Do you want to pave a driveway? Do you need to fix a parking lot? Do you want to build a new road? You need to know how much asphalt to buy. Our free Asphalt Calculator makes this easy. It helps you save money and time.

What Is an Asphalt Calculator?

An Asphalt Calculator is a free web tool. It helps you find out how much asphalt you need. You can use it for any paving job. It tells you:

• How much asphalt you need
• How much it will weigh
• How much it will cost

You just type in your size data. Then you get fast results. No math needed!

Why You Should Use Our Asphalt Calculator

Our calculator helps you a lot:

• Save Money: Buy just what you need
• Plan Better: Know what you need first
• Cut Waste: Order the right amount
• Know Costs: See how much you will pay
• Feel Sure: Be sure you planned right

How to Use the Asphalt Calculator

Using our calculator is easy! Just do these steps:

Step 1: Pick Your Units

First, pick your unit type. You can use Imperial units like feet and inches. Or you can use Metric units like meters. Pick what you know best.

Step 2: Type Your Size Data

Type in these three key sizes:

• Length: How long is your drive or road?
• Width: How wide is the area you want to pave?
• Thickness: How deep will the asphalt be? For drives, 2-3 inches works well.

Pick the right units for each size from the drop down lists.

Step 3: Add Price Data (If You Want)

If you want to know costs, type in the price of asphalt per ton in your area. This step is not required. But it helps you plan your budget.

Step 4: Click “Calculate”

Hit the “Calculate” button. The tool will show you right away:

• How much asphalt you need
• The weight of the asphalt
• The cost guess (if you typed in a price)

That’s it! The results are clear and easy to read.

How We Do the Math

Knowing how our calculator works helps you trust the results. Here’s what happens:

Finding Asphalt Volume

The basic math is simple:

Volume = Length × Width × Thickness

Say you have a drive that’s 40 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 3 inches (0.25 feet) deep or thick:

Volume = 40 ft × 12 ft × 0.25 ft = 120 cubic feet

We change this to cubic yards or cubic meters if you need it.

Finding Asphalt Weight

To find the weight, we use the standard weight of Hot Mix Asphalt:

Weight = Volume × Weight per cubic foot

Standard Hot Mix Asphalt weighs about 145 pounds per cubic foot.strong>

So for our case:

Weight = 120 cubic feet × 145 pounds per cubic foot = 17,400 pounds

Since 2,000 pounds = 1 ton (in the US):

Weight in tons = 17,400 pounds ÷ 2,000 pounds per ton = 8.7 tons

Finding Asphalt Cost

If you typed in a price per ton:

Total Cost = Weight (in tons) × Price per ton

If asphalt costs $100 per ton in your area:

Total Cost = 8.7 tons × $100 per ton = $870

What Is Asphalt?

Asphalt is a dark, sticky stuff. It’s great for road tops. It’s made from oil mixed with sand, rocks, or crushed stone.

Why Is Asphalt So Good?

Asphalt has many good points. That’s why 94% of US roads use it:

• Lasts Long: Can last 20+ years if you take care of it
• Handles Weather: Works in rain, snow, and heat
• Quick to Install: Roads can be used soon after paving
• Smooth: Makes for nice driving
• Quiet: Makes less noise than concrete roads
• Can Be Reused: Old asphalt can be used again
• Costs Less: Usually cheaper than concrete

Asphalt Uses

Asphalt isn’t just for roads! Here are ways people use it:

Home Uses

• Driveways
• Walkways
• Basketball courts
• Bike paths

Business Uses

• Parking lots
• Access roads
• Loading areas

Public Uses

• Highways and roads
• Airport runways
• School play areas
• Tennis courts
• Running tracks

Other Uses

• Roof materials
• Water proofing
• Canal linings

Types of Asphalt

Not all asphalt is the same! Different jobs need different types:

Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)

This is the most common type. It’s heated to 300-350°F when mixed and laid.

• Best for: Highways, busy streets, driveways
• Good points: Very strong, handles heavy traffic well
• Bad points: Must be used in warm weather, cools fast

Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA)

Like Hot Mix but made at lower heat (200-275°F).

• Best for: Jobs in cooler weather, night paving
• Good points: Uses less energy, lower fumes, works longer
• Bad points: A bit less strong than Hot Mix

Cold Mix Asphalt

Mixed and used at room heat.

• Best for: Patching, quick fixes
• Good points: Works in cold weather, easy to use
• Bad points: Not as strong or long lasting as hot mix

Porous Asphalt

Has larger stones with fewer fine bits.

• Best for: Areas that need water drainage
• Good points: Lets water drain through, cuts runoff and puddles
• Bad points: Costs more, needs special care

Driveway Mix

Made just for home use.

• Best for: Home driveways, light traffic areas
• Good points: Costs less, looks good
• Bad points: Not good for heavy loads

Our Asphalt Calculator App uses the weight of standard Hot Mix Asphalt, which is about 145 pounds per cubic foot. This is the most used type.

Complete Asphalt Types Comparison Table

Ton vs. Tonne: What’s the Gap?

When you order asphalt, make sure you know which weight system is used:

US Ton (Short Ton)

• Used mainly in the United States
• Equals 2,000 pounds
• Written as “ton” in the US

Metric Tonne

• Used in most countries outside the US
• Equals 1,000 kilograms (about 2,204.6 pounds)
• Often written as “tonne” to tell it apart from US tons

The gap is about 10%. This can change a lot how much material you order. Our calculator lets you pick which system you want to use.

Tips for Planning Your Asphalt Job

For the best results with your paving job:

Measure Right

Take many measures and check them twice. Small measure errors can make big gaps in how much asphalt you need.

Add Extra Material

It’s smart to order 5-10% more asphalt than your exact math. This accounts for:

• Spills and waste during install
• Pressing down (asphalt gets smaller when rolled)
• Uneven ground that might need extra fill
• Edges that use more material

Think About Thickness Well

Different uses need different asphalt thickness:

• Home driveways: 2-3 inches
• Business parking lots: 3-4 inches
• Roads with light traffic: 3-4 inches
• Roads with heavy traffic: 4-6 inches

Plan for Base Materials

Remember that asphalt needs a good base:

• 4-8 inches of crushed stone or gravel
• Good drainage to stop water damage
• Good pressing before asphalt goes on

Common Questions About Asphalt Math

How much does asphalt cost?

Asphalt prices change by location. They range from $85-$150 per ton. A typical home driveway (600 square feet, 3 inches thick) might cost $1,000-$2,000 for materials alone.

How much area does one ton of asphalt cover?

At 3 inches thick, one ton of asphalt covers about 80-100 square feet. This changes a bit based on the exact mix and pressing.

How much asphalt do I need for a standard driveway?

For a typical two-car driveway (20 feet wide by 20 feet long with 3-inch thickness/depth), you’ll need about 3-4 tons of asphalt.

Is it cheaper to use asphalt or concrete?

Asphalt costs 30-40% less than concrete at first. But asphalt may need more care over time. For most home jobs, asphalt gives better value.

How do I figure asphalt for an odd shape?

Break your area into simple shapes like squares and triangles. Figure each part alone. Then add them together. For very complex shapes, think about asking a pro.

When to Hire a Pro

While our calculator helps you guess materials, paving is skilled work. Think about hiring pros if:

• You have no experience with asphalt work
• Your job is large (more than a small repair)
• The area has drainage issues or needs big prep work
• You don’t have the right equipment (rollers, pressers)

Pro pavers can:

• Make sure prep and drainage are right
• Create the right slopes for water runoff
• Get a smooth, even finish
• Press the asphalt right for max life
• Complete the job fast and well

Taking Care of Your Asphalt Surface

To get the most life from your asphalt:

• Seal it: Put on sealer every 3-5 years
• Fill cracks: Fix small cracks before they grow
• Clean often: Remove oil spills and debris
• Avoid sharp objects: Keep sharp metal and pointed objects away
• Spread weight: Use plywood under heavy equipment or jack stands

Final Words

Our Asphalt Calculator makes planning your paving job easy and right. By knowing how much material you need, you’ll save money, cut waste, and make sure your job has the right amount of asphalt from start to finish.

Are you fixing a small driveway or planning a bigger business job? Good math is the first step to success. With our calculator and the info in this guide, you’re well ready to move forward with confidence.

Ready to start your job? Use our free Asphalt Calculator now. Take the guesswork out of your paving plans!