Asphalt Calculator
To find tons of asphalt, multiply square yards by thickness in inches by 110 pounds, then divide by 2,000.
Find Your Asphalt Tonnage
Enter the size and compacted thickness, then pick a mix weight.
8.80
tons of compacted asphalt for this area.
480 sq ft, 53.33 sq yd, 4.44 cu yd
Material List
Based on the size you entered.
How It Works
The calculator turns your length and width into square yards, then multiplies by the compacted thickness in inches and the mix weight. Dividing by 2,000 turns pounds into tons.
Tons = (length x width / 9) x thickness x mix weight / 2,000Mix weight means pounds per square yard for each inch of compacted thickness. The default of 110 pounds equals about 147 pounds per cubic foot, and it is the figure used in the yield table of the Constructing Quality Asphalt Pavements Checklist Booklet. The same booklet puts a typical compacted mix at 108 to 120 pounds, so the other two buttons show the ends of that range.
Worked Example
Here is the math for a driveway that is 40 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 3 inches thick, at 110 pounds.
- 40 ft x 12 ft = 480 sq ft
- 480 sq ft / 9 = 53.33 sq yd
- 480 sq ft / 9 x 3 in x 110 lb = 17,600 lb
- 17,600 lb / 2,000 = 8.80 tons
Tons of Asphalt by Area and Thickness
These figures use 110 pounds per square yard per inch. Find your area on the left, then read across to your thickness.
| Area | 2 in Thick | 3 in Thick | 4 in Thick | 6 in Thick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | 2.44 | 3.67 | 4.89 | 7.33 |
| 500 sq ft | 6.11 | 9.17 | 12.22 | 18.33 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 12.22 | 18.33 | 24.44 | 36.67 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 24.44 | 36.67 | 48.89 | 73.33 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 61.11 | 91.67 | 122.22 | 183.33 |
How Thick Should Asphalt Be?
Thickness drives the tonnage, so settle it before you ask for a quote.
A homeowner guide from the Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association calls for at least 2 inches of compacted asphalt on a driveway. For a more durable driveway, it suggests a 2-inch base course and a 1.5-inch surface course, over 6 to 8 inches of compacted granular base.
Local rules can ask for something different. Shaker Heights, Ohio, for example, lists 2 inches of surface course over 6 inches of aggregate base as one driveway option, so check with your city before you order.
Why Your Tonnage Can Differ
The result assumes an even thickness across the whole area, so low spots in the base will use more asphalt.
The real weight also depends on the aggregate, the asphalt content, and the in-place density of your mix. A Tennessee Department of Transportation quantity table, for example, lists one surface mix at 3,816 pounds per cubic yard, which is 106 pounds per square yard per inch. That is a little under the typical range above, so ask the plant for the figure on your mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
These cover the questions that come up most often.
How Many Tons of Asphalt Are in a Cubic Yard?
At 110 pounds per square yard per inch, a cubic yard of compacted asphalt weighs 3,960 pounds, or 1.98 tons. At 120 pounds, it weighs 2.16 tons.
How Much Does Asphalt Weigh per Square Foot?
At 110 pounds per square yard per inch, asphalt weighs about 12.2 pounds per square foot for each inch of thickness. A 3-inch layer weighs about 36.7 pounds per square foot.
How Far Does a Ton of Asphalt Go?
At 110 pounds, one ton covers about 9.09 square yards at 2 inches thick, which is about 81.8 square feet. At 3 inches thick, it covers about 6.06 square yards, or about 54.5 square feet.
Should I Enter Loose or Compacted Thickness?
Enter compacted thickness, because that is what the mix weight is based on. A compacted layer is typically about three-quarters of its loose thickness, so the material list shows about how deep to spread it before rolling.
Does the Result Include the Base?
No, the result covers the asphalt only. The granular base under it is a separate material, and a driveway guide from the Ontario Hot Mix Producers Association calls for 6 to 8 inches of it, compacted.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the sources below.
This result is an estimate. Check your measurements before you order. If we got something wrong, please contact us.