Asphalt Calculator
Estimate tons and cubic yards of asphalt needed for a driveway, parking area, or pavement section.
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How this calculator works
Tons = length × width × depth(ft) × density(lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 × (1 + waste).
Worked example
A 60 × 12 ft driveway at 3 in compacted depth needs roughly 13.7 tons using 145 lb/ft³ density and 5% extra.
Confirm compacted thickness and density
Asphalt tonnage is based on compacted volume multiplied by an assumed density. Enter the finished compacted thickness, not the loose depth as it leaves the truck. Mix design and aggregate gradation affect density, so use the plant or contractor’s value when available.
Calculate separate lifts independently when a base course and surface course have different thicknesses or densities. Include widened aprons and transitions in the measured area.
What the tonnage does not include
The material result does not price excavation, aggregate base, grading, tack coat, drainage, mobilization, traffic control, or disposal. Order timing matters because asphalt must be placed and compacted within a workable temperature window. Coordinate plant distance, truck cycles, crew capacity, and equipment before treating the estimate as a production plan.
Sources & assumptions
The default 145 lb/ft³ density is editable. Actual compacted density depends on the mix and target compaction. The Asphalt Paving Alliance handbook explains why mixture density is project-specific.
Frequently asked questions
What density should I use?
145 lb/ft³ is a reasonable planning value for hot-mix asphalt. Ask your supplier for project-specific density.
Is compacted depth the same as loose depth?
No. Installed material compacts. Contractors account for compaction when ordering and placing asphalt.
Asphalt driveway guide
Separate pavement design from quantity math and compare compacted-depth scenarios in the Asphalt driveway thickness and tonnage guide.