How to use the asphalt tons calculator calculator
- 1
Choose a mode
Use Project dimensions if you have an area and thickness, or Known cubic yards if you already have a volume.
- 2
Enter your numbers
For dimensions, enter the area, thickness, and any quantity or waste. For known volume, enter the cubic yards.
- 3
Enter the density
Enter the density of your asphalt mix in pounds per cubic foot, from your specification or supplier.
- 4
Review the result
Read the pounds, US short tons, and metric tonnes, plus the volume they came from.
Formula
US short tons = cubic yards x 27 x density (lb/ft³) / 2,000
Cubic yards times 27 gives cubic feet, times the density gives pounds, and dividing by 2,000 gives US short tons. To reverse it, cubic yards = tons times 2,000 divided by (27 times density).
Worked example
A project needs 6 cubic yards of asphalt, and the mix density entered is 145 pounds per cubic foot.
- 1Cubic feet: 6 x 27 = 162 cubic feet.
- 2Pounds: 162 x 145 = 23,490 pounds.
- 3US short tons: 23,490 / 2,000 = 11.75 tons.
At the entered density, 6 cubic yards is about 11.75 US short tons.
Worked examples
From dimensions
A 1,000 square foot area at 3 inches thick, with a density of 145 pounds per cubic foot.
- 1Cubic yards: 1,000 x 3 / 324 = 9.26 cubic yards.
- 2Cubic feet: 9.26 x 27 = 250 cubic feet.
- 3Tons: 250 x 145 / 2,000 = 18.13 tons.
At the entered density the area works out to about 18.13 tons.
Reverse conversion
A supplier quote of 20 tons, converted back to volume at a density of 145 pounds per cubic foot.
- 1Pounds: 20 x 2,000 = 40,000 pounds.
- 2Cubic feet: 40,000 / 145 = 275.9 cubic feet.
- 3Cubic yards: 275.9 / 27 = 10.22 cubic yards.
At the entered density, 20 tons is about 10.22 cubic yards.
Why asphalt tons depend on density
Tonnage is weight, and weight is volume multiplied by density. Asphalt mixes differ in aggregate, binder, and compaction, so their densities differ, and that means the same volume can weigh different amounts. There is no universal tons-per-yard figure that fits every mix.
Because of that, this calculator asks for the density of your specific asphalt rather than assuming a value. Enter the figure from your mix specification or supplier, and the tonnage will reflect that material.
Cubic yards versus tons
Cubic yards measure how much space the asphalt fills, while tons measure how much it weighs. Suppliers often sell by the ton, so a volume estimate has to be converted before ordering. The two are linked only through density.
If you need the volume side first, the asphalt calculator sizes a project from dimensions, and the general cubic yards to tons tool applies the same weight math to any material once you supply a density.
Density input guidance
Density is entered in pounds per cubic foot. Use the value from your mix specification or the figure your supplier provides for the product you are buying, since it is specific to that asphalt.
Asphalt weight estimates depend on the density entered. Confirm the mix specification, supplier information, and final ordering requirements before purchasing. Treat the tonnage as an estimate for the density you supplied, not a fixed property of all asphalt.
Checking a supplier ticket against your plan
When a delivery arrives, the ticket lists tons while your plan was in volume. Converting the delivered tons back to cubic yards at the mix density lets you check the amount against the area and thickness you planned for. If the volumes line up, the order matches; if not, a unit or measurement mismatch is worth tracing.
Because the check depends on density, use the supplier's figure for the delivered product. Treat the comparison as a sanity check rather than an exact match, since real density varies batch to batch.
Reverse conversion
Sometimes you start with a tonnage, such as a supplier quote, and want the volume it represents. Rearranging the formula, cubic yards equal tons times 2,000 divided by 27 times the density. The known-volume mode and this reverse step let you move between the two units freely.
For a dedicated volume-from-weight conversion, the tons to cubic yards tool does the same arithmetic with any density you enter.
Common mistakes
Avoid these when estimating asphalt tons:
- Using a generic tons-per-yard factor instead of a density from your mix
- Entering density in the wrong unit rather than pounds per cubic foot
- Leaving thickness out and converting an area straight to tons
- Confusing US short tons with metric tonnes
- Treating the tonnage as exact rather than dependent on the density entered
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 in pounds, US short tons, and metric tonnes.
| 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 |
Area and Thickness to Cubic Yards
Cubic yards for each area and thickness, which you can convert to tons with a density above. Every value is square feet times thickness in inches divided by 324.
| Area | 2 in | 3 in | 4 in | 6 in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 sq ft | 1.54 | 2.31 | 3.09 | 4.63 |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 | 4.63 | 6.17 | 9.26 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 | 9.26 | 12.35 | 18.52 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 9.26 | 13.89 | 18.52 | 27.78 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 | 18.52 | 24.69 | 37.04 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 18.52 | 27.78 | 37.04 | 55.56 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many tons of asphalt do I need?
- Find the volume in cubic yards, multiply by 27 and by the density of your mix in pounds per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000. The result is US short tons for the density you entered.
- How do I convert cubic yards of asphalt to tons?
- Multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, multiply by the density, and divide by 2,000. Enter the density of your specific asphalt, since it varies by mix.
- What density should I use for asphalt?
- Use the density from your mix specification or supplier, entered in pounds per cubic foot. The calculator does not assume a value because asphalt density varies by mix and compaction.
- How do I convert asphalt tons back to cubic yards?
- Multiply tons by 2,000 for pounds, divide by the density for cubic feet, then divide by 27 for cubic yards. The reverse example on this page shows the steps.
- What is the difference between short tons and metric tonnes?
- A US short ton is 2,000 pounds, while a metric tonne is about 2,204.6 pounds. The calculator shows both so you can match your supplier's unit.
- Why does the calculator need a thickness in dimensions mode?
- Because tons come from volume, and volume is area times thickness. Without a thickness there is no volume to convert to weight.
Tonnage uses the exact factors of 27 cubic feet per cubic yard and 2,000 pounds per US short ton, with a density you enter. No fixed asphalt density or tons-per-yard factor is assumed. See the YardCalc calculation methodology.
Results are planning estimates. Last reviewed 2026-07-07.