Asphalt Calculator
Estimate the hot-mix asphalt for a driveway, path or small parking area. Enter the size and compacted thickness to get the volume and the tonnage to order.
- In cubic feet
- 26.3 cu ft
- Approx. weight
- 1.94 tons
- Area covered
- 100 sq ft
How this calculator works
Volume is the area multiplied by the compacted depth, with the depth converted from inches to feet. Cubic feet are divided by 27 to get cubic yards.
Asphalt plants sell by the ton. Compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, or roughly 2 tons per cubic yard, which the calculator uses by default.
Paving contractors usually order 5–10% extra to cover edges, low spots and compaction.
Example: a 50 × 10 ft driveway, 3 inches thick
- Area: 50 × 10 = 500 sq ft.
- Volume: 500 × (3 ÷ 12) = 125 cu ft = 4.63 cu yd.
- Weight: 4.63 × 2 = 9.26 tons, or about 9.7 tons with 5% extra.
Quick reference
| Compacted thickness | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.23 |
| 3 in | 1.85 |
| 4 in | 2.47 |
Tips before you buy
- Asphalt needs a well-compacted gravel base — typically 4–8 inches — underneath. Use the gravel calculator for the base.
- Measure the depth as compacted thickness; loose asphalt is laid about 25% thicker and rolled down.
- Small jobs and patches can use cold-patch asphalt in bags, sold by weight.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 2. A 50 × 10 ft driveway at 3 inches needs about 9.3 tons.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways are usually 2–3 inches of compacted asphalt over a gravel base. Heavier vehicles need 3–4 inches or more.
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Last updated October 25, 2026