Asphalt Calculator
Enter the length, width and compacted thickness of the area you are paving. The calculator returns the tons of hot-mix asphalt to order (asphalt is sold by the ton), the volume in cubic yards, and a cost once you add a price per ton.
Updated · How we calculate
Your measurements
Residential driveways are usually 2–3 in over a gravel base; overlays 1.5–2 in.
Asphalt needed
8.7 tons
≈ 4.44 yd³
Typical installed cost
Installed, materials + labor — a ballpark to sanity-check bids, not a quote. See the cost breakdown.
Estimates only. Verify against your supplier's coverage figures before ordering.
Footprint
Footprint to scale
Coverage
- Surface area
- 480 ft²
- Area in square yards
- 53.33 yd²
- Weight
- 17,400 lb
How much asphalt for common paving jobs
| Job | Size | Asphalt needed | Also | Typical installed cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pothole patch | 4 × 4 ft, 3 in thick | 0.29 tons | ≈ 0.15 yd³ | — |
| Walking path | 100 × 4 ft, 2 in thick | 4.83 tons | ≈ 2.47 yd³ | — |
| Single-car driveway | 40 × 12 ft, 3 in thick | 8.7 tons | ≈ 4.44 yd³ | $3,360–$6,240 |
| Two-car driveway | 40 × 20 ft, 3 in thick | 14.5 tons | ≈ 7.41 yd³ | $5,600–$10,400 |
| Driveway overlay | 40 × 20 ft, 1.5 in thick | 7.25 tons | ≈ 3.7 yd³ | — |
| Long driveway | 150 × 12 ft, 3 in thick | 32.63 tons | ≈ 16.67 yd³ | $12,600–$23,400 |
| Parking pad | 24 × 24 ft, 3 in thick | 10.44 tons | ≈ 5.33 yd³ | $4,032–$7,488 |
| Small parking lot | 100 × 50 ft, 4 in thick | 120.83 tons | ≈ 61.73 yd³ | — |
Figures use this calculator's default settings; tap one above the inputs to load it and adjust. Installed costs are national ballparks, not quotes.
The formula
Tons = Length ft × Width ft × (Thickness in ÷ 12) × 145 lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000
Example: A 40 ft × 12 ft driveway paved 3 in thick = 120 ft³ × 145 lb = 17,400 lb ≈ 8.7 tons of asphalt.
How it works
- 1Multiply length × width for the area in square feet.
- 2Multiply by the compacted thickness in feet (inches ÷ 12) for cubic feet.
- 3Multiply by 145 lb/ft³ and divide by 2,000 to convert to tons — the unit asphalt plants sell by.
- 4Add 5–10% in the advanced options if the base is uneven or the edges are irregular.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 145 lb/ft³, one ton of compacted hot-mix asphalt covers about 166 ft² at 1 inch thick, 83 ft² at 2 inches, 55 ft² at 3 inches and 41 ft² at 4 inches.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
A cubic yard of compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 3,915 lb, or 1.96 tons (27 ft³ × 145 lb/ft³). Loose, uncompacted mix weighs less per yard, which is why asphalt is ordered by the ton and not by volume.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Most residential driveways are paved 2 to 3 inches thick (compacted) over a 4 to 8 inch compacted gravel base. Driveways that carry heavy trucks or RVs are usually 4 inches or more. An overlay on sound existing pavement is typically 1.5 to 2 inches.
How do I calculate asphalt tonnage by the square yard?
Use about 110 lb per square yard for each inch of compacted thickness. For example, 100 square yards at 2 inches is 100 × 2 × 110 = 22,000 lb, or 11 tons.
How much asphalt do I need for a two-car driveway?
A 20 ft × 40 ft driveway (800 ft²) paved 3 inches thick needs about 14.5 tons of hot-mix asphalt. At 2 inches thick it needs about 9.7 tons.
Should I order extra asphalt?
Yes. Plan on 5–10% extra to cover an uneven base, edge losses and compaction. A short load is expensive to fix because a second small delivery cools quickly and leaves a visible seam.