Asphalt Tonnage Calculator
An asphalt tonnage calculator converts paving area and compacted thickness into US short tons. This calculator uses a generic density of 145 lb/ft³ and shows the area, volume, and tonnage. Enter the finished dimensions and adjust the quantity allowance for your project.
Asphalt tonnage
43.5tons
- Area
- 2,400.00 SF
- Volume before allowance
- 22.22 CY
Formula: tons = length ft × width ft × (thickness in ÷ 12) × 145 lb/ft³ ÷ 2,000 lb, then + waste %
Uses a generic density from the site’s material table. Confirm a product-specific value with the supplier.
How the calculation works
Multiply length by width to get square feet. Divide thickness in inches by 12, then multiply by the area for cubic feet. Multiply that volume by 145 lb/ft³ and divide by 2,000 to get short tons. The allowance percentage increases the tonnage; the area and volume results remain before allowance.
A 100-foot by 24-foot area at 3 inches compacted thickness contains 600 cubic feet, or 22.22 cubic yards. At the calculator’s generic density, that is 43.5 tons before allowance. A 5% allowance would give 45.675 tons, displayed as 45.7. This is an arithmetic example, not a recommended allowance.
Use compacted thickness from the pavement section. Separate areas with different courses or thicknesses and calculate each layer once. For an irregular footprint, split it into non-overlapping rectangles or use measured area in the same formula.
The 145 lb/ft³ value is a generic estimate, not a mix-specific value. If approved mix data gives a different density, calculate volume × that density ÷ 2,000 separately. This widget does not have a custom-density field. Confirm material and delivery quantities before ordering.
Reference values
| Quantity | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Compacted hot mix asphalt | 145 lb/ft³ | generic unit weight |
| Tons per cubic yard | ≈ 1.96 | 145 × 27 ÷ 2,000 |
| Weight per SY per inch of depth | ≈ 109 lb | 9 SF × 1/12 ft × 145 |
| Cubic feet per cubic yard | 27 | standard conversion |
| Pounds per ton | 2,000 | standard conversion |
Frequently asked questions
How many tons are in a cubic yard of asphalt?
At the 145 lb/ft³ value used here, one cubic yard is 1.9575 short tons: 27 × 145 ÷ 2,000. A different mix density changes that conversion.
Do I enter loose or compacted thickness?
Compacted thickness. The density used here represents compacted hot mix, so the dimensions need to describe the same material state.
How do I calculate from square yards?
Multiply square yards by 9 to get square feet. Then multiply by thickness in inches divided by 12, multiply by density in lb/ft³, and divide by 2,000.
Does this include waste?
Only the percentage you enter. It is applied to tonnage after the volume calculation. Zero returns the theoretical quantity.