Asphalt Calculator
Calculate how many tons of asphalt you need. A 40 x 12 ft driveway paved 2 inches thick needs about 6.38 tons.
How to calculate asphalt tonnage
Multiply length x width x thickness (in feet) to get cubic feet, add an allowance for compaction, then multiply by the density and divide by 2,000 lb per ton. Hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, or roughly 110 pounds per square yard per inch of thickness.
A 40 x 12 ft driveway at 2 inches thick with 10% extra needs 6.38 tons, or 3.26 cubic yards. At $110 per ton the material alone costs $701.80.
Recommended thickness
- Residential driveway: 2 to 3 inches over a compacted base
- Parking lots and light truck traffic: 3 to 4 inches
- Heavy truck traffic: 4 inches or more, in layers
The price per ton covers material only. Delivered and installed asphalt often costs $3 to $7 per square foot once base, labor and rolling are included.
Free pricing tips for your business
Get short, practical tips on pricing jobs and using our free calculators. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt do I need for a driveway?
A 10 x 40 ft driveway at 2 inches needs about 4.8 tons before waste. Use the calculator for your exact size.
How much does a ton of asphalt cover?
One ton covers about 80 square feet at 2 inches thick.
What thickness of asphalt should a driveway be?
Two to three inches over a well compacted gravel base is standard for cars.
Why add extra for compaction?
Loose hot mix compresses when rolled, so ordering 5 to 10% extra avoids coming up short.
Need a custom calculator or spreadsheet built for your business?
Talk to usMore free tools: All free calculators · Gravel calculator · Cubic yard calculator · Square feet calculator