Asphalt Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the asphalt calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Paving Area
area = length * widthVolume (Cubic Feet)
cubic_feet = volume_cuftAsphalt Needed
tons = volume_cuft * 145 / 2000Variables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
length | Length(feet) | 40 |
width | Width(feet) | 12 |
thickness | Thickness(inches) | 2 |
thickness_ft | Derived value= thickness / 12 | calculated |
volume_cuft | Derived value= length * width * thickness_ft | calculated |
How It Works
How to Calculate Asphalt Tonnage
Formula
Volume (cu ft) = Length × Width × Thickness (in feet)
Weight (lbs) = Volume (cu ft) × 145 lbs/cu ft
Tons = Weight / 2,000
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) weighs approximately 145 pounds per cubic foot, or about 2 tons per cubic yard. One ton of asphalt covers approximately 80 sq ft at 2 inches thick.
Worked Example
A driveway 40 ft long and 12 ft wide with 2 inches of asphalt.
length = 40width = 12thickness = 2
- 01Thickness in feet: 2 / 12 = 0.167 ft
- 02Area = 40 × 12 = 480 sq ft
- 03Volume = 40 × 12 × 0.167 = 80 cu ft
- 04Weight = 80 × 145 = 11,600 lbs
- 05Tons = 11,600 / 2,000 = 5.80 tons
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Asphalt Calculator