How Many Square Feet Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
One ton of dense-graded hot mix asphalt covers about 81 square feet at 2 inches of compacted thickness, 54 square feet at 3 inches and 40 square feet at 4 inches.
The short answer
One ton of dense-graded hot mix asphalt covers about 81 square feet at 2 inches of compacted thickness, 54 square feet at 3 inches and 40 square feet at 4 inches.
Coverage by thickness
| Compacted thickness | Coverage per ton | Coverage per ton | Tons per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 in | 161 sq ft | 17.9 sq yd | 6.2 t |
| 1.5 in | 107 sq ft | 11.9 sq yd | 9.3 t |
| 2 in | 81 sq ft | 9.0 sq yd | 12.4 t |
| 2.5 in | 64 sq ft | 7.1 sq yd | 15.5 t |
| 3 in | 54 sq ft | 6.0 sq yd | 18.6 t |
| 4 in | 40 sq ft | 4.4 sq yd | 24.8 t |
| 5 in | 32 sq ft | 3.6 sq yd | 31.0 t |
| 6 in | 27 sq ft | 3.0 sq yd | 37.2 t |
Why coverage changes with mix type
Coverage is inversely proportional to density. A ton of porous asphalt at 100 lb/ft³ covers about 45% more ground than a ton of dense-graded mix at 145 lb/ft³, because it is lighter for the same volume. RAP millings at 125 lb/ft³ cover about 16% more.
Using coverage to check a quote
If a contractor quotes 15 tons for a 1,200 sq ft driveway at 3 inches, divide: 1,200 ÷ 54 = 22.2 tons before any buffer. They are 30% short, which usually means they are quoting 2 inches and describing it as 3. Coverage is the fastest sanity check available on a paving quote.
The formula
m² per tonne = 1,000 ÷ (density kg/m³ × thickness m)
Calculate it yourself
Related calculators and guides
Tonnage calculator
Full project tonnage.
Price per ton
2026 pricing.
How to calculate
The method in full.