Asphalt calculator
Tons of hot mix asphalt for a driveway, lot or path — suppliers sell by the ton, so that is what you get.
Calculator
Detailed breakdown
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How to use this calculator
Measure
Measure the paved area in feet and set your compacted depth. Residential driveways are usually 2 to 3 inches.
Calculate
Once you hit calculate, results update as you type. Change any number to compare options instantly.
Order
Print the estimate and take it to your supplier. Quantities are rounded up so you don't come up short.
Asphalt tonnage and why depth is the expensive variable
Hot mix asphalt is sold by the ton, so tonnage is the number your supplier needs. We calculate volume from your dimensions and convert at 145 pounds per cubic foot compacted, which works out to about 1.96 tons per cubic yard.
A 100 by 20 foot driveway at 3 inches compacted comes to 500 cubic feet, about 18.5 cubic yards, or roughly 36 tons. That is a meaningful order — and it is why an extra inch of depth is not a rounding error but real money.
Typical residential depths run 2 to 3 inches of surface course over a compacted aggregate base of 4 to 8 inches. Commercial lots and anything that sees truck traffic goes thicker and often use two lifts. The base matters as much as the asphalt: paving over poorly compacted subgrade produces cracking within a couple of seasons regardless of how thick the mix is.
One important caveat about depth. Asphalt is placed loose and then compacted, losing roughly 20 percent of its height in the process. Contractors quote compacted depth, and that is what this calculator assumes. If someone quotes you a loose depth, the finished pavement will be thinner than you think.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt per square foot?
At 3 inches compacted, roughly 0.018 tons per square foot — about 36 tons for a 2,000 square foot driveway.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
Two to three inches of compacted surface over a 4 to 8 inch compacted aggregate base for residential use. Heavier traffic needs more of both.
What does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 2 inches compacted, roughly 80 to 90 square feet. At 3 inches, about 55 to 60 square feet.
Is this loose or compacted depth?
Compacted, which is how contractors and suppliers quote. Asphalt loses roughly 20 percent of its height during compaction.
Can I pave over an existing driveway?
Sometimes — an overlay works if the base is sound and drainage is good. Over cracked or shifting pavement, the cracks reflect through within a season or two.
Sources
Formulas and material assumptions on this page follow published industry guidance: