Asphalt Calculator
Enter the length, width and compacted thickness of a driveway or parking area to get the tons of hot-mix asphalt needed, with density, waste, truckloads and cost per ton and per square foot.
Asphalt calculator
How to calculate asphalt tonnage
Tons = length × width × thickness (ft) × density (lb/cu ft) ÷ 2,000. A 50 × 12 ft driveway at 3 inches compacted thickness is 150 cu ft; at 145 lb/cu ft that's 21,750 lb = 10.9 tons, or 11.4 tons with 5% extra.
- Density: compacted hot-mix asphalt typically weighs around 140–150 lb per cubic foot depending on the mix; use your plant's figure if you have it.
- Thickness: residential driveways are commonly 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over a compacted gravel base; heavier traffic needs more. Ask your contractor or local requirements.
- Compacted vs loose: asphalt is laid loose and rolled down by roughly a quarter, so plan by the compacted thickness.
Common questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need?
Multiply area in sq ft × thickness in feet × 145 lb/cu ft ÷ 2,000. 1,000 sq ft at 3 inches is about 18 tons.
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 145 lb/cu ft, about 55 sq ft at 3 inches thick, or about 83 sq ft at 2 inches.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Commonly 2–3 inches compacted over a gravel base for cars; more for heavier vehicles.
How much does asphalt weigh per cubic yard?
About 3,900 lb (1.96 tons) at 145 lb/cu ft.
What's the difference between asphalt and blacktop?
In everyday use they mean the same thing: hot-mix asphalt pavement.
Sources
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General information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Check important numbers with the official source before acting on them.