Standard hot mix asphalt density
An asphalt calculator estimates how much asphalt you need for a paving project. Enter your length, width, and thickness, and it converts those numbers into volume (cubic feet) and weight (tons). These are the units suppliers use to price and deliver material.
The default density is 145 lb/ft³, the standard for hot mix asphalt. That’s the same number most suppliers use when they quote your job.
Standard hot mix asphalt density: 145 lb/ft³
Driveway paving
Parking lot construction
Resurfacing and overlay work
patch repair
Contractor bidding
Asphalt is sold by weight, not area. Get the thickness wrong by even a little, and your tonnage and your bill can be off by 10% or more.
Type in the length and width of your area, plus the asphalt thickness.
The default is 145 lb/ft³, the standard for hot-mix asphalt. You can change this if your supplier gives you a different number.
You’ll get the total volume in cubic feet and the total weight in tons. This is the number to give your supplier.
The formula:
Tons of Asphalt = (Length × Width × Thickness in feet × Density) ÷ 2,000
A driveway that is 40 ft long, 20 ft wide, and 3 inches thick:
Add 5–10% extra for waste. This job needs about 15.2–16 tons.
Want the full formula breakdown? See our Asphalt Tonnage Formula guide.
| Thickness | Tons per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|
| 2 inches | ~1.2 tons |
| 3 inches | ~1.8 tons |
| 4 inches | ~2.4 tons |
Order too much, and you waste money on material you can’t return. Order too little, and the crew has to stop work and wait for a second delivery.
One thing most calculators miss: compaction. Asphalt is delivered loose, then rolled flat. This shrinks its volume by about 20%. So the tons you order will always be more than the finished, compacted result on the ground. Forgetting this is one of the most common mistakes people make when ordering for a driveway.
This calculator uses standard hot-mix asphalt (HMA) density. For other mix types, see our Types of Asphalt guide.
Real cost breakdowns by project type, including price per ton and per square foot across the US.
Explore NowEnter your project size above to get an instant tonnage estimate. Add your waste allowance, and you’re ready to order.
