Asphalt Calculator
Enter your driveway or patch and the finished thickness to see how many tons of asphalt to order.
Typical depths for asphalt
| Job | Typical depth |
|---|---|
| Residential driveway | 2–3 in compacted, over a compacted gravel base |
| Heavier traffic or parking areas | 3–4 in, often laid in two layers |
| Patching a pothole | match the existing pavement, compacted in layers |
Typical ranges, not specifications. Follow your project's plans or local requirements where they apply.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt cover?
One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet. Spread it 1 inch deep and it covers 324 square feet. Every extra inch of depth cuts the coverage proportionally. A cubic yard of asphalt weighs about 1.96 tons.
| Depth | 1 cubic yard covers |
|---|---|
| 1 in | 324 sq ft |
| 2 in | 162 sq ft |
| 3 in | 108 sq ft |
| 4 in | 81 sq ft |
| 6 in | 54 sq ft |
How the asphalt calculator works
Area = length × width (circle: π × radius²; triangle: base × height ÷ 2)
Cubic feet = area × (depth in inches ÷ 12)
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27
Tons = cubic yards × weight per cubic yard ÷ 2,000
Worked example: a 12 × 40 ft driveway, 3 in thick
Area: 12 × 40 = 480 sq ft. Volume: 480 × (3 ÷ 12) = 120 cubic feet. Cubic yards: 120 ÷ 27 = 4.44 cubic yards, which weighs about 8.7 tons at 3,915 lb per cubic yard.
Adding 10% for settling brings it to 4.89 cubic yards, about 9.57 tons. Asphalt is usually sold by the ton.
Tips before you order
- Asphalt plants sell by the ton, so the weight is the number to give them.
- Enter the thickness after rolling. Loose asphalt from the truck sits higher until it's compacted.
- The gravel base underneath matters as much as the asphalt on top. Work it out with the gravel calculator.
Questions people ask
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
About 1.96 tons (3,915 lb) is a typical figure. Most asphalt weighs 3,780–4,050 lb per cubic yard, depending on the material and how wet it is. Your supplier can tell you the weight of theirs.
How many square feet does a yard of asphalt cover?
One cubic yard covers 162 sq ft at 2 inches deep, 108 sq ft at 3 inches and 81 sq ft at 4 inches. The rule: 324 ÷ depth in inches.
How do I convert cubic yards of asphalt to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by the weight per cubic yard and divide by 2,000. At 3,915 lb per yard, that's cubic yards × 1.96.
How much asphalt do I need for a 12 × 40 ft driveway, 3 in thick?
About 4.44 cubic yards (about 8.7 tons), or 4.89 cubic yards with 10% extra for settling.