Asphalt Calculator
Blacktop tons, volume, and area from length, width, and depth in both systems.
What it does
Blacktop orders by the ton while driveways measure by the foot: area times depth gives volume, and compacted density near 145 lb per cubic foot turns it into weight. Plants ticket tons because density varies less than loose volume.
The tool above takes length, width, and depth in either system with a waste share. It returns tons with volume and area beside them.
The default 24 by 12 ft drive at 3 in with 5% waste needs 5.48 tons (2.80 yd3 over 288 ft2). The metric mirror of 7.32 by 3.66 m at 7.6 cm needs 4.97 tonnes, the same mat in tonnes.
The density follows paving association quantity guidance with federal pavement materials references matching the compacted unit weight. Both place standard hot mix near 145 lb/ft3, about 1.96 tons per cubic yard.
How to use
- Pick imperial (feet, inches) or metric (meters, cm).
- Measure length and width edge to edge.
- Enter compacted depth: 2 to 3 in for drives.
- Add waste: 5% for rectangles, more past curves.
- Read tons first, since plants sell weight.
Formula
- 145
- Compacted hot mix lb per cubic foot.
- 2,000
- Pounds per short ton.
- 2.32268
- Metric twin: tonnes per cubic meter.
One cubic yard runs about 1.96 tons, a handy cross check. Loose mix weighs less per yard than compacted mat, so always order to compacted density.
Worked example
Example: 24 by 12 ft drive at 3 in
Imperial defaults: 24 ft, 12 ft, 3 in, 5% waste.
- Depth in feet: 3 / 12 = 0.25 ft.
- Volume: 24 x 12 x 0.25 x 1.05 = 75.6 ft3.
- Weight: 75.6 x 145 = 10,962 lb.
- Tons: 10,962 / 2,000 = 5.48 tons (2.80 yd3).
- Tool shows 5.48 tons, 2.80 yd3, 288 ft2.
Reference table
| Size / depth | Tons | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 24 x 12 ft, 3 in, 5% | 5.48 tons | 2.80 yd3 |
| 40 x 15 ft, 2 in, 8% | 7.83 tons | 4.00 yd3 |
| 10 x 10 ft, 4 in, 5% | 2.54 tons | 1.30 yd3 |
Limits
- Rectangles only; curves and cutouts need measured areas.
- Compacted density assumed; mixes vary by aggregate.
- Base stone, tack, and labor sit outside material tons.
- Soft subgrade needs depth engineering beyond this page.
Common mistakes
- Ordering by cubic yards like concrete instead of tons.
- Using loose 130 lb/ft3 density for compacted mat.
- Paving too thin over soft base to save tons.
- Skipping waste on edged and curved drives.
- Comparing per ton prices across different mix types.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
40 by 15 ft at 2 in with 8% waste?
108 ft3: 7.83 tons (4.00 yd3).
How deep for a home drive?
2 to 3 in compacted over 4 to 6 in of compacted base.
Tons in a cubic yard?
About 1.96 tons of compacted hot mix.
Questions
How many tons for my driveway?
Length times width times depth in feet times 145 over 2,000, plus waste. The example 24 by 12 ft at 3 in is 5.48 tons.
Why tons instead of yards?
Weight stays consistent while loose volume varies by mix and day. Plants ticket tons.
What density should I use?
145 lb/ft3 compacted for standard hot mix. Open mixes run lighter.
How thick should asphalt be?
Home drives 2 to 3 in compacted over sound base; heavy loads want more with engineering.
How much waste to add?
5% for clean rectangles, 8 to 12% past curves, edges, and patches.
Asphalt or concrete?
Asphalt costs less upfront and repairs easier; concrete lasts longer per slab. Compare installed quotes, not just material.