How Many Tons of Asphalt Do I Need?
Multiply the area in square feet by the compacted thickness in inches, divide by 12, multiply by 145 and divide by 2,000. A 1,000 sq ft driveway at 2 inches needs 12.08 tons, or 13.3 tons with a 10% waste buffer.
The short answer
Multiply the area in square feet by the compacted thickness in inches, divide by 12, multiply by 145 and divide by 2,000. A 1,000 sq ft driveway at 2 inches needs 12.08 tons, or 13.3 tons with a 10% waste buffer.
The formula
Tonnes = Area (m²) × Thickness (m) × 2.3227
The 145 is the density of dense-graded hot mix in pounds per cubic foot. If you are ordering millings, porous asphalt or a regional mix designation, substitute the correct density.
Tonnage by project size
| Area | 2" thick | 3" thick | 4" thick | 6" thick |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 sq ft | 3.0 t | 4.5 t | 6.0 t | 9.1 t |
| 500 sq ft | 6.0 t | 9.1 t | 12.1 t | 18.1 t |
| 600 sq ft | 7.2 t | 10.9 t | 14.5 t | 21.8 t |
| 1,000 sq ft | 12.1 t | 18.1 t | 24.2 t | 36.2 t |
| 2,000 sq ft | 24.2 t | 36.2 t | 48.3 t | 72.5 t |
| 5,000 sq ft | 60.4 t | 90.6 t | 120.8 t | 181.2 t |
| 10,000 sq ft | 120.8 t | 181.2 t | 241.7 t | 362.5 t |
| 20,000 sq ft | 241.7 t | 362.5 t | 483.3 t | 725.0 t |
Add a waste buffer
Loose asphalt behind the paver is about 20% bulkier than the compacted pavement. Add trimming, truck residue and measurement tolerance and you need a buffer: 5% for a simple machine-laid rectangle, 10% for a standard driveway or lot, 15% for curved or hand-worked sites, and 15–20% for millings.
Multi-layer and irregular sites
Calculate each layer separately — a surface course and a binder course have different thicknesses, different mixes and different densities. Split irregular sites into rectangles, triangles and circles, calculate each, and add.
Calculate it yourself
Related calculators and guides
Tonnage calculator
Full project tonnage.
Price per ton
2026 pricing.
How to calculate
The method in full.