Asphalt Tonnage Calculator: Tons from Square Feet, Square Yards & Cubic Yards
Convert any paving area into tons of hot mix asphalt instantly. The calculator below uses the industry-standard 145 lb/ft³ density (adjustable 140—50) and a configurable waste factor —the same math your supplier uses on their batch ticket.
This page answers:
- How many tons of asphalt do I need for my project?
- How do I convert square feet to tons or square yards to tons?
- What density should I use for hot mix vs cold patch?
Tonnage calculator
How to calculate asphalt tonnage (formula + worked example)
Multiply length × width × depth in feet to get cubic feet, then apply density and waste:
Tons = Volume(ft³) × Density(lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 × (1 + Waste%)
= (L × W × D) × 145 ÷ 2,000 × 1.05 [residential default]Convert other inputs into volume first — this is also how to calculate asphalt tonnage from square yards or square feet:
- Square feet: Tons ≈ SF × depth (in) × 0.00604
- Square yards: Tons ≈ SY × depth (in) × 0.054 (the 108.75 lb/SY/in yield shortcut)
- Cubic yards: Tons ≈ CY × 1.96 (about 2 tons per CY of compacted HMA)
- Metric: Tonnes = m² × (mm ÷ 1,000) × 2,322 ÷ 1,000
The full derivation, plus shape-specific formulas (circle, L-shape, road) and a density reference table, is in the how to calculate asphalt tonnage guide.
| Depth | Tons / 100 sq ft | Tons / 100 sq yd | Cubic yards / 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5" | ~0.95 | ~8.55 | ~0.46 |
| 2" | ~1.27 | ~11.43 | ~0.62 |
| 3" | ~1.90 | ~17.15 | ~0.93 |
| 4" | ~2.54 | ~22.86 | ~1.23 |
| 6" | ~3.81 | ~34.30 | ~1.85 |
Density of 145 lb/ft³ matches the NAPA published average. The FHWA uses the same value in federal pavement specifications. Cold patch and recycled asphalt typically run 125—35 lb/ft³ —adjust the density slider above if you're working with those mixes.
How do I convert square yards to tons of asphalt?
Square yards are the most common unit on commercial bid sheets, while tons are how suppliers price the load. The chain is: SY →SF →CF →lb →tons.
Worked example for a 200 sq yd parking lot at 4 inch depth:
- SF = 200 × 9 = 1,800 sq ft
- CF = 1,800 × (4 ÷ 12) = 600 ft³
- lb = 600 × 145 = 87,000 lb
- Tons = 87,000 ÷ 2,000 = 43.5 short tons
- With 7% waste: 43.5 × 1.07 = ~46.5 tons ordered
Why density matters more than people think
Density swings from 140 to 150 lb/ft³ across mixes —that's a 7% range. On a 50-ton order, the wrong density estimate can mean 3.5 tons of unexpected overage or shortfall. Always:
- Ask your supplier for the actual mix density on their batch ticket
- Re-run the calc with the supplier value if it differs from the 145 default
- Keep waste at 5% for new pours, 7-10% for irregular patches and parking lots
The questions below cover the conversion edge cases that come up on real job sites.
Tonnage calculator FAQ
How many tons of asphalt do I need per square foot?
At 3" depth and 145 lb/ft³ density, plan for about 0.0181 tons per square foot. So 1,000 sq ft of 3" driveway needs roughly 18 tons before waste, or 19 tons with the standard 5% waste factor included.
How do I convert square yards to tons?
Multiply sq yd by 9 to get sq ft, then by depth in feet (inches ÷ 12), then by 145 lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000. A 100 sq yd lot at 4 inches needs about 21.75 tons before waste.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of asphalt?
1 cubic yard of compacted asphalt at 145 lb/ft³ weighs about 1.95 short tons. Loose pre-compaction volume is 15 to 20 percent higher, which is why suppliers price by weight rather than volume.
What's the asphalt tonnage formula?
Tons = (Length × Width × Depth in ft) × Density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000 × (1 + Waste%). Use 145 lb/ft³ for HMA and add 5—0% waste for compaction loss.
Does the calculator support metric tonnes?
Yes. Switch to Metric (m / cm) at the top of the calculator and the output flips to metric tonnes (1,000 kg) instead of short tons (2,000 lb). Density is still 145 lb/ft³ converted to roughly 2,323 kg/m³.