🚧 If you’re paving a driveway, parking lot, or road, knowing how much asphalt you need is essential for budgeting and planning. Ordering too little means delays. Ordering too much means wasted money. That’s why we’ve created this simple asphalt calculator to help you estimate your project needs with ease.
Table of Contents
🛣️ What Is Asphalt and Why Calculate It?
Asphalt, also known as blacktop, is a mixture of aggregates, binder (bitumen), and filler. It’s commonly used for roads, driveways, and paths due to its durability and weather resistance.
When planning a paving project, you’ll need to know how many tons or cubic yards of asphalt to order. The amount depends on three main factors:
- The length and width of the area
- The thickness (depth) of the asphalt layer
- The density of asphalt (usually around 145 lb/ft³ or 2.32 g/cm³)
Use the calculator below to instantly estimate how much asphalt you need:
📚 Asphalt Volume & Weight Formula
Here’s how to calculate the volume of asphalt in cubic feet:
Volume (ft³) = Length (ft) × Width (ft) × Thickness (in) ÷ 12
Then convert volume to tons:
Tons = Volume (ft³) × Asphalt Density ÷ 2000
We use 145 lb/ft³ as the standard asphalt density.
📊 Example Calculation
Let’s say you want to pave a driveway that is:
- 20 feet long
- 10 feet wide
- 3 inches thick
Step 1: Volume = 20 × 10 × 3 ÷ 12 = 50 ft³
Step 2: Tons = 50 × 145 ÷ 2000 = 3.625 tons
You’ll need approximately 3.63 tons of asphalt.
📝 Final Tips for Ordering Asphalt
- Add 5–10% extra to account for compaction and spillage.
- Verify density with your local supplier.
- Measure the area in feet and thickness in inches for best accuracy.
Ready to pave your way to a smoother surface? Use the calculator above and start planning with confidence!