Asphalt Calculator
Enter the length, width, and thickness of the area you're paving. Cubic feet, tons of hot-mix asphalt, and estimated cost update as you type. Add a price per ton to see the project cost.
| Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Thickness (in) | $/ton |
|---|---|---|---|
Assumes 145 lb per cubic foot for compacted hot-mix asphalt. If your supplier quotes a different density, scale the tons figure by density ÷ 145. Price is optional.
Asphalt tonnage formula
Tons of hot-mix asphalt come from the paved volume and a standard compacted density of 145 lb per cubic foot:
The thickness gets divided by 12 to convert inches to feet before multiplying, since length and width are already in feet. Dividing the final weight by 2000 converts pounds to tons.
Tons per 100 square feet
Use this table to sanity-check the calculator or to estimate a job by area alone, without measuring length and width separately.
| Thickness | Tons per 100 sq ft | Sq ft covered per ton |
|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 1.21 | 83 |
| 3 in | 1.81 | 55 |
| 4 in | 2.42 | 41 |
A ton of hot-mix asphalt covers about 55 sq ft at 3 inches of compacted thickness. Go thinner and a ton stretches further; go thicker and it covers less. The two columns above are reciprocals of each other, so pick whichever matches how your supplier quotes the job.
How thick should a driveway be?
A residential driveway typically gets 2 to 3 inches of hot-mix asphalt over 4 to 8 inches of compacted aggregate base. The base carries the load and drains water away from the asphalt layer, so skimping on it shortens the driveway's life more than skimping on the asphalt does.
New construction often lays asphalt in two lifts: a binder course for structure, then a thinner surface course on top. Splitting the pour this way compacts more evenly than one thick lift. This calculator's thickness input is the total finished depth, so add both lifts together before entering it. The aggregate base is a separate material priced separately; if you need its volume and weight, use the gravel calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 2 inches of compacted thickness, a ton of hot-mix asphalt covers about 83 square feet. At 3 inches, that drops to about 55 square feet, and at 4 inches, about 41 square feet. Coverage falls as thickness rises because the same ton fills a smaller footprint.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
A residential driveway typically gets 2 to 3 inches of hot-mix asphalt over 4 to 8 inches of compacted aggregate base. New construction often lays two lifts, a binder course followed by a surface course, to reach that total. Driveways carrying heavier vehicles or regular truck traffic go thicker.
What is the difference between hot mix and cold patch asphalt?
Hot-mix asphalt is heated during production and installation, bonds tightly as it cools, and is what paving contractors use for driveways and roads. Cold patch comes premixed in bags, is applied without heat, and is meant for small pothole repairs, not full driveways. Cold patch never reaches the density or durability of a properly compacted hot-mix layer.
Does the gravel base count toward the asphalt tonnage?
No. This calculator's tonnage covers only the asphalt layer. The compacted aggregate base underneath is a separate material, usually crushed stone, and is priced and ordered separately. Use a gravel calculator for that layer's volume and weight.
Why 145 pounds per cubic foot for asphalt density?
145 lb per cubic foot is a standard figure for compacted hot-mix asphalt, equal to about 3,915 lb per cubic yard. Actual density varies by mix design and compaction, typically from 140 to 150 lb per cubic foot, so treat the result as an estimate and confirm quantities with your paving supplier before ordering.