Asphalt Calculator
Buy Asphalt at Home Depot →How this calculator works
Unlike gravel or sand, asphalt is priced and delivered strictly by weight. This calculator multiplies your area by depth to get cubic feet, then applies asphalt’s density (145 lbs per cubic foot) directly to get tons — no intermediate cubic-yard step.
Formula: Tons = (Length ft × Width ft × Depth ft) × 145 lbs/ft³ ÷ 2000.
Worked example
A 30 ft × 12 ft driveway at 3 inches deep:
- Depth in feet: 3 ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft
- Cubic feet: 30 × 12 × 0.25 = 90 ft³
- Tons: (90 × 145) ÷ 2000 = 6.53 tons
- At $120/ton, that’s $783.00 before waste.
Coverage reference
| Thickness | Coverage per ton |
|---|---|
| 2 in | ~83 sq ft |
| 3 in | ~55 sq ft |
| 4 in | ~41 sq ft |
How to measure your area
Measure the full paved footprint in feet. For driveways with an apron that flares wider near the street, split it into two rectangles and add the tonnage.
Frequently asked questions
How much asphalt do I need for a driveway?
It depends on area and thickness. A typical residential driveway uses 2-3 inches of asphalt over a prepared base. Enter your dimensions and this calculator gives you tonnage directly.
How thick should asphalt be for a driveway?
2-3 inches for standard passenger vehicle driveways. Commercial or heavy-vehicle areas often use 3-4 inches or a two-layer system.
How much does asphalt weigh per cubic foot?
About 145 lbs per cubic foot when compacted, which is what this calculator uses to convert your volume directly into tons.
Why does this calculator go straight from volume to tons, unlike gravel?
Asphalt suppliers quote and sell exclusively by weight (tons), so this calculator skips the cubic-yard step and computes tons directly from length, width, and depth.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.