Asphalt Calculator
Estimate the tonnage and cost of hot-mix asphalt for a paving job.
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Total Tons
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Estimated Cost
Ordering hot-mix asphalt means thinking in tons, not square feet, and that's exactly the conversion this calculator handles. Enter the length and width of the area you're paving, the compacted thickness you want to lay, and a price per ton, and it returns the tonnage to order and the estimated material cost. It's built for driveways, parking pads, and patch jobs, and it runs entirely in your browser.
How the tonnage is worked out
Asphalt is sold by weight, so the calculator converts your dimensions into a volume and then into tons using the material's density. It treats compacted hot-mix as roughly 145 pounds per cubic foot, a standard figure for dense-graded paving mix:
Cubic feet = Length × Width × (Thickness ÷ 12) • Tons = (Cubic feet × 145) ÷ 2000
Length and width are in feet and thickness is in inches, which is why it's divided by twelve to bring it into feet. Multiplying by 145 gives the weight in pounds, and dividing by 2000 converts to US short tons. The cost is simply the tonnage multiplied by your price per ton, so you can paste in a supplier's quote and see the total instantly.
Reading the estimate sensibly
A worked example makes it concrete: a 40 ft by 20 ft driveway laid 3 inches thick works out to 200 cubic feet, about 14.5 tons. Two things are worth keeping in mind. First, the 145 lb/ft³ density is a typical value — your supplier's specific mix may run a little lighter or heavier, so ask if you want to be exact. Second, this figure is the theoretical amount needed; most crews order a small margin on top for compaction, edges, and waste. Treat the result as a solid planning number for getting quotes, and confirm the final order with your paving contractor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What thickness should I use?
Residential driveways are commonly laid 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over a prepared base; areas taking heavier vehicles use more. Enter the compacted thickness you plan to finish with, since that is what determines the volume.
Why does it ask for price per ton?
Because asphalt is sold by weight. Once the calculator knows the tonnage, multiplying by the price per ton from your supplier gives the material cost. It does not include delivery, labour, or base preparation.
Should I order extra?
Usually a little. The result is the exact volume needed, but paving crews typically add a margin for compaction and waste. Ask your contractor how much extra they recommend for your specific job.
Is anything I enter saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing you type is uploaded or stored.