Asphalt Calculator: How Many Tons Do I Need?
Enter your driveway, parking pad or path to see how many tons of asphalt (blacktop) to order, plus cubic yards, truckloads and paving cost. Results update as you type.
Asphalt needed
You need about 3.7 tons of asphalt.
3.7tons
- Volume1.87 yd³
- Truckloads1 × 15-ton
- Total costAdd a price
- Cost per area—
- Area288 sq ft
- Same weight3.3 metric tonnes
Includes 5% extra for waste. 2 in compacted at 145 lb/ft³.
Estimate only, not a quote or professional advice. Disclaimer
Split the L into two rectangles that don't overlap, then enter each one.
How the asphalt calculator works
Asphalt is sold by weight, so the calculator turns your area into a volume and the volume into tons:
- Find the area in square feet (length × width for a rectangle; add each area for odd shapes).
- Multiply by the thickness in inches ÷ 12 to get cubic feet.
- Multiply by the density (about 145 lb per cubic foot for compacted hot mix) and divide by 2,000 to get tons.
- Add a little extra for waste, then divide by the truck size to count loads.
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27 · Metric tonnes = tons × 0.907
Worked example: a 12 × 24 ft driveway
A 12 × 24 ft driveway is 288 sq ft. At 2 inches thick that is 288 × 2 ÷ 12 = 48 cubic feet. At 145 lb/ft³ it weighs 6,960 lb, or 3.48 tons. Add 5% for waste and you order about 3.7 tons (1.87 cubic yards), which fits in one 15-ton truck. At $121 a ton, a typical price for asphalt material, that is about $442 for the asphalt alone, before labor, base and delivery.
Want the installed price? The asphalt driveway cost calculator adds labor, the gravel base and resurfacing vs new. For common sizes, see the 12 × 24 ft driveway and 20 × 40 ft driveway pages.
Tons of asphalt per square foot by thickness
| Thickness | lb per sq ft | Tons per 100 sq ft | Sq ft per ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 12.1 | 0.60 | 166 |
| 1.5 in | 18.1 | 0.91 | 110 |
| 2 in | 24.2 | 1.21 | 83 |
| 2.5 in | 30.2 | 1.51 | 66 |
| 3 in | 36.3 | 1.81 | 55 |
| 4 in | 48.3 | 2.42 | 41 |
| 5 in | 60.4 | 3.02 | 33 |
| 6 in | 72.5 | 3.62 | 28 |
Asphalt density
Density changes the answer as much as thickness does. Nebraska DOT's estimating guide lists asphaltic concrete at 120–148 lb/ft³ depending on the mix. Ask your plant for its mix density if you want an exact figure; see asphalt weight and density for conversions.
| Material | lb/ft³ | kg/m³ | Tons per yd³ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compacted hot-mix asphalt (this calculator’s default) | 145 | 2,323 | 1.96 |
| Dense-graded hot mix, well compacted | 148 | 2,371 | 2.00 |
| Lighter or open-graded mixes | 120 | 1,922 | 1.62 |
| Asphalt millings (RAP), loose to compacted | 130 | 2,082 | 1.76 |
Tips before you order
- Measure the finished paved area, not the lot. For curved edges, a few rectangles or a circle plus a rectangle get close.
- The thickness here is the compacted thickness. Crews place loose asphalt about 20–25% thicker so it rolls down to size; the tonnage is the same.
- Hot mix has to be placed while hot, so plan truck timing with the plant. Many plants close or switch mixes in winter.
- Estimates, not quotes: use the result to check a contractor's numbers, then go by their written quote.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need per square foot?
At 2 inches thick and 145 lb/ft³, asphalt weighs about 24.2 lb per square foot, or 0.0121 tons. One ton covers about 83 sq ft at 2 inches, 55 sq ft at 3 inches and 41 sq ft at 4 inches.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways are commonly paved about 2 inches thick for an overlay on sound existing asphalt and 3 to 4 inches for a new driveway on a compacted gravel base. Driveways that carry trucks, RVs or heavy equipment need more. Local practice and soil vary, so ask your contractor what thickness they recommend and put it in the written quote.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of asphalt?
A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. At 145 lb/ft³ that is 3,915 lb, or about 1.96 tons per cubic yard of compacted asphalt. Loose asphalt in a truck weighs less per cubic yard than the same asphalt after rolling.
How many tons of asphalt does a dump truck hold?
It depends on the truck and on your state’s weight limits. Smaller tandem dump trucks often haul around 10 to 15 tons, and larger tri-axle trucks carry more. The calculator uses 15 tons per load by default; change it to the size your supplier quotes.
Is blacktop the same as asphalt?
Yes. “Blacktop,” “asphalt” and “paving” usually mean the same hot-mix asphalt pavement on a driveway or parking lot, so the same tonnage math applies. Some people use “blacktop” for the thin top layer specifically.
How much extra asphalt should I order for waste?
Most estimates add about 5 to 10 percent for uneven base, edges, and material left in the truck or paver. The calculator adds 5% by default; use more for small, irregular or hand-raked areas.
Related calculators
Sources
- Nebraska DOT: Estimating material quantities (Design guide (undated))
- LawnStarter: How much does an asphalt driveway cost? (Oct 19, 2026)