How to use the asphalt calculator calculator
- 1
Pick a shape
Choose the shape that matches your area: rectangle, square, circle, triangle, trapezoid, a border, or a known area. Add a section for each separate area.
- 2
Enter the measurements
Type the dimensions in the unit you select. For a known area, enter the square footage directly.
- 3
Set the thickness
Enter the compacted thickness your project calls for and choose the unit. Asphalt thickness is usually entered in inches.
- 4
Add density and pricing if needed
Enter a density to estimate tons, and add your own price per ton or per cubic yard with any delivery or fixed fees.
- 5
Review the result
Read the cubic yards, tons, and cost. Confirm the mix specification, supplier unit, order increments, and final project requirements before purchasing.
Formula
Cubic yards = square feet x thickness (in) / 324
The number 324 is 27 cubic feet per cubic yard times 12 inches per foot. Multiply each section's area by the thickness, add the sections, then divide by 324. For tons, multiply cubic yards by 27 and by a density in pounds per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000.
Worked example
A rectangular driveway measures 40 feet by 12 feet and will be paved 3 inches thick.
- 1Find the area: 40 x 12 = 480 square feet.
- 2Apply the formula: 480 x 3 / 324 = 4.44 cubic yards.
- 3In cubic feet that is 480 x (3 / 12) = 120 cubic feet.
- 4This is the geometric volume; tons need a density.
The driveway needs about 4.44 cubic yards, or 120 cubic feet, of asphalt.
Worked examples
Circular paved area
A circular pad 20 feet across, paved 2 inches thick.
- 1Circle area = 3.14159 x (20 / 2)^2 = 314.16 square feet.
- 2314.16 x 2 / 324 = 1.94 cubic yards.
- 3In cubic feet: 314.16 x (2 / 12) = 52.36 cubic feet.
About 1.94 cubic yards, or roughly 52.36 cubic feet.
Multiple connected sections
A 40 by 12 foot run and a 20 by 10 foot apron, both 3 inches thick.
- 1Run: 40 x 12 = 480 square feet.
- 2Apron: 20 x 10 = 200 square feet.
- 3Total area = 680 square feet.
- 4680 x 3 / 324 = 6.30 cubic yards.
The two sections together need about 6.30 cubic yards.
Mathematical example using a user-entered density
Using the 4.44 cubic yards above with a density of 145 pounds per cubic foot entered by the user. This shows the arithmetic only and does not claim a density for any mix.
- 1Convert to cubic feet: 4.44 x 27 = 120 cubic feet.
- 2Multiply by the entered density: 120 x 145 = 17,400 pounds.
- 3Convert to US short tons: 17,400 / 2,000 = 8.7 tons.
At the entered 145 pounds per cubic foot, 4.44 cubic yards works out to 8.7 tons.
User-entered cost example
The 8.7 tons above priced at 120 dollars per ton entered by the user, with a 200 dollar delivery fee.
- 1Material: 8.7 x 120 = 1,044 dollars.
- 2Add delivery: 1,044 + 200 = 1,244 dollars.
- 3No other fixed fee in this example.
At the entered prices the estimate is about 1,244 dollars.
How to use the asphalt calculator
Pick the shape that matches your area and enter its measurements, or split an odd layout into several sections. Set the compacted thickness your project calls for, and read the cubic yards, cubic feet, and cubic meters in the result. Those volume figures come from geometry alone and do not depend on any material assumption.
To go further, open the optional inputs. A density turns the volume into pounds, US short tons, and metric tonnes, a waste allowance adds a margin, and your own prices produce a cost estimate by the ton or by the cubic yard. Everything updates as you type, so you can compare before you order.
How asphalt volume is calculated
Asphalt is placed as a layer, so the amount you need is the paved area multiplied by the thickness. The calculator finds the area of each shape you enter, multiplies by the thickness, and adds the sections together into one volume.
Dividing cubic feet by 27 gives cubic yards, and you can also divide square feet times thickness in inches by 324 to reach cubic yards in one step, because 27 times 12 is 324. To review the volume method, see how to calculate cubic yards and size a general project with the cubic yard calculator.
How asphalt tonnage is estimated
Asphalt is usually bought by weight, so the volume has to be converted to tons. Weight is volume times density: multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, multiply by the density in pounds per cubic foot, and divide by 2,000 for US short tons.
This calculator asks you to enter that density rather than assuming one. To convert an existing volume figure, the cubic yards to tons tool applies the same math, and tons to cubic yards reverses it.
Why density affects asphalt weight
There is no single weight for asphalt because different mixes, aggregate sizes, and compaction levels pack differently. A change in density changes the tonnage directly, so two projects with the same volume can need different tons if their mixes differ.
That is why the calculator treats density as an input you provide from your mix specification or supplier, and labels weight as an estimate for that value. It never presents a fixed tons-per-yard factor, because none applies to every asphalt mix.
Multiple areas and irregular project shapes
Real paving jobs are often several areas at once. To handle them:
- 1Add a section for each separate area or shape.
- 2Pick the shape that best matches each one.
- 3Use the quantity field when several areas are identical.
- 4The calculator adds every section into one total volume, tonnage, and cost.
Waste allowance and measurement variation
Edges, joints, compaction, and slightly uneven ground all change how much asphalt a real job uses. A waste allowance adds a margin so you do not fall short. The calculator lets you set your own percentage rather than forcing one value.
Keep the unrounded number while planning and round only when you place the order. An estimate is a planning figure, not a final order quantity, so confirm the amount and any order increment with your supplier.
How to estimate asphalt cost
Cost depends on the prices you are quoted, so the calculator never assumes one. Enter a price per ton, which uses the tonnage from your density, or a price per cubic yard, and add any delivery or fixed fees. Each priced option shows a material subtotal and an estimated total.
Local pricing, delivery, and order minimums vary widely, so treat the total as an estimate to compare quotes. For a dedicated breakdown, use the asphalt cost calculator.
Common mistakes
A few simple errors cause most wrong asphalt estimates:
- Leaving out thickness and treating square feet as if they were a volume
- Using an assumed tons-per-yard factor instead of a density from your mix
- Mixing units, such as feet for width but a different system for thickness
- Forgetting to add separate areas together
- Rounding each measurement early instead of at the final order step
- Treating the estimate as a final order quantity rather than a planning figure
Square Feet to Asphalt Cubic Yards by Thickness
Cubic yards for each area and thickness. Read your area on the left and thickness across the top. Every value is square feet times thickness in inches divided by 324.
| Area | 1 in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in | 8 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.309 | 0.617 | 0.926 | 1.23 | 1.85 | 2.47 |
| 250 sq ft | 0.772 | 1.54 | 2.31 | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 |
| 500 sq ft | 1.54 | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 |
| 750 sq ft | 2.31 | 4.63 | 6.94 | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3.09 | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 | 24.69 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 4.63 | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 | 27.78 | 37.04 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 12.35 | 18.52 | 24.69 | 37.04 | 49.38 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 9.26 | 18.52 | 27.78 | 37.04 | 55.56 | 74.07 |
Asphalt Coverage by Cubic Yards and Thickness
Square feet that each volume covers at a given thickness, from cubic yards times 324 divided by thickness in inches.
| Cubic yards | 1 in | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 162 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft | 40.5 sq ft | 27 sq ft |
| 1 | 324 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft | 81 sq ft | 54 sq ft |
| 2 | 648 sq ft | 324 sq ft | 216 sq ft | 162 sq ft | 108 sq ft |
| 3 | 972 sq ft | 486 sq ft | 324 sq ft | 243 sq ft | 162 sq ft |
| 5 | 1,620 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft | 405 sq ft | 270 sq ft |
| 10 | 3,240 sq ft | 1,620 sq ft | 1,080 sq ft | 810 sq ft | 540 sq ft |
Tonnage Mathematics by Entered Density
Mathematical examples by entered density. These are not asphalt material specifications. Each row shows what one cubic yard weighs at that density.
| Entered density (lb/ft³) | Pounds per cubic yard | US short tons per cubic yard | Metric tonnes per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 1,350 | 0.675 | 0.612 |
| 75 | 2,025 | 1.01 | 0.919 |
| 100 | 2,700 | 1.35 | 1.22 |
| 125 | 3,375 | 1.69 | 1.53 |
| 150 | 4,050 | 2.03 | 1.84 |
Frequently asked questions
- How do I calculate asphalt?
- Measure the paved area, multiply by the thickness, and divide square feet times thickness in inches by 324 for cubic yards. To estimate tons, multiply cubic yards by 27 and by a density you enter, then divide by 2,000.
- How many cubic feet are in a cubic yard of asphalt?
- Exactly 27 cubic feet, because a cubic yard is a 3 foot by 3 foot by 3 foot cube. This holds for asphalt and every other bulk material.
- How do I convert asphalt cubic yards to tons?
- Multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, multiply by a density in pounds per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000. Because asphalt density varies by mix, enter a density from your specification or supplier rather than assuming one.
- What is the tons per cubic yard for asphalt?
- There is no single value, because it depends on the mix density. The calculator computes tons per cubic yard from whatever density you enter, so it stays accurate for your specific asphalt.
- How much area does a cubic yard of asphalt cover?
- It depends on thickness. One cubic yard covers 324 square feet at 1 inch, 162 square feet at 2 inches, and 108 square feet at 3 inches.
- What thickness of asphalt should I use?
- That depends on the project, the mix, and local requirements, so no single thickness is right for everything. Enter the thickness your plan or supplier specifies; the calculator works for any value you provide.
- Can I calculate asphalt for an irregular area?
- Yes. Split the area into rectangles, circles, and triangles, add a section for each, and the calculator combines them. You can also enter a known area directly.
- Is the calculator result a final order amount?
- No. It is a planning estimate from your measurements and inputs. Confirm the mix specification, supplier unit, and order increments before you place an order.
Asphalt volume uses the exact factors of 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 324 square feet per cubic yard inch. Tonnage uses only a density you enter, and cost uses only prices you enter. Tables are generated by the shared calculation engine. See the YardCalc calculation methodology.
Results are planning estimates. Last reviewed 2026-07-07.