DRIVEWAYS
How to Calculate Asphalt Tonnage
Calculate hot-mix asphalt tons from length, width, compacted depth and waste.
Asphalt orders fail when crews confuse loose lift depth with final compacted depth. Measure the paved footprint, use the compacted thickness and confirm the job-mix density with the plant.
THE SHORT ANSWER
How do you calculate asphalt tonnage?
Multiply length × width × depth in feet, multiply by about 145 lb/cu ft, divide by 2,000 and add waste. A 40 × 15 ft area at 3 in with 5% waste needs about 11.42 tons.
Measure the footprint
Measure length and width in feet. Split irregular pavement into rectangles and add the areas before calculating volume.
- Measure finished paving limits
- Separate irregular sections
- Confirm transitions and tapers
- Exclude islands and drains
Use compacted depth
Enter the final compacted thickness in inches, not the loose lift depth. A 3-inch compacted layer is 0.25 ft for volume calculations.
Convert volume to tons
Multiply cubic feet by a planning density of 145 lb/cu ft, divide by 2,000, then add waste. Use the Asphalt Tonnage Calculator to check the order.
Confirm with the plant
The exact density varies by mix design. Replace the planning density with the supplier's job-mix value before issuing the purchase order.