles bind together during compaction. Then, make several passes with the plate compactor in different directions until the surface is firm and level. For small areas, a hand tamper can work, but a mechanical compactor ensures proper compaction for professional results. Proper compaction is crucial for preventing future settlement.
Should I use grano dust or sharp sand for artificial grass?
Grano dust is generally the better choice for artificial grass installations compared to sharp sand. While both materials can be used as a laying course, grano dust offers superior compaction and stability. The angular granite particles lock together more effectively than sand grains, reducing the risk of settlement and surface movement over time. Sharp sand can be more prone to shifting, especially in high-traffic areas. Most professional artificial grass installers prefer grano dust for the base aggregate layer, using it on top of MOT Type 1 sub-base for optimal results.
How much does grano dust cost per tonne or per bag?
Grano dust prices in the UK typically range from £25-45 per tonne when ordered in bulk, though this varies by region and supplier. A 25kg bag usually costs £3-6, while an 850kg bulk bag typically costs £35-70. Prices can vary based on location, delivery distance, and order volume. Buying in bulk bags is almost always more cost-effective than buying multiple 25kg bags for larger projects. Use our pricing calculator above to compare costs from different suppliers and determine the most economical option for your project size.
Can grano dust be used for driveways?
Yes, grano dust is suitable for driveway installations as the bedding layer for block paving or paving slabs. For driveways, use a slightly thicker layer of 40-50mm (50mm is recommended) to better support vehicle loads. The structure should be: excavated ground, then 100-150mm of compacted MOT Type 1 hardcore sub-base, then 40-50mm of grano dust laying course, and finally your paving material. The grano dust must be thoroughly compacted with a vibrating plate compactor for driveway applications to prevent rutting or settlement under vehicle weight.
Do I need to add extra for waste when ordering grano dust?
Yes, it's essential to add a waste allowance when ordering grano dust. We recommend adding 10% to account for compaction, spillage, uneven ground, and installation adjustments. Some professionals add up to 15% for complex installations or uneven areas. This calculator includes an adjustable waste allowance setting (default 10%) to ensure you order sufficient material. It's far better to have a small amount left over than to run short and face additional delivery charges for a small top-up order. Excess grano dust can often be used for other garden projects or stored for future use.