Asphalt Calculator
Compute tons of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) needed for a driveway or paving project from length, width, and thickness. Uses the standard 145 lb/ft³ compacted density.
Last updated: September 2026
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About this calculator
Asphalt is priced and delivered by the ton. To convert project geometry to tonnage: volume in cubic feet × density in pounds per cubic foot ÷ 2000 (lb per ton). Standard hot-mix asphalt (HMA) compacts to about 145 lb/ft³; dense-graded (Superpave) can be 145–150, open-graded friction courses closer to 130–140.
Compacted thickness is what matters. Loose asphalt spreads at about 1.25× the compacted thickness — 3 inches compacted needs 3.75 inches of loose material laid before rolling. Residential driveways are typically 3 inches compacted over 6–8 inches of aggregate base. Parking lots go 4 inches over 8–10 inches base. Roads use 4–6 inches over 12+ inches of engineered subgrade.
Add 5–10% for waste (edges, joints, minor over-order). Cold-mix asphalt is different — lower density, used only for patch repairs, priced by 50 lb bag rather than ton.
How to use
Example — 50 ft × 12 ft driveway, 3 in compacted, 145 lb/ft³. Volume = 50 × 12 × (3/12) = 150 ft³. Weight = 150 × 145 = 21 750 lb. Tons = 21 750 / 2000 = 10.9 tons. Order 12 tons to allow for waste and slight over-order. Example — 100 ft × 100 ft parking lot, 4 in thick. Volume = 100 × 100 × (4/12) = 3 333 ft³. Weight = 3 333 × 145 = 483 333 lb. Tons = 241.7. That is roughly 6 truck loads at 40 tons each; schedule the paving crew carefully to keep each load in placement temperature (>250°F).
Frequently asked questions
How much does asphalt cost per ton?
US 2024 prices are $100–150 per ton delivered, varying by region, oil price (asphalt binder is petroleum-derived), and hauling distance from the batch plant. Installation adds $2–5 per square foot. Total driveway cost typically $4–8 per sq ft installed.
What thickness do I need?
Residential driveways: 3 in over 6–8 in of compacted aggregate base. Parking lots and light commercial: 4 in over 8–10 in base. Highways: 4–8 in of surface course over 8–24 in structural layers. Thinner installations crack early under freeze-thaw and load.
Can I compute in metric?
Yes — the same formula applies with SI units. Volume in m³ × density in kg/m³ / 1000 = tonnes. HMA density in SI is about 2 320 kg/m³. So a 15 × 4 m driveway 75 mm thick is 15 × 4 × 0.075 × 2320 / 1000 = 10.4 tonnes, same order of magnitude as the imperial calc.
What is the waste allowance?
Add 5–10% for cutting waste at edges, expansion joint filler, and truck-bed residue that doesn't transfer cleanly. Small projects (under 20 tons) round up to the next full load charge rather than incur a partial-load fee. Confirm the minimum order with your supplier — some plants have a 5-ton minimum.