Asphalt Calculator
Work out how much asphalt a driveway, parking pad or path needs. Enter the length, width and compacted thickness and the calculator returns the weight in US tons — the unit asphalt plants sell by — plus the volume and an estimated material cost.
How it works
Volume (cu ft) = length × width × (thickness ÷ 12). Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, so tons = cu ft × density ÷ 2,000, plus your waste allowance. As a check, one ton covers roughly 80 sq ft at 2 in thick. Material cost = tons × your price per ton.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need?
Multiply length × width × thickness (thickness in feet), multiply by about 145 lb per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000. A 40 × 12 ft driveway at 3 in is about 8.7 tons. This calculator does it and adds a waste allowance.
How much area does a ton of asphalt cover?
About 80 square feet at 2 inches compacted, or roughly 55 sq ft at 3 inches. Coverage drops as the layer gets thicker because tonnage scales with depth.
How thick should asphalt be?
A residential driveway is usually 2–3 in of compacted asphalt over a 4–8 in compacted gravel base; parking lots and areas with heavy vehicles go thicker. Confirm the spec with your paving contractor.
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Estimates are for planning only. Material yields, densities and code requirements vary — confirm quantities with your supplier and local building code before ordering.