Asphalt Calculator
Calculate how many tons of asphalt and base stone you need for your driveway, parking pad, or patch work.
Last updated: April 12, 2026
Enter Project Details
Dimensions
Asphalt Thickness & Base
Base depth is your compacted crushed stone or gravel section. Patch work often uses 0 if the base stays in place.
Material Assumptions
Keep the default unless your supplier gave you a specific density for the mix.
Optional Cost
Results
Total Asphalt Tonnage
4.57 tons
About 2.33 cu yd of hot mix, with 5% waste already included
Required Base Stone
4.67 cu yd
3.568 m³ compacted base
Area
240 sq ft
22.3 sq m
Density Used
145 lb/cu ft
2322.68 kg/m³
Estimated Material Cost
Optional
add price per ton above to estimate cost
This is a planning estimate. Actual yield will shift with the mix design, compaction, surface prep, and your local supplier.
Worked Examples
| Project | Area | Asphalt | Base | Tons | Base (cu yd) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patch Lane (8×20 ft) | 160 sq ft | 2" | 0-2 in | 2.0 | 0.0-1.0 |
| Single Driveway (10×20 ft) | 200 sq ft | 3" | 6 in | 3.8 | 3.7 |
| Single Driveway (12×20 ft) | 240 sq ft | 3" | 6 in | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Long Driveway (12×40 ft) | 480 sq ft | 2.5" | 6 in | 7.6 | 8.9 |
| Two-Car Driveway (20×20 ft) | 400 sq ft | 3" | 6 in | 7.6 | 7.4 |
| Small Parking Area (30×60 ft) | 1800 sq ft | 3" | 8 in | 34.3 | 44.4 |
Assumes 145 lb/cu ft density and 5% waste. Actual values vary by local specs and supplier.
Recommended Thickness
| Use Case | Asphalt Depth | Base Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Residential driveway (sandy soil) | 3" | 4" |
| Residential driveway (clay) | 3" | 8" |
| Cold climate / freeze-thaw areas | 4-6" | 6-8" |
| Parking lot (light-duty) | 4-5" | 8" |
| Patch work (existing base) | 2" | 0-2" |
Typical Cost Range
Typical driveway cost
$4,000 - $8,000
Asphalt material per ton
$100 - $150
Labor + prep + delivery
Additional (get quote)
Material cost varies by region. Get contractor quotes for labor, prep, and delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Measure length × width in feet, convert thickness to feet (3" = 0.25 ft), multiply to get cubic feet, apply density (~145 lb/cu ft), then divide by 2,000. This calculator handles the full tonnage workflow—enter your dimensions and thickness, and it outputs tons to order.
Minimum 3" for residential driveways. In cold climates with freeze-thaw cycles, use 4-6" full-depth asphalt to prevent cracking. Parking lots should be 4-5" for light-duty, 7-8" for heavy-duty or truck traffic.
Install 4" compacted crushed gravel base over sandy soil, or 8" over clay. Parking lots typically need 8" of base. A proper base reduces asphalt thickness needed and prevents shifting and cracking.
Typical installed cost: $4,000-$8,000 for a standard residential driveway. Material runs $100-$150 per ton depending on your region. Labor, prep, and delivery are additional—get contractor quotes for full project cost.
At 3" thickness, 1 ton covers about 50-55 sq ft. At 4" thickness, coverage drops to about 40 sq ft. Thicker pavement needs more material per square foot—use the calculator to get exact tonnage for your planned depth.
Actual mix density varies by supplier, compaction behavior differs by crew, and plants round to practical load increments. Your final installed thickness may also vary slightly from the planned depth.