Groundlane

Asphalt Calculator

Estimate asphalt tonnage for driveways, parking areas and paths.

ft
ft
%
$/ton

You need approximately

14.5 tons

Recommended with 5% waste
15.23 tons
Area
800 sq ft
Volume
7.41 cu yd

How we calculate this

Asphalt tonnage = area × thickness (converted to feet) × density, using an industry average of about 145 lbs per cubic foot for compacted hot mix asphalt, then converted to tons (÷ 2,000 lbs).

Example

A 20 ft × 40 ft driveway at 3 in thick needs roughly 7.41 cubic yards of asphalt, or about 14.5 tons before waste.

Measuring tips

Residential driveways typically use 2–3 inches of asphalt over a compacted gravel base; parking areas and roads often use 3–4 inches or more for durability.

Common mistakes

  • Ordering asphalt by cubic yards when suppliers price and deliver by the ton.
  • Skipping a proper gravel base, which is separate from the asphalt layer itself.
  • Underestimating thickness for areas with vehicle or heavy equipment traffic.

Frequently asked questions

How many tons of asphalt do I need per square foot?

At 2 inches thick, roughly 0.06 tons per square foot; more for thicker applications — use the calculator above for your exact dimensions.

What thickness should a driveway be?

2–3 inches is standard for residential driveways; commercial areas typically use 3–4 inches or more.

Related calculators

Estimates are provided for planning purposes. Actual material requirements may vary based on supplier specifications, compaction, site conditions, installation method, waste, and local code.