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Asphalt Tonnage Calculator

Area and thickness to tons, plus coverage per ton.

Also known as asphalt quantity · tarmac tonnage · asphalt weight

Quick answer

With the default inputs: Length 40 ft · Width 12 ft · Compacted thickness 2 in etc.Asphalt required 6.1 ton

Use your own dimensions ↓

Inputs

ft
ft
in
%

Result

Asphalt required
6.1ton
Paved area480ft²
Compacted volume80.0ft³
Density145lb/ft³
Net tons5.8ton
Tons with waste6.1ton
Coverage per ton83ft²
Truckloads at 22 tons1loads
Square yards53yd²
How this is worked out

Tons = area x compacted thickness in feet x compacted density ÷ 2000. The key is using the compacted density: dense-graded HMA sits around 145 lb/ft³, which is where the familiar "one ton covers 80 square feet at 2 inches" comes from - the maths gives 83. Thickness is compacted, not loose: the paver lays 20-25% thicker than design, but the plant bills by the ton, so getting the tonnage right is all that matters. A residential drive is typically 2 in of surface over 4-6 in of compacted base; go to 3 in where trucks run.

Next up: Backfill Volume Calculator · Earthwork Calculator

Formula

Tons = area(ft²) × thickness(in)/12 × density ÷ 2000use compacted density
Coverage per ton = 2000 ÷ (density × thickness/12)about 83 ft² at 2 in dense-graded
Square yards = area ÷ 9the unit contractors quote in
A 40 ft x 12 ft driveway at 2 in of dense-graded with 5% waste: 480 ft², 80 ft³ compacted, 5.8 net tons, 6.1 tons with waste, 83 ft² per ton - well under one 22 ton load. At this size you will usually be billed a minimum quantity, so ask about a small-load charge.

How to work it out

  1. Measure the paved area (length x width in feet) and break irregular shapes into rectangles.
  2. Fix the compacted thickness: 2 in for a driveway surface, 3 in where trucks run.
  3. Pick the density: dense-graded HMA 145 lb/ft³, open-graded 140, recycled RAP 138.
  4. Tons = area x thickness/12 x density ÷ 2000, then add 5% waste.
  5. Sanity-check with coverage per ton: 83 ft² at 2 in dense-graded, which matches the 80 ft² per ton quoted on site.

Where it goes wrong

Material and cost

Hot mix asphalt supplied, laid and rolled runs about USD 100-160 per ton, or 3-6 per ft² at 2 in thick. Quantities under a full load carry a minimum charge, commonly 300-800. Base gravel is separate at 40-80 per yard. A full driveway rebuild including excavation, base and surface usually lands at 8-15 per ft².

On site

Basis

FAQ

How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
At 145 lb/ft³ for dense-graded HMA: about 165 ft² at 1 in, 83 ft² at 2 in and 55 ft² at 3 in. That is where the familiar 80 ft² per ton figure comes from - it is the 2 in case. Open-graded is lighter and covers 3-5% more, recycled a little more again. Under-compaction eats into real coverage, so do not order to the exact theoretical figure.
How thick should the base be?
With 2 in of surface, compacted base runs 4-6 in; for RVs or trucks go 6-8 in. The base matters more than the surface - nine out of ten surface cracks come from base settlement, not from the asphalt. Compact it in lifts of 4 in or less and build a 2% crossfall for drainage.
When can it be driven on?
Foot traffic once the surface drops below about 120°F and boots leave no mark, usually 30-60 minutes. Vehicles after 2-4 hours. Full curing takes weeks, and during that time avoid turning the wheel on the spot or parking heavy vehicles for long periods, which leaves ruts.

Cite this page

Use this format in reports, method statements or coursework. The link is permanent.

Building Calculator. Asphalt Tonnage Calculator. 2026-10-25. https://jianzhujisuan.com/en/asphalt-tonnage

Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.