Asphalt Calculator
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Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made in building our calculator tools, we are not to be held liable for any damages or monetary losses arising out of or in connection with their use. Full disclaimer.
If you need help with estimating how much asphalt you need for your project – whether it's a driveway, car park, or road – we've got you covered with our asphalt calculator. Giving results in either US tons or metric tonnes (1 US ton = 2,000 lb; 1 metric tonne = 1,000 kg), our calculator serves your needs whatever side of the world you're on.
How much asphalt do I need?
Hot mix asphalt is generally sold by weight – either in US tons or metric tonnes, depending on your location. The amount of coverage you get largely depends on the mix and how tightly it's compacted once it's laid.
To give a rough guide, in the United States, one ton will typically cover around 80 square feet at 2 inches thick, or about 40 square feet at 4 inches. If you're in the UK, a metric tonne usually covers around 14 to 18 square metres at a thickness of 25mm. 12
When it comes to the density of asphalt, most mixes fall between 142 and 148 pounds per cubic foot, with 145 being the usual average.
Assuming you want to calculate a manual estimate for how much asphalt you’ll need, here's how to do it:
- Measure the length and width of your area
- Multiply the area by your thickness (using the same unit) to get the volume of your project in cu. ft or cu. m.
- Multiply by the density of asphalt to get the total weight.
- Convert to tons or tonnes for ordering.
🇺🇸 US (Imperial) Example
🇬🇧 UK (Metric) Example
Note: Calculations are based on an asphalt density of 145 lb/ft³ (2,320 kg/m³). You may wish to add 5–10% extra to account for compaction and waste.
Asphalt coverage
We've produced some calculation tables below to show you possible approximate coverage for 1 US ton and 1 metric tonne of hot mix asphalt.
🇺🇸 Asphalt coverage per US Ton
| Thickness (inches) | Approx. Coverage (sq ft) |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 160 sq ft |
| 2 inches | 80 sq ft |
| 3 inches | 54 sq ft |
| 4 inches | 40 sq ft |
🇬🇧 Asphalt coverage per metric tonne
| Thickness (mm) | Approx. Coverage (m²) |
|---|---|
| 25 mm | 14–18 m² |
| 50 mm | 7–9 m² |
| 75 mm | 5–6 m² |
| 100 mm | 3.5–4.5 m² |
Note: calculations are based on an asphalt density of 145 lb/ft³ (2,320 kg/m³). Coverage may vary based on mix type, compaction, and surface conditions.
Asphalt material types
We've included the following options in our calculator:
- Hot Mix Asphalt – 145 lb/ft³
An industry average density cited by the National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) and other sources. - Cold Lay / Cold Patch – 105 lb/ft³
Cold patch asphalt is less dense and designed for temporary pothole repair or light traffic use. It can be applied without heating. - Recycled Asphalt (RAP) – 135 lb/ft³
Reclaimed from old pavement, RAP is denser than cold patch and often used in base layers or resurfacing.
Cost estimation
You can estimate the cost of your asphalt by multiplying your total weight (from above) by the price per ton/tonne. Do bear in mind that prices vary by region and mix type.
When making your calculation, don’t forget to factor in compaction, waste, and delivery. We discuss that in more detail below.
How to use our asphalt calculator
Our calculator has been designed to be as simple as possible, whilst ensuring a high level of functionality to cater for most needs. Here's how to use it to check your calculations:
- Select your choice of unit
- Enter the length and width or total area
- Enter the thickness of asphalt required
- Choose an asphalt type and enter a price if required
- Click 'Calculate' to view your results.
Adding 5–10% for compaction and waste
When asphalt gets laid, it starts out loose before rollers compress it down to a finished surface. That compaction process squeezes out air and settles the material, which usually shrinks the volume by around 8–12%. So even if the layer looks thick going on, the final layer ends up thinner once it’s all pressed in – that’s what’s known as compaction loss.
You’ll also lose a bit during the job itself – between handling, edge trimming, and clean-up, there’s always a little waste along the way. While it depends on the site and crew, it’s smart to plan ahead by ordering an extra 5–10% to avoid coming up short.
Adding a buffer helps make sure you’ve got enough to finish without delays or those dreaded last-minute top-ups. It’s especially handy for jobs where the specs are tight or the shape is tricky. Scroll back to calculator results.
Calculator created by Alastair HazellReferences
If you have any problems using our calculator tool, please contact us.