Asphalt Calculator
Enter your length, width, and depth to get the cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons of asphalt you need for a driveway or paved area.
What your result means
Order asphalt by the ton, since that's how suppliers price it. The cubic feet and cubic yards are there for reference and for figuring base material. Whatever the tonnage reads, bump it up 5 to 10% on your order to cover what the roller compacts out.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the length and width of your driveway or paved area in feet.
- Decide on depth. Residential driveways typically use 2 inches; commercial uses 3 inches.
- Enter all three values above.
- Results show cubic feet, cubic yards, and tons of asphalt needed.
- Order tons since asphalt suppliers price by weight.
The formula
Multiply length by width by depth (in feet) to get cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. For tons, multiply cubic feet by 145 pounds per cubic foot (the density of compacted hot-mix asphalt) and divide by 2,000.
Worked example
Say you're paving a 20 by 10 ft driveway at 3 inches deep. Enter 20, 10, and 3. You'll get 50 cubic feet, 1.85 cubic yards, and 3.63 tons. Order 3.75 to 4 tons so you're covered for compaction and a little over-fill at the edges.
Asphalt tonnage by driveway size (at 3 in depth)
| Area | Depth | Approx. tons |
|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft (1-car) | 2 in | 2.4 |
| 400 sq ft (2-car) | 3 in | 7.3 |
| 500 sq ft (long drive) | 3 in | 9.1 |
| 800 sq ft | 3 in | 14.5 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 in | 18.1 |
Tips & gotchas
- Add 5 to 10% for compaction. Hot-mix squeezes down about 8% under the roller.
- The density used here is 145 lbs per cubic foot, standard for compacted hot-mix asphalt.
- Cold patch is lighter and less dense, so save it for small repairs, not a full driveway.
- Get your quote per ton, not per square foot. Material ran roughly $80 to $150 per ton in 2024-2025.
- Lay it on a dry day above 50 degrees F or it won't bond and compact right.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a 1,000 sq ft driveway?
At 3 inches deep, around 18 tons. Run your exact dimensions through the calculator for a tighter number.
What thickness should my driveway be?
2 inches for cars, 3 inches for trucks or commercial traffic, always over a properly prepared base.
How much does asphalt cost?
Hot-mix material averaged about $100 to $130 per ton in 2024-2025. Installation labor adds roughly $2 to $5 per square foot on top.
Can I install asphalt myself?
Not really. Hot-mix has to stay above 250 degrees F while you place it, which takes pro equipment. DIY isn't practical for a full driveway.
What is the difference between asphalt and blacktop?
None. Blacktop is just the everyday name for asphalt pavement.
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