How to calculate asphalt tonnage
Asphalt is sold by the ton, but you measure your driveway in feet. To get from one to the other, work out the volume of asphalt the area holds at your chosen thickness, then multiply by the weight of compacted asphalt.
Volume (cu ft) = length (ft) × width (ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12
Tons = volume × 145 lb ÷ 2,000
Example: a 50 × 12 ft driveway paved 3 inches thick holds 50 × 12 × 3 ÷ 12 = 150 cubic feet. At 145 lb per cubic foot, that's 21,750 lb, or about 10.9 tons. With 5% extra you'd order about 11.4 tons.
Coverage per ton of asphalt
| Compacted thickness | One ton covers | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 110 sq ft | 0.91 |
| 2 in | 83 sq ft | 1.21 |
| 3 in | 55 sq ft | 1.81 |
| 4 in | 41 sq ft | 2.42 |
Based on 145 lb per cubic foot. If your supplier gives a different weight for their mix, enter it above.
What else goes into a driveway
- The base: a compacted layer of crushed stone, often 4 to 8 inches, carries the load. Use the gravel calculator to estimate it.
- Drainage: a slight slope away from the house keeps water from sitting on and under the pavement.
- Edges: unsupported edges crumble first. Many contractors taper or support them.
Paving is usually a contractor job because hot mix has to be laid and rolled quickly at temperature. This calculator helps you check that a quote's tonnage makes sense for your driveway.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 2 inches thick, one ton of compacted asphalt covers about 80 square feet. At 3 inches it covers about 55 square feet, and at 4 inches about 40 square feet.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways are commonly paved 2 to 3 inches thick over a well-compacted gravel base. Driveways that see heavy trucks, RVs or poor soil often get 3 to 4 inches or more. The base underneath matters as much as the asphalt itself.
How much does asphalt weigh?
Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 pounds per cubic foot, which is just under 2 tons per cubic yard. The exact weight depends on the mix, so suppliers may quote slightly different figures.
Should I order extra asphalt?
Yes, a small amount. Uneven base grades, edges and compaction mean the actual tonnage usually runs a few percent over the measured volume. Around 5% extra is a reasonable default.
Can I use this for a parking lot or path?
Yes. The calculation is the same for any flat area: area times compacted thickness times density. For large commercial jobs, have a paving contractor confirm thickness and base requirements.