How much asphalt do I need?
Enter the length, width and thickness of the area and you'll get the weight in tons (or tonnes) to order, plus the volume in cubic yards and cubic metres — instantly.
Order about 1.27 tons to allow ~5% for spillage, edges and trimming.
Volume = length × width × thickness; weight = volume × compacted density. Mix unit weight varies with aggregate, binder and compaction — confirm the per-ton figure with your asphalt plant.
Common questions
- How much asphalt do I need?
- Multiply length × width × thickness to get the volume, then multiply by the asphalt's compacted density for the weight. A 10 ft × 10 ft pad at 2 inches thick is about 0.62 cubic yards — roughly 1.2 US tons of hot-mix asphalt. Order about 5% extra for spillage and edges.
- How many tons of asphalt are in a cubic yard?
- At a typical compacted density of about 145 lb/ft³ (≈ 2,323 kg/m³), one cubic yard of hot-mix asphalt weighs roughly 1.96 US tons (about 1.78 tonnes). Different mixes and compaction shift this, so confirm the unit weight with your asphalt plant.
- How much area does a ton of asphalt cover?
- Using the typical 145 lb/ft³ density, one US ton of compacted asphalt covers roughly 80 square feet at 2 inches thick, or about 55 square feet at 3 inches. Halve the thickness and you roughly double the coverage — the calculator does the exact math for your dimensions.
- How thick should an asphalt driveway be?
- As general guidance, a residential asphalt driveway is commonly laid about 2–3 inches (50–75 mm) of compacted asphalt over a compacted granular base, while areas carrying heavier vehicles are built thicker. The right thickness depends on the sub-base, traffic and local requirements — treat these as planning figures, not a rule.
- Does this work as an asphalt tonnage or hot-mix calculator?
- Yes. Asphalt is ordered by weight, so the calculator converts your area and thickness straight into tons and tonnes (with cubic yards and cubic metres alongside). Adjust the density field to match your specific hot-mix, binder or recycled mix and the tonnage tracks it.
- Is asphalt the same as tarmac, blacktop or bitumen?
- They overlap. "Asphalt" (hot-mix asphalt) is the common North American term; "tarmac" and "blacktop" are everyday names used elsewhere, and "bitumen" is the binder that holds the aggregate together. The volume and tonnage math is the same — pick the density that matches the mix you are ordering.
Want the full walk-through? Read the asphalt guide →
Reference & education only. Not professional, engineering, or code-compliance advice. Estimates are based on published model codes; local amendments and your Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) govern. Always verify against the current adopted code and a licensed professional before doing work.
Last reviewed 2026-06.