Asphalt Millings Calculator
Work out how many tons or cubic yards of recycled asphalt millings to order for a driveway, parking area or farm lane. Millings are lighter than hot-mix asphalt and settle when rolled, so this calculator uses its own density and a compaction allowance.
Millings needed
You need about 15.6 tons (8.9 cubic yards) of asphalt millings.
15.6tons
- Cubic yards8.89 yd³
- Truckloads2 × 15-ton
- CostAdd a price
- Metric tonnes14.2 t
- Area600 sq ft
Includes 20% extra for compaction, at 130 lb/ft³.
Estimate only, not a quote or professional advice. Disclaimer
How the millings calculation works
Tons = cubic feet × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 · Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Example: a 20 × 30 ft area at 4 inches is 200 cubic feet. With 20% extra for compaction that's 240 cubic feet, or 8.9 cubic yards. At 130 lb/ft³ it weighs 31,200 lb: 15.6 tons, about one large truckload.
Millings density and weight per cubic yard
New York City's asphalt millings bank lists millings at 120–140 lb/ft³; Nebraska DOT's estimating guide uses 144 lb/ft³ for compacted millings. This calculator defaults to 130, the middle of the city's range.
| lb/ft³ | lb per yd³ | Tons per yd³ | Yd³ per ton |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 3,240 | 1.62 | 0.62 |
| 130 | 3,510 | 1.76 | 0.57 |
| 140 | 3,780 | 1.89 | 0.53 |
| 144 | 3,888 | 1.94 | 0.51 |
Tons of millings per 100 square feet
| Finished depth | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.30 |
| 3 in | 1.95 |
| 4 in | 2.60 |
| 6 in | 3.90 |
Millings vs hot-mix asphalt
- Millings are cheaper per ton and can be spread and rolled by a homeowner with rented equipment; hot mix needs a paving crew.
- Millings make a firm, dark surface, but loose material at the edges and some dust are normal. They don't give a smooth, sealed finish.
- For a paved surface, use the asphalt tonnage calculator. To compare installed prices, see the driveway cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of millings are in a cubic yard?
Asphalt millings typically weigh 120–140 lb per cubic foot, according to New York City's millings program, which works out to about 1.6–1.9 tons per cubic yard. Loose, freshly dumped millings sit at the lower end; well-rolled millings at the higher end.
How deep should asphalt millings be for a driveway?
Many driveway jobs spread about 3 to 4 inches of millings after compaction, more on soft ground or for heavy trucks. A firm, well-drained gravel or soil base underneath matters more than an extra inch on top.
Do asphalt millings compact?
Yes. Millings settle and bind together when rolled, especially in warm weather, so a loose layer ends up thinner. The calculator adds 20% by default when you enter the finished depth; set it to 0 if you entered the loose depth.
Are millings the same as recycled asphalt (RAP)?
Mostly. Millings are the ground-up asphalt removed when a road is milled; RAP (reclaimed asphalt pavement) is the general name for that recycled material. Some suppliers also sell crushed recycled asphalt that started as slabs.
Related calculators
Sources
- NYC Office of Environmental Remediation: Asphalt millings bank fact sheet (Feb 1, 2021)
- Nebraska DOT: Estimating material quantities (Design guide (undated))