How to calculate asphalt tonnage
Asphalt is sold by the ton, but you measure your driveway in feet and inches. To convert, work out the volume, then multiply by how much asphalt weighs.
145 lb per cubic foot is the typical weight of compacted hot mix asphalt. Some mixes run from 140 to 150 lb, so if your paving contractor or plant gives a different figure, enter it in the density box above.
Worked example
A driveway 20 ft long and 10 ft wide, paved 3 in thick:
- Area: 20 × 10 = 200 sq ft
- Volume: 200 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 cubic feet
- Weight: 50 × 145 = 7,250 lb
- Tons: 7,250 ÷ 2,000 = 3.63 tons, or about 3.8 tons with 5% extra
Asphalt per square foot
Each inch of compacted asphalt weighs about 12 lb per square foot. That gives these quick rules of thumb:
| Thickness | Tons per 100 sq ft | Tons per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 0.60 | 6.0 |
| 2 in | 1.21 | 12.1 |
| 3 in | 1.81 | 18.1 |
| 4 in | 2.42 | 24.2 |
How thick should asphalt be?
| Project | Typical compacted thickness |
|---|---|
| Walking path or patio | 2 in |
| Residential driveway, cars only | 2–3 in over a 4–8 in compacted gravel base |
| Driveway with RVs, trucks or heavy delivery vehicles | 3–4 in, often in two layers |
| Overlay on existing sound asphalt | 1.5–2 in |
The gravel base matters as much as the asphalt. A thin layer over soft, poorly drained soil will crack within a few seasons. Use the gravel calculator to size the base.
Tips before you order
- Measure thickness after compaction. Loose asphalt compacts by roughly 20–25%, which the paving crew accounts for when they lay it.
- Plants usually have a minimum load. For small patches, cold patch in bags may be cheaper than a delivery.
- Hot mix must be laid and rolled while hot, so order only what your crew can place in one session.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a 2-car driveway?
A typical 2-car driveway of 20 × 24 ft (480 sq ft) at 3 in thick needs about 8.7 tons of asphalt, or roughly 9.1 tons with 5% extra.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, which is about 3,915 lb or just under 2 tons per cubic yard.
How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 2 in thick, one ton covers about 83 sq ft. At 3 in it covers about 55 sq ft, and at 4 in about 41 sq ft.
Should I add extra asphalt for waste?
Yes. Add about 5% to cover uneven base, edges and material left in the truck. Increase it if your base is uneven or the shape has many curves.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14. Material weights are typical industry averages and vary by supplier, moisture and compaction.