Asphalt Calculator: Volume, Tonnage & Material Cost

 

Estimate asphalt volume and mass for a rectangular area of uniform thickness. Enter dimensions and a material density, then optionally calculate material cost from your supplier's price.

Calculate asphalt volume and tonnage

Use density appropriate to the material state represented by your dimensions. For a compacted layer, obtain a corresponding compacted density from your supplier or project specification. No universal density or thickness is assumed.

This calculator needs JavaScript. If this message stays visible, the calculator has not loaded.

Dimension and density unitsFeet, inches, and lb per cubic footMeters, centimeters, and kg per cubic meter

Length (feet)Width (feet)Thickness (inches)Density (lb per cubic foot)Material price (USD, optional)Price is perUS short ton (2,000 lb)Metric tonne (1,000 kg)

Changing the dimension system clears dimensions and density to avoid reinterpreting old values. Price units are selected separately. The estimate has no extra material allowance and is not rounded to supplier order quantities.

Your entries are calculated in this browser. This tool does not save or send them. Google Blogger may separately provide its own platform services and cookies.

For worked examples, read our guide to calculating asphalt tonnage and material cost.

How to calculate asphalt tonnage

Volume (ft3) = length (ft) x width (ft) x thickness (in) / 12. Then US short tons = volume (ft3) x density (lb/ft3) / 2,000.

For an arithmetic example only, assume a 12 ft by 9 ft area, 3 in thickness, and a supplied density of 145 lb/ft3. Volume is 27 ft3, or 1 cubic yard. Mass is 3,915 lb, equal to 1.9575 US short tons. The example values are not a material or pavement-design recommendation.

Metric asphalt tonnage formula

Volume (m3) = length (m) x width (m) x thickness (cm) / 100. Then metric tonnes = volume (m3) x density (kg/m3) / 1,000.

US short tons and metric tonnes are different

A US short ton is 2,000 lb, or exactly 907.18474 kg. A metric tonne is 1,000 kg. The tool labels both and lets you choose which mass unit your supplier's price uses. It does not use the 2,240 lb long ton.

Frequently asked questions

What density should I enter?

Use a value for your mix and the condition represented by the volume. Compacted, loose, reclaimed, and other materials can differ. A price or tonnage estimate based on an assumed density is only as appropriate as that assumption.

Does this calculate installed driveway cost?

No. Optional cost is calculated material mass times your entered material unit price. It excludes excavation, base preparation, labor, equipment, delivery, minimum loads, taxes, and other charges.

Does this calculate sealcoat or asphalt shingles?

No. Sealcoat coverage and roofing require different models. For roof shingle quantities, use our Roof Shingle Calculator.

Does the result include waste or compaction allowance?

No. Do not apply an arbitrary compaction multiplier to a volume that already represents the compacted layer and uses compacted density. Confirm any ordering allowance with your supplier or project specification.

Can I use irregular or sloping areas?

This model assumes a rectangle of uniform thickness. Calculate separate sections where appropriate and account for actual geometry. It does not design pavement thickness or assess load capacity.

What input limits apply?

Dimensions and density must be positive and accept up to four decimal places. Length and width are limited to 1,000,000; thickness and density to 100,000 in the selected units. Volume is limited to one billion cubic meters. Optional price accepts zero to $1 million with two decimal places. These are calculation limits, not recommended construction values.

For aggregate volume without a density-based tonnage estimate, use our Gravel Calculator.