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Asphalt Calculator
Our free asphalt calculator works out how many tons of asphalt you need for a driveway, parking area, or path. Enter the length, width, and depth, and it gives you the volume in cubic feet, the weight in tons, and an estimated material cost in US dollars.
Typical US material price: about $80–$150 per ton. Estimates only.
5% covers compaction under the roller.
| Area | |
| Volume (cubic feet) | |
| Weight (tons) | |
| Weight (pounds) | |
| Estimated material cost |
How it works
Asphalt is sold by the ton, so the calculator first finds the volume of the layer you need, then turns that volume into weight. Asphalt is heavy: one cubic foot weighs about 145 pounds. That is why even a small driveway adds up to several tons, and why the depth of the layer matters so much.
Measure the length and width of the area in feet. For a driveway, measure the full paved area, including any apron where it meets the street. Enter the depth in inches. Most home driveways use 2 to 3 inches of asphalt over a gravel base. If your driveway is not a rectangle, split it into rectangles, work out each one, and add the totals together.
Weight (pounds) = Volume (ft³) × 145 lb per ft³
Tons = Weight (lb) ÷ 2,000 lb
The depth is divided by 12 to change inches into feet so all three measurements use the same unit. Multiplying the volume by 145 gives the weight in pounds, and dividing by 2,000 turns pounds into US tons. The density figure of 145 pounds per cubic foot is the standard value used for hot mix asphalt in the United States. Recycled asphalt millings are a little lighter, but for a normal new driveway this figure is the one contractors plan with.
The cost estimate is for the asphalt material only. A professionally installed driveway in the US usually costs $3 to $7 per square foot all in, including the gravel base, labor, and equipment. If you are hiring a contractor, get two or three written quotes and check that they all specify the same depth, because a cheaper quote often means thinner asphalt.
Worked example
Take a typical single-car driveway in Ohio: 20 feet long and 12 feet wide, with asphalt 3 inches deep. Here is the math, step by step.
First, the area: 20 × 12 = 240 square feet. Next, turn the depth into feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 feet. Multiply area by depth to get the volume: 240 × 0.25 = 60 cubic feet. Now the weight: 60 × 145 = 8,700 pounds. Finally, turn pounds into tons: 8,700 ÷ 2,000 = 4.35 tons. At $110 per ton, the asphalt material costs about $479. With the 5 percent compaction allowance, you would order about 4.57 tons, so round up to 5 tons when you call the plant.
For comparison, a two-car driveway 20 feet by 24 feet at the same 3 inch depth needs 120 cubic feet, which is 8.70 tons — exactly double. And if you went 2 inches thick instead of 3 on the first driveway, the volume would drop to 40 cubic feet and the weight to 2.90 tons, but the thinner surface would crack sooner under a heavy car, so saving money on depth is usually a false economy.
FAQ
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?
A 20 by 12 foot driveway at 3 inches deep needs about 60 cubic feet of asphalt, which is 4.35 tons. Measure your own driveway and use the calculator above, since a longer driveway or a thicker layer changes the total quickly.
How thick should asphalt be for a driveway?
A residential driveway is usually 2 to 3 inches of asphalt over 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel base. Heavier vehicles, such as RVs or delivery trucks, call for 3 to 4 inches of asphalt. Thinner asphalt cracks sooner under weight.
How much does asphalt cost per ton in the US?
Asphalt material typically costs about $80 to $150 per ton in the US, depending on your state and the price of oil. A professionally installed driveway usually runs $3 to $7 per square foot, including labor, base, and materials.
How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
One ton of asphalt covers about 55 square feet at 3 inches thick, or about 80 square feet at 2 inches thick. Thicker layers cover less area per ton, so depth matters as much as the size of the driveway.
Should I add extra asphalt for compaction?
Yes. Many contractors add about 5 percent extra because asphalt compacts under the roller and some is lost at the edges. Round your order up to the nearest half ton so the crew does not run short mid-job.