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Asphalt Calculator: How Much Asphalt Do I Need?
Enter your driveway or patch dimensions and get tons, cubic yards, and estimated weight of hot-mix asphalt — with a waste allowance and every step of the arithmetic shown. The math runs entirely in your browser.
By HowMuchBuild Editorial TeamCalculation reviewedUpdated October 2026
Longest driveway dimension.
Driveway width.
2–3″ is typical for a residential driveway.
5% covers edges and uneven base.
Weight uses a typical compacted hot-mix density of 145 lb per cubic foot — actual density varies by mix design and compaction, so tonnage is an estimate. Order from a local plant or paver and confirm their minimum load.
Estimated cost
What will it cost?
Enter your local store prices — prices vary by region.
Hot-mix asphalt
4 tons
—
Estimate — prices vary by store and region. Check your local store for current pricing.
Asphalt needed (estimate)
4.0
tons (rounded up)
1.85
cubic yards
50.0
cubic feet
7,250 lb
estimated weight
Tons are rounded up to the nearest half ton — suppliers don't sell fractions smaller than that, and running short mid-pave is expensive.
How we calculated it
- Volume = 20 ft × 12 ft × (2.5″ ÷ 12) = 50.0 cu ft
- Cubic yards = 50.0 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cu yd
- Weight ≈ 50.0 cu ft × 145 lb/cu ft (typical) = 7,250 lb
- Tons = 7,250 ÷ 2,000 × (1 + 5% waste) = 3.81 → round UP to 4.0 tons
Estimate, not a quote: tonnage depends on the plant's mix and how well the base is compacted. For anything bigger than a small patch, get the paver or plant to confirm the order — and check local rules on driveway aprons, drainage, and permits before you pave.
Worked example: 20×12 ft driveway, 2.5″ thick, 5% waste
A single-car driveway, 20 feet long and 12 feet wide, paved 2.5 inches thick. Step by step:
- Volume: 20 ft × 12 ft × (2.5″ ÷ 12) = 50.0 cu ft
- Cubic yards: 50.0 ÷ 27 = 1.85 cu yd
- Weight: 50.0 cu ft × 145 lb/cu ft (typical) = 7,250 lb
- Tons: 7,250 ÷ 2,000 × 1.05 (waste) = 3.81 → round up to 4.0 tons
Tons reference (2.5″ thick, 5% waste, rounded up)
Quick estimates for common driveway sizes — measure your own for the real number:
| Driveway size | Cubic yards | Tons (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 20 ft | 1.54 | 3.5 |
| 12 × 24 ft | 2.22 | 5.0 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 3.09 | 6.5 |
| 24 × 24 ft | 4.44 | 9.5 |
The formulas
Volume
Cubic feet = length × width × (thickness ÷ 12) — thickness in inches becomes feet before multiplying. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
Weight and tons
Pounds ≈ cubic feet × 145 — the typical compacted hot-mix density; your plant's mix may differ. Tons = pounds ÷ 2,000 × (1 + waste %), then round up to the nearest half ton.
Tons per cubic yard
≈ 1.96 tons/cu yd — from 27 cu ft × 145 lb ÷ 2,000. Handy for converting a plant quote in yards to the tons you'll actually order.
Frequently asked questions
How many tons of asphalt are in a cubic yard?
About 1.96 tons. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, and compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs roughly 145 lb per cubic foot: 27 × 145 ÷ 2,000 = 1.96 tons. Density varies by mix design, so treat this as a typical figure, not a guarantee.
How thick should a residential asphalt driveway be?
2 to 3 inches of asphalt over 4 to 6 inches of compacted gravel base is typical for a residential driveway. Heavier vehicles (RVs, work trucks) call for a thicker section. The base matters as much as the asphalt — a thin pour over a soft base fails fast.
What is the difference between hot-mix asphalt and cold-patch bags?
Hot-mix is the real driveway material: mixed hot at a plant, delivered by the ton, and compacted while warm — it's what this calculator estimates. Cold-patch bags (typically 50 lb) are a temporary repair product for potholes and small patches, not for paving a driveway.
How much does asphalt weigh per cubic foot?
Compacted hot-mix asphalt typically weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot. This calculator uses that figure to estimate total weight and tonnage. Loose or uncompacted mix weighs less; the plant's specific mix design governs the real number.
Can I pave asphalt over my existing driveway?
Often, yes — a 1.5 to 2-inch overlay over a sound existing driveway is a common, cheaper alternative to full replacement. But if the old pavement is crumbling, heaving, or has drainage problems, an overlay just inherits them. Have a paver look before you decide.
Why does the calculator round up to the nearest half ton?
Plants and pavers sell by the ton, not by the pound — and running short mid-pave means a cold joint or a second delivery fee. Rounding up to the nearest half ton plus a 5% waste allowance keeps small jobs covered.
How much asphalt do I need for a 2-car driveway?
A typical 2-car driveway (about 20×20 ft) at 2.5 inches thick needs roughly 83 cubic feet — about 1.9 cubic yards or 6.5 tons with a 5% waste allowance, rounded up. Enter your exact dimensions above for your number.
What this calculator doesn't cover
Ordering tons is the easy part; a driveway that lasts is mostly base prep, drainage, and compaction. This page doesn't estimate base gravel depth, edge restraints, apron tie-ins, or permits — and it can't see soft spots in your subgrade. For anything beyond a small patch, walk the job with a local paver before you order.
Keep estimating