Asphalt Calculator
Estimate the asphalt you need — enter the area and thickness to get the volume and tonnage of hot-mix asphalt, with an optional price per ton for the cost.
How to estimate asphalt tonnage
Asphalt is ordered by weight, so you first work out the volume of the paving, then convert it to tons using the mix’s density. Multiply the area by the thickness to get cubic feet, then multiply by the density of hot-mix asphalt — about 145 lb per cubic foot — and divide by 2,000 for tons. Enter your length, width and thickness above and the calculator does it, with cubic yards and an optional cost.
tons = length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (ft) × 145 ÷ 2,000
For example, a 40 × 20 ft driveway at 2 inches thick is 40 × 20 × (2 ÷ 12) = 133 cubic feet, ×145 = 19,300 lb, or about 9.7 tons. Order a little extra (5–10%) for compaction and waste. A residential driveway is usually 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over a gravel base.
Asphalt coverage by thickness
| Thickness | Square feet per ton (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | ~165 sq ft |
| 2 inches | ~83 sq ft |
| 3 inches | ~55 sq ft |
Density varies by mix, so treat the tonnage as an estimate and confirm with your supplier. Laying a gravel base first? Size it with the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much asphalt do I need?
Multiply the area by the thickness to get the volume, then multiply by the density of hot-mix asphalt (about 145 lb per cubic foot, or 2.025 tons per cubic yard) to get the weight in tons. Enter your area and thickness above and the calculator estimates the tonnage and cost.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
A residential asphalt driveway is typically 2–3 inches of compacted hot mix over a 4–8 inch gravel base. Heavier use or poor soil calls for more. The calculator defaults to a typical thickness, which you can adjust.
How many tons of asphalt are in a square foot?
It depends on thickness. At 2 inches thick, one square foot of asphalt weighs roughly 24 lb, so about 83 square feet make a ton; at 3 inches it is about 55 square feet per ton. The calculator works it out exactly from your numbers.