How to use the asphalt driveway calculator calculator
- 1
Measure each section
Measure the length and width of each part of the driveway, such as the main run, an apron, or a parking pad. Enter a known area if you already have it.
- 2
Add a section for each shape
Use a separate section for each rectangle, curve, or triangle, and a quantity when several are identical.
- 3
Enter the thickness
Enter the compacted thickness your project uses, in the unit you choose.
- 4
Add density and pricing
Enter a density for tons, and your own price per ton or per cubic yard with any fees for a cost estimate.
Formula
Cubic yards = total square feet x thickness (in) / 324
Add the area of every driveway section, multiply by the thickness, and divide by 324 for cubic yards. For tons, multiply cubic yards by 27 and by a density in pounds per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000.
Worked example
A driveway has a 45 by 10 foot run and a 20 by 16 foot parking area, both paved 3 inches thick.
- 1Run: 45 x 10 = 450 square feet.
- 2Parking area: 20 x 16 = 320 square feet.
- 3Total area = 770 square feet.
- 4770 x 3 / 324 = 7.13 cubic yards.
The driveway needs about 7.13 cubic yards of asphalt before any density or waste.
Worked examples
Curved apron as its own section
A quarter-circle apron with a 12 foot radius, paved 3 inches thick.
- 1Quarter-circle area = 3.14159 x 12^2 / 4 = 113.10 square feet.
- 2113.10 x 3 / 324 = 1.05 cubic yards.
- 3Add this to the straight-run sections for the total.
The curved apron alone adds about 1.05 cubic yards.
Tonnage with a user-entered density
The 7.13 cubic yards above with a density of 145 pounds per cubic foot entered by the user. A math example only.
- 1Cubic feet: 7.13 x 27 = 192.5 cubic feet.
- 2Pounds: 192.5 x 145 = 27,915 pounds.
- 3Tons: 27,915 / 2,000 = 13.96 tons.
At the entered density, 7.13 cubic yards is about 13.96 tons.
How to measure a driveway
Measure the length and width of each paved part of the driveway and multiply them for the area, or enter a known square footage. A typical driveway breaks into a straight run, sometimes a wider parking area, and often a flared apron near the street.
Keep every measurement in the same units and measure the paved surface, not the surrounding yard. If the width changes along the run, treat each width as its own section rather than averaging by eye.
Measuring rectangles, curves, and irregular driveway sections
Straight sections are simple length times width. For a curved apron or a rounded corner, approximate it with a circle or a portion of one, or a triangle, and add it as a separate section. The calculator combines every section into one total.
For a shape that does not match a single option, split it into parts you can measure and add them. The square feet to cubic yards tool converts any area you already know, and the cubic yard calculator handles borders and multiple sections directly.
Multiple-section driveway planning
To estimate a driveway with several parts:
- 1Add a section for the main run.
- 2Add a section for any parking area or turnaround.
- 3Add a section for the apron or curved entry.
- 4Read the combined volume, then apply density and pricing once for the whole job.
Volume versus tons
The volume in cubic yards comes from geometry and is exact once your measurements are. Tons, however, depend on the density of the specific asphalt mix, which the calculator asks you to enter. The same driveway volume can convert to different tonnages for different mixes.
If you are working from a supplier quote in tons, the asphalt tons calculator focuses on that conversion, and tons to cubic yards reverses it when you need a volume back.
New paving versus a resurfacing overlay
A resurfacing overlay adds a fresh layer over an existing surface, and it is estimated the same way as new paving: the driveway area multiplied by the overlay thickness. The difference is the thickness you enter, which is the overlay depth rather than a full build.
Enter the overlay thickness your project uses and the calculator returns the volume and, with a density, the tonnage for that layer. As always, the thickness itself comes from your plan and supplier, not from this tool.
Cost inputs
Add your own price per ton, which uses the tonnage from your density, or a price per cubic yard, along with any delivery or fixed fees. The calculator multiplies and adds only the numbers you provide, so the total reflects your quote rather than a market average.
For a side-by-side of pricing by ton and by cubic yard, use the asphalt cost calculator.
Common mistakes
Watch for these when estimating a driveway:
- Averaging a variable width instead of measuring each section
- Leaving out the apron or a turnaround
- Using an assumed tonnage factor instead of a density from the mix
- Entering the outside of the driveway edging rather than the paved area
- Treating the estimate as a final order quantity
Ordering checklist
Before ordering asphalt for a driveway:
- 1Confirm every section area and the total.
- 2Confirm the thickness from your plan or supplier.
- 3Enter the mix density to estimate tons.
- 4Add a waste allowance and review the volume.
- 5Confirm the supplier unit, order increments, and delivery.
Driveway Area and Thickness to Asphalt Cubic Yards
Cubic yards for common driveway areas at each thickness. Read your total area on the left and the thickness your project uses across the top.
| Area | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 sq ft | 1.85 | 2.78 | 3.7 |
| 400 sq ft | 2.47 | 3.7 | 4.94 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 |
| 600 sq ft | 3.7 | 5.56 | 7.41 |
| 800 sq ft | 4.94 | 7.41 | 9.88 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 |
| 1,200 sq ft | 7.41 | 11.11 | 14.81 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 |
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 much asphalt do I need for a driveway?
- Measure each paved section, add the areas, multiply by the thickness, and divide by 324 for cubic yards. Enter a density to estimate tons. A 770 square foot driveway at 3 inches, for example, is about 7.13 cubic yards.
- How do I measure a driveway with a curve?
- Approximate the curved part with a circle, part of a circle, or a triangle, add it as a separate section, and the calculator combines it with the straight runs.
- How many tons of asphalt for a driveway?
- Convert the driveway volume to tons using the density of your mix: cubic yards times 27 times density divided by 2,000. Because density varies, enter the figure from your supplier rather than assuming one.
- What thickness should a driveway be?
- This calculator does not prescribe a thickness. Use the thickness your project plan, contractor, and local requirements specify, and enter it here to size the quantity.
- Should I include the apron in the estimate?
- Yes. Add the apron as its own section so it is included in the total volume, since it is paved along with the rest of the driveway.
- Is the driveway estimate a final order amount?
- No. It is a planning estimate. Confirm the total, the mix, the supplier unit, and order increments before purchasing.
Driveway volume uses the exact factors of 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 324 square feet per cubic yard inch. Thickness is entered by you, never prescribed. Tonnage uses only a density you enter, and cost uses only prices you enter. See the YardCalc calculation methodology.
Results are planning estimates. Last reviewed 2026-07-07.