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.
- 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
Frequently Asked Questions
How thick should a residential asphalt driveway be?
A residential driveway should have 2-3 inches of asphalt over a compacted gravel base of 6-8 inches. For heavy traffic areas, 3-4 inches of asphalt is recommended.
How much does asphalt weigh per cubic foot?
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) weighs approximately 145 pounds per cubic foot. This translates to about 3,915 pounds (roughly 2 tons) per cubic yard.
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
One ton of asphalt covers approximately 80 square feet at 2 inches thick, or about 160 square feet at 1 inch thick.
Ready to run the numbers?
Open Asphalt Calculator