Asphalt Calculator — cubic yards and tons

How it works

Asphalt is ordered by weight, but you size the job by volume. Find the volume of the mat, then convert to tons with the mix density:

cubic yards = (length × width × depth/12) ÷ 27

Length and width are in feet and depth is entered in inches, so dividing depth by 12 puts it in feet. Multiplying gives cubic feet, and dividing by 27 converts to cubic yards — one cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet, since a yard is 3 feet and 3³ = 27.

tons = cubic yards × density

Compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs roughly 2 tons per cubic yard, but this varies with the mix, so density is an input. A typical residential mat is 2 to 3 inches deep after compaction; driveways lean toward 3 inches and heavier lots toward 4.

Worked example

A 40 × 20 ft driveway paved 3 inches deep is (40 × 20 × 0.25) ÷ 27 = 7.41 cubic yards. At 2 tons per cubic yard that is about 14.8 tons. A 100 × 50 ft lot at 4 inches works out to 61.7 cubic yards, near 123 tons.

Frequently asked questions

How much asphalt do I need for a driveway?

Multiply length × width × depth in feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards: cubic yards = (length × width × depth/12) ÷ 27 with depth in inches. A 40 × 20 ft driveway at 3 inches is 7.4 cubic yards, about 14.8 tons at 2 tons per cubic yard.

How many tons of asphalt are in a cubic yard?

About 2 tons for compacted hot-mix asphalt, though it ranges roughly 1.9 to 2.1 tons depending on the mix and aggregate. Because it varies, density is an input here — check your supplier's figure for the exact mix.

How thick should an asphalt driveway be?

A residential driveway is commonly 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt over a compacted gravel base; 3 inches is a common choice. Parking lots and areas with heavier traffic often use 4 inches or more. Enter the compacted depth you plan to place.

Why enter depth in inches but length and width in feet?

Because that is how the job is usually described — a lot measured in feet, laid a few inches deep. The formula divides the inch depth by 12 to convert it to feet before finding the volume, so all three dimensions are in feet when multiplied.

Does the estimate account for compaction?

Enter the depth you want after compaction, since that is the finished mat. Hot-mix asphalt compacts noticeably as it is rolled, so loose material is placed thicker than the target. Suppliers account for this when they quote tonnage.

How much area does a ton of asphalt cover?

At 2 tons per cubic yard and 3 inches deep, one cubic yard covers 36 ÷ 3 = 12 square yards (108 ft²), so a ton covers about 54 ft². Coverage rises as the depth drops — the same ton spread 2 inches deep covers more area — which is why this tool sizes the job by volume first, then converts to tons.