Square Feet ↔ Square Yards AREA
Convert paving area between U.S. residential (sq ft) and commercial bid-sheet (sq yd) units.
SY = SF ÷ 9 · SF = SY × 9
Asphalt Unit Converter 2026: Square Feet, Square Yards, Cubic Yards, Tons, and Density Units
Square yards to tons. Cubic yards to tons. lb/ft³ to kg/m³. Imperial to metric. Every conversion every paving project ever needs — in one place, with the math written out next to each tool.
Use the asphalt density chart when you need a mix-specific value instead of the 145 lb/ft³ default. If your goal is ordering material, the asphalt tonnage calculator combines area, depth, density, and waste in one workflow.
Square Yards ↔ Tons DEPTH
Most common commercial conversion. Requires depth + density to make the cut.
—Short tons (US)
Tons = SY × 9 × (D ÷ 12) × Density ÷ 2,000
Cubic Yards ↔ Tons VOLUME
Convert volume orders to weight tickets — quarry vs supplier units.
Tons = CY × 27 × Density ÷ 2,000 · 1 CY HMA ≈ 1.96 tons
Tons ↔ Cubic Feet VOLUME
Reverse-solve volume from a supplier weight ticket — useful for verifying delivery.
CF = Tons × 2,000 ÷ Density · 1 ton ≈ 13.79 CF @ 145 lb/ft³
lb/ft³ ↔ kg/m³ DENSITY
Imperial to metric density. Used on international and Canadian / EU project specs.
kg/m³ = lb/ft³ × 16.0185 · 145 lb/ft³ = 2,322.7 kg/m³
Imperial ↔ Metric Depth LENGTH
Convert pavement depth between inches (US specs) and centimeters (metric specs).
cm = in × 2.54 · 3" ≈ 7.6 cm · 4" ≈ 10.2 cm
When should you use loose or compacted asphalt units?
Use compacted units for finished pavement thickness, contractor bids, and driveway or parking-lot estimates. Use loose volume only when a supplier specifically quotes pre-compaction yield, because rolling normally reduces apparent volume before the final surface reaches design density.
What is the asphalt unit conversion cheatsheet?
| From | To | Factor | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 sq yd | sq ft | ×9 | Pure unit conversion |
| 1 sq yd × 4" depth | tons | ×0.218 | 4 in. parking-lot lift |
| 1 sq yd × 3" depth | tons | ×0.163 | Driveway full lift |
| 1 sq ft × 1" depth | tons | ×0.00604 | Per-inch shortcut |
| 1 cubic yard | tons | ×1.96 | 27 ft³ × 145 lb ÷ 2,000 |
| 1 cubic yard | cubic feet | ×27 | Pure unit conversion |
| 1 ton (US short) | lb | ×2,000 | Short ton standard |
| 1 ton (US short) | kg | ×907.185 | For metric specs |
| 1 metric tonne | tons US | ×1.1023 | 1,000 kg vs 2,000 lb |
| 1 inch | centimeters | ×2.54 | Pure unit conversion |
| 145 lb/ft³ | kg/m³ | =2,322.7 | Standard HMA density |
| 1 gallon sealer | sq ft coverage | ×70 | 2-coat residential typical |
All conversions assume compacted hot mix asphalt at 145 lb/ft³. For asphalt millings (110 lb/ft³) or cold patch (120 lb/ft³), use the converters above and adjust the density input. Click any column to sort.
What do people ask about asphalt unit conversion?
How do I convert square yards to tons of asphalt?
Multiply sq yd by 9 to get sq ft, then by depth in feet (in ÷ 12), then by 145 lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000. A 100 sq yd lot at 4 inches needs about 21.75 tons. Use converter #2 above for instant math.
How many tons in a cubic yard of asphalt?
1.96 short tons compacted at 145 lb/ft³. Range 1.95–2.05 depending on actual density. Loose pre-compaction volume runs 15–20% higher. Use converter #3 above to enter your supplier's actual density.
Convert lb/ft³ to kg/m³?
Multiply by 16.0185. So 145 lb/ft³ × 16.0185 = 2,322.7 kg/m³. The standard U.S. HMA density of 145 matches roughly 2,323 kg/m³ used in metric specs. Converter #5 above is bidirectional.
Why does the calculator use 145 lb/ft³ as default?
That's the NAPA published average for compacted hot mix asphalt. Real-world range is 140-150 depending on aggregate gradation and binder content. Asphalt millings drop to 100-120 lb/ft³ and cold patch to 110-125. Adjust the density slider in any converter that has one.
What's the difference between short tons and metric tonnes?
Short ton (US) = 2,000 lb = 907.185 kg. Metric tonne = 1,000 kg = 2,204.6 lb. So 1 metric tonne = 1.1023 short tons. U.S. and Canadian asphalt suppliers price by short ton; international and EU specs use tonnes.