How much asphalt do I need?
Asphalt paves driveways, parking areas, and roads, and is almost always ordered by the ton.
Enter the length, width, and depth of your area above. The calculator shows cubic yards, cubic feet, an estimated weight in tons, and the number of bags if you buy bagged asphalt. Add a price per cubic yard and it also estimates the cost.
Cubic yard calculator for asphalt
This cubic yard calculator for asphalt works for any shape. Pick rectangle for most beds and slabs, circle for round areas, or trench for narrow runs. Open the price estimator under the calculator to add your supplier price, delivery fee, and tax. For a full cost breakdown, see the cubic yard price estimator.
Asphalt weight and bags per cubic yard
A planning value for asphalt is 3,900 pounds per cubic yard, which is 1.95 US tons. Moisture, particle size, and compaction move that number, so treat it as a starting point.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic yard | 3,900 |
| US tons per cubic yard | 1.95 |
| Kilograms per cubic yard | 1,769 |
| Cubic yards per US ton | 0.51 |
| Cubic feet per US ton | 13.85 |
How far does a cubic yard of asphalt go?
Coverage depends only on depth. The deeper the layer, the less area a cubic yard covers. The suggested depth for asphalt is 2 to 4 inches, and 3 inches is a common choice.
| Depth (inches) | Square feet covered | Square yards covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 324 | 36.0 |
| 2 | 162 | 18.0 |
| 3 | 108 | 12.0 |
| 4 | 81 | 9.0 |
| 6 | 54 | 6.0 |
| 8 | 40 | 4.5 |
| 12 | 27 | 3.0 |
Asphalt needed for common areas at 3 inches deep
| Area | Square feet | Cubic yards | US tons |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 by 5 ft | 25 | 0.23 | 0.45 |
| 8 by 10 ft | 80 | 0.74 | 1.44 |
| 10 by 10 ft | 100 | 0.93 | 1.81 |
| 10 by 20 ft | 200 | 1.85 | 3.61 |
| 12 by 12 ft | 144 | 1.33 | 2.60 |
| 15 by 20 ft | 300 | 2.78 | 5.42 |
| 20 by 20 ft | 400 | 3.70 | 7.22 |
| 20 by 30 ft | 600 | 5.56 | 10.83 |
| 30 by 40 ft | 1,200 | 11.11 | 21.67 |
| 50 by 50 ft | 2,500 | 23.15 | 45.14 |
Worked example: 40 by 12 feet at 3 inches
The area is 40 feet times 12 feet, or 480 square feet. A depth of 3 inches is 0.25 feet. Volume is 480 times 0.25, which is 120.00 cubic feet. Divide by 27 to get 4.44 cubic yards. At 3,900 pounds per cubic yard that weighs about 8.67 US tons. With 10 percent extra, order 4.89 cubic yards.
Tips for ordering asphalt
- Residential driveways are often paved 2 to 3 inches thick over a compacted base.
- Divide the weight by about 2,000 to see US tons, then add a small allowance.
- Hot mix cools quickly, so the crew needs the exact quantity on the first delivery.
Compacted asphalt is denser than loose mix, so paving crews size the order by tons, not cubic yards.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic yards of asphalt do I need?
Multiply length, width, and depth in feet, then divide by 27. A 40 by 12 foot area at 3 inches deep needs about 4.44 cubic yards.
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
About 3,900 pounds, or 1.95 US tons, as a planning value. Ask your supplier for the exact figure.
How deep should asphalt be?
Most projects use 2 to 4 inches. 3 inches is a common choice.
How many square feet does a cubic yard of asphalt cover?
108 square feet at 3 inches deep, and 324 square feet at 1 inch.