Asphalt Calculator
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Compacted hot-mix asphalt is typically about 145 lb/ft³.
Asphalt Needed18.13 tons
Volume (cu ft)250.0
Estimated Cost$1,812.50
Asphalt is ordered by the ton, but a paving job is measured in area and thickness, so you have to convert. This calculator turns a paved area and a compacted lift depth into a volume, multiplies by the mix density (about 145 pounds per cubic foot for typical hot-mix), and divides by 2,000 to get tons. It then prices the order at your quoted rate per ton so you can budget a driveway, lot, or path.
Formula
tons = (area x (depth / 12) x density) / 2000
- area
- Surface area to pave, square feet
- depth
- Compacted lift thickness, inches
- density
- Mix density, lb per cubic foot (~145)
- 2000
- Pounds in one US (short) ton
How it works
- Enter the surface area in square feet, the compacted depth in inches, the mix density in pounds per cubic foot, and the price per ton.
- Depth in inches is divided by 12 to feet, then multiplied by the area to get the volume in cubic feet.
- Volume times density gives pounds of asphalt; dividing by 2,000 converts to tons, which is multiplied by the price per ton for the cost.
Worked example
A 1,000 sq ft driveway paved 3 inches deep with 145 lb/ft³ hot-mix.
- Depth = 3 / 12 = 0.25 ft; volume = 1,000 x 0.25 = 250 cubic feet.
- Weight = 250 x 145 = 36,250 lb.
- Tons = 36,250 / 2,000 = 18.13 tons.
About 18.13 tons; at $100 per ton, roughly $1,812.50 of asphalt.
Frequently asked questions
- What density should I use?
- Compacted hot-mix asphalt averages about 145 lb/ft³, the default here. Some mixes and aggregates run 140 to 150 lb/ft³, so use the figure your supplier quotes for the specific mix when you have it.
- How thick should the asphalt be?
- Residential driveways are commonly 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over a prepared base. Parking lots and roads carrying heavier loads use thicker lifts, often 3 to 4 inches or more, sometimes in multiple layers.
- Does this include the gravel base?
- No. This calculator estimates only the asphalt wearing course. The crushed-stone sub-base beneath it is a separate material; estimate that with an aggregate or gravel calculator.
- Should I order extra?
- Yes, a small allowance is wise. Edges, uneven sub-grade, and compaction losses mean adding roughly 5 to 10 percent over the calculated tonnage helps avoid a short load and a cold joint mid-pour.