Measuring rectangular areas
Multiply length by width for coverage area, then by compacted depth and quantity for volume. Enter each dimension in its own unit if needed; the calculator converts them before multiplying.
Material calculator
Asphalt Calculator
Calculate asphalt volume, weight in short tons, waste allowance, recommended order quantity, and estimated material cost for rectangular or circular paving areas using US, metric, or mixed units.
How much asphalt do you need to order?
Tons, volume, and cost
Project inputs
Enter dimensions
Estimate
Asphalt to order
Recommended order
3.9short tons
3.538 metric tonnes equivalent
Rounded planning order, not the exact calculated weight.
Coverage and depth
Coverage area200 ft²
Coverage area (metric)18.58 m²
Compacted depth3 in
Volume breakdown
Volume before waste1.85 yd³
Waste allowance0.09 yd³
Total asphalt volume1.94 yd³
Cubic feet52.5 ft³
Cubic yards1.94 yd³
Cubic meters1.487 m³
Estimated weight
Density used145 lb/ft³
Estimated weight3.806 short tons
Pounds7,613 lb
Kilograms3,453 kg
Metric tonnes3.453 t
Recommended order3.9 short tons
Estimated material cost
Enter a price per short ton to estimate material cost.
How it's calculated
Rectangle volume
Length × width × compacted depth × quantity
- Waste allowance is added to the base volume.
- Total volume is multiplied by the selected asphalt density.
- The resulting weight is converted to US short tons.
- Recommended order is rounded up to the next 0.1 short ton.
- Material cost uses the recommended order quantity.
Method
How to calculate how much asphalt you need
Measure each dimension, convert them to compatible units, apply the shape formula with compacted depth, add a waste allowance, convert volume into weight with asphalt density, and plan the short-ton order.
Measuring circular areas
Divide diameter by two to find the radius, then use π × radius² for coverage area and multiply by compacted depth and quantity for volume.
Using compacted asphalt depth
Enter the planned final compacted thickness after rolling. Loose thickness before compaction is not used. Suitable depth depends on use, base, load, mix, climate, and project requirements.
Adding a waste allowance
Waste allowance adds material for measurement differences, uneven surfaces, placement losses, and ordering buffer. Apply a percentage to the measured volume; 5% is a planning starting point, not a universal rule.
Converting volume into weight
Total volume including waste is multiplied by asphalt density in lb/ft³ to estimate weight in pounds, then converted to short tons, kilograms, and metric tonnes.
Choosing an appropriate asphalt density
Density drives weight. Prefer supplier mix data when available. The default 145 lb/ft³ is only a planning assumption and may not match your mix.
Ordering asphalt by short ton
Hot-mix asphalt is often sold by the US short ton. The calculator rounds the recommended order upward to the next 0.1 short ton for planning. Confirm minimum order volume and available increments with your supplier.
Accounting for compaction and supplier requirements
Compaction, mix design, and supplier rules change how much asphalt you need and how it is sold. Use compacted depth, verify density, and confirm delivery and order increments before purchasing.
Understanding what the cost estimate excludes
Optional cost uses only your price per short ton times the recommended order. It excludes delivery, taxes, labor, paving, base work, equipment, and other project costs.
Common questions
Asphalt calculator FAQ
How do I calculate how much asphalt I need?
Measure the paving area as a rectangle or circle, enter compacted depth and quantity, then convert every linear dimension to compatible units before multiplying. This calculator converts dimensions to feet, finds coverage area and volume, adds your waste allowance, multiplies total volume by asphalt density to estimate weight, converts to US short tons, rounds the recommended order up to the next 0.1 short ton for planning, and optionally estimates material cost. Treat the result as a planning estimate, not engineering or purchasing advice.
How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
Coverage per short ton depends on compacted depth and the asphalt density you use. Deeper pavement covers fewer square feet per ton; heavier density also reduces coverage. This calculator does not assume a universal coverage rate—enter your area, compacted depth, and density to estimate tonnage for your layout.
What asphalt density should I use?
Use the density for your specific mix when the supplier provides it. The calculator default of 145 lb/ft³ (or the equivalent in kg/m³) is only a planning assumption. Actual density varies with asphalt mix, aggregate, compaction, and supplier data, so verify before ordering by weight.
Should I enter compacted or loose asphalt depth?
Enter compacted depth—the planned final thickness after rolling—not the loose thickness before compaction. Suitable compacted depth depends on pavement use, base, load, mix, climate, and project requirements. The calculator does not recommend a universal depth.
How much extra asphalt should I allow?
A waste allowance covers small measurement differences, uneven surfaces, placement losses, and ordering buffer. The calculator defaults to 5% and allows 0% to 30%, but 5% is not necessarily right for every project. Confirm the allowance with your supplier or contractor.
How many pounds are in a short ton?
One US short ton equals exactly 2,000 pounds. The calculator converts estimated weight and recommended order quantities using that factor, then to kilograms and metric tonnes with 0.45359237 kg per pound.
Why is the recommended order rounded up?
Recommended order rounds the estimated short-ton weight upward to the next 0.1 short ton for planning. Exact estimated weight is still shown separately. Actual minimum order size and available increments depend on your supplier—confirm those before purchasing.
Does the estimated cost include delivery and labor?
No. Estimated material cost multiplies your price per short ton by the recommended order quantity only. It does not include delivery, taxes, equipment, paving, grading, excavation, base material, tack coat, compaction, striping, drainage, removal of existing pavement, labor, or permits.
More tools
Related calculators
- Concrete CalculatorEstimate concrete volume, ready-mix orders, and bag counts for slabs, walls, footings, and columns.
- Gravel CalculatorCalculate gravel volume and tonnage for driveways, paths, and landscaping beds.
- Mulch CalculatorEstimate mulch volume and bag counts for garden beds and landscaping projects.
- Paint CalculatorCalculate wall and ceiling area, paint gallons, coats, waste allowance, containers to buy, and estimated material cost for painting projects.
- Tile CalculatorCalculate tile quantity, waste allowance, boxes to buy, purchased coverage, and estimated material cost for floors, walls, and other surfaces.
- Flooring CalculatorCalculate flooring area, waste allowance, boxes to buy, purchased coverage, and estimated material cost for laminate, vinyl plank, hardwood, and other boxed flooring.
- Drywall CalculatorCalculate wall and ceiling drywall area, waste allowance, sheets to buy, purchased area, and estimated material cost for rectangular rooms or known net area.
- Deck CalculatorCalculate how many decking boards you need from deck dimensions or known area, including board size, gaps, waste allowance, and estimated material cost.
- Fence CalculatorCalculate fence pickets, panels, posts, and rails for one straight fence run, including spacing, gaps, waste allowance, and optional material cost.