Asphalt Calculator
Estimate hot-mix asphalt tonnage for a rectangular paving area from width, length, and compacted thickness in feet and inches. Uses the standard 110 lb/(square yard × inch) compacted unit weight and US short tons — ideal for driveways, parking lots, and preliminary quantity checks.
Why 110 lb per square-yard-inch?
Industry associations publish asphalt calculators that assume a compacted pavement unit weight of roughly 110 pounds for each square yard of surface times each inch of thickness. That shortcut bundles aggregate gradation, binder content, and air voids into one practical density figure for quick estimates. Your supplier may quote a different effective density for a specific mix — always reconcile tonnage before you write the purchase order.
What this estimate includes — and what it does not
- Includes: rectangular geometry, US short tons, SY-based industry shortcut density.
- Does not include: triangular wedges, variable-depth patches, or grind-and-overlay feathering — split odd shapes into rectangles.
- Does not include: haul loss, tack coat, or porous/open-graded specialty mixes with different in-place density.
- Does not replace: mix-specific bulk-specific-gravity tests from your lab or asphalt producer.
When thickness assumptions matter
Thickness drives tonnage linearly: doubling the lift doubles the weight if the footprint stays the same. Parking lots and driveways often use thinner lifts than arterial roads. Match your thickness choice to traffic loads, existing base quality, and local climate freeze-thaw expectations before trusting any tonnage figure.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the answer in metric tonnes or US tons?
This tool outputs US short tons (2,000 pounds). One metric tonne is about 1.102 short tons — multiply our result by that factor if you need metric tonnes for international quotes.
Does asphalt thickness mean loose depth before rolling?
Enter the compacted thickness you expect after breakdown and finish rolling, not the loose screed height. Designers usually specify compacted thickness; using the wrong number can skew tonnage by a wide margin.
Can I use this for porous or recycled mixes?
You can ballpark it, but porous asphalt and high-RAP mixes often have different in-place densities than the 110 lb/(SY×in) shortcut. Request your supplier’s target density and rework the pounds step if precision matters.
How accurate is the 110 lb assumption?
It is a planning shortcut used in many association calculators, not a laboratory measurement. Job-specific compaction, binder grade, and aggregate absorption all shift actual pounds per inch. Treat the output as an estimate, then verify with weigh tickets.