siteworkcalcMeasure the asphalt layer
Use the area being paved and its specified thickness after compaction. This calculator does not choose a pavement design or recommend a load-bearing thickness.
ASPHALT & DRIVEWAYS / TOOL 03
Asphalt Calculator.
From pavement measurements to a clear tonnage estimate.
Use the finished, compacted thickness of your asphalt layer.
01 / YOUR PAVEMENT
Estimate asphalt tons
02 / YOUR ESTIMATE
Tons for your paving plan
Enter your measurements, then calculate to see a breakdown.
Plan the paved layer
Check the mix density
Start with the labeled MAPA estimating assumption or enter a supplier’s compacted mix density. Loose truck volume and finished pavement volume are different states.
Keep the quote separate
Add a price per US short ton or metric tonne to estimate material cost. Confirm delivery, minimum loads, equipment, base preparation, tax and labor separately.
THE CALCULATION
Compacted volume to tonnage
Volume (ft³) = area (ft²) × thickness (in) ÷ 12US short tons = volume (ft³) × density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000Metric volume: area (m²) × depth (cm) ÷ 100 = m³. Weight (metric tonnes) = m³ × density (kg/m³) ÷ 1,000. Ordering allowance multiplies the base quantity by (1 + percentage ÷ 100).
1 yd³ = 27 ft³ = 0.764554857984 m³. A US short ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg. Calculations retain precision until display.
1,000 ft² at 3 inches
A 50 × 20 ft area at 3 in compacted thickness contains 250 ft³. At the MAPA estimating density of 146⅔ lb/ft³, that is 18.3333 US short tons, or about 16.6317 metric tonnes.
Optional 5% ordering allowance brings this to 19.25 US short tons. At an example $100 per US short ton, material cost is $1,925. The depth, allowance and price are examples, not recommendations.
Before ordering asphalt
Asphalt or blacktop?
This tool covers asphalt paving material, also commonly called blacktop. It does not estimate sealcoat, cold-patch containers or reclaimed asphalt millings using the same density assumption.
Base stone is a separate layer
For an aggregate layer beneath the asphalt, use the Stone Calculator with its own depth and supplier bulk density. Do not count the base depth as asphalt thickness.
Do I add a compaction percentage?
The calculation already uses compacted thickness and compacted density. Extra allowance only increases your order; it is not a conversion from loose asphalt to finished pavement.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Asphalt estimating, explained
Is a US ton the same as a metric tonne?
No. A US short ton is 2,000 lb; a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (about 2,204.62 lb). The result shows both. Keep your quoted price in its original unit.
Can I use a loose thickness measurement?
Not with the compacted-density assumption. Enter the intended finished thickness from your project specification and obtain a suitable mix density. This tool does not predict a rolling or compaction factor.
Is this a total driveway quote?
No. Optional cost covers estimated asphalt material only. Base work, demolition, labor, equipment, delivery and tax are excluded.
METHOD & REFERENCES
Sources and assumptions
Reviewed October 5, 2026. MAPA publishes 110 lb per square yard per inch of compacted thickness, equivalent to 146⅔ lb/ft³. This is an estimating assumption, not a universal mix specification. Custom density replaces it. Depth, allowance and material price are supplied by you.