Asphalt calculator
Enter the size of the area and how thick the asphalt will be after compaction. You get tons, cubic yards, a rounded-up order amount, and an optional cost estimate.
Figures last reviewed October 2026. See sources.
Density used
Default density is 145 lb per cubic foot, about 1.96 tons per cubic yard, a typical figure for compacted hot-mix asphalt. State transportation departments publish figures of roughly 106 to 110 pounds per square yard per inch of thickness for dense-graded mixes, which is about 141 to 147 lb per cubic foot. Mixes differ, so use the number your supplier or contractor gives you if you have it.
Compacted thickness: typical ranges
These are common ranges, not requirements. Your soil, climate, and local rules may call for something different.
| Use | Depth |
|---|---|
| Overlay on sound existing pavement | 1.5 to 2 in |
| Residential driveway (over a 4 to 6 in compacted stone base) | 2 to 3 in |
| Heavier loads (RVs, delivery trucks, trailers) | 3 in or more, over a thicker base |
| Patching | Match the surrounding pavement |
How this is calculated
Area times thickness gives volume. Volume times density gives weight. The calculator converts everything to feet and inches internally, so you can enter metric values and get the same answer.
The thickness you enter should be the finished, compacted thickness. The density figure is also for compacted asphalt, so the tonnage already reflects what you need delivered. The extra percentage (5% by default) covers waste, uneven ground, and edges.
For an L-shaped or split area, use Add another area and the sections are added together. To go the other way, switch to How far will mine go? and enter the tons you have.
Example: a 40 ft by 12 ft area at 2 inches deep, with 5% extra, needs about 6.09 tons (3.11 cubic yards).
How far does one ton go?
Area covered by one ton at different depths, before any extra material.
| Depth | Square feet covered |
|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 110 |
| 2 in | 83 |
| 2.5 in | 66 |
| 3 in | 55 |
| 4 in | 41 |
Quick reference: common sizes
Amount needed in tons, including the default 5% extra. Use the calculator above for your exact size.
| Area | 2 in deep | 3 in deep |
|---|---|---|
| 12 × 20 ft | 3.05 | 4.57 |
| 12 × 40 ft | 6.09 | 9.14 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 5.08 | 7.61 |
| 24 × 24 ft | 7.31 | 10.96 |
| 12 × 60 ft | 9.14 | 13.70 |
Common questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the thickness in feet, then by the density, and divide by 2,000 to get tons. The calculator above does this for you and adds your extra percentage.
How much area does one ton of asphalt cover?
At 2 inches compacted thickness and the default density, one ton covers about 83 square feet. At 3 inches it covers about 55 square feet. See the coverage table for other thicknesses.
How thick should a driveway be?
Residential driveways are commonly paved 2 to 3 inches thick over a compacted stone base. Requirements depend on soil, climate, and the loads the surface will carry, so confirm the thickness with your contractor or local requirements.
What is the 110 pounds per square yard per inch rule?
It is a field shortcut: one square yard of compacted dense-graded asphalt, one inch thick, weighs roughly 110 pounds. State agencies use figures from about 106 to 110. At the default density of 145 lb per cubic foot the figure works out to about 109, so the two methods agree closely.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
At the default density it is about 1.96 tons per cubic yard. Real mixes vary, so you can change the density under the advanced options.
Why is my contractor's number different?
Contractors may use a different density, thickness, or allowance for waste and compaction, and they may account for tapering at edges. Treat this as an estimate for planning and budgeting, and ask for the assumptions behind a quote.
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