Materials
Asphalt Tonnage Calculator
Asphalt plants sell hot mix asphalt (HMA) by the ton. Enter the paving area and compacted thickness to estimate the tonnage to order.
Formula
Tons = area (ft²) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 lb/ton. Compacted HMA typically weighs about 140 to 150 lb/ft³, which works out to roughly 110 lb per square yard per inch of thickness.
Worked example
A 50 ft by 20 ft driveway with 3 in of compacted asphalt: area = 1,000 ft², volume = 1,000 × 3 ÷ 12 = 250 ft³. At 145 lb/ft³: 250 × 145 ÷ 2,000 = 18.13 tons.
Assumptions and limits
- Density of 145 lb/ft³ is a typical compacted value; mix designs vary.
- Excludes waste, tack coat and the aggregate base. Add 3% to 5% for edge loss and irregular areas.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 145 lb/ft³, one ton is 13.8 ft³, which covers about 55 ft² at 3 in thick or 83 ft² at 2 in thick.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Residential driveways commonly use 2 to 3 in of compacted asphalt over 6 to 8 in of compacted aggregate base. Heavier traffic needs thicker sections designed by an engineer.
What is the rule of thumb of 110 lb per square yard inch?
One square yard is 9 ft², and 1 in thick is 0.75 ft³. At about 145 lb/ft³ that is roughly 109 to 110 lb, a common estimating shortcut.