Estimate hot mix asphalt tonnage and project costs instantly.
Standard Driveway: 2-3 inches
Standard US Density is approx. 148 lbs/ft³
Project Estimate
Total Area:0 sq ft
Total Volume:0 cu ft
Required Asphalt:0.00 Tons
Estimated Material Cost:$0.00
function calculateAsphalt() {
// Get Input Values
var lengthFeet = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aac_length').value);
var widthFeet = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aac_width').value);
var thickInches = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aac_thickness').value);
var density = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aac_density').value);
var costPerTon = parseFloat(document.getElementById('aac_cost').value);
var errorDiv = document.getElementById('aac_error');
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('aac_result');
var costRow = document.getElementById('row_cost');
// Validation
if (isNaN(lengthFeet) || isNaN(widthFeet) || isNaN(thickInches) || lengthFeet <= 0 || widthFeet <= 0 || thickInches <= 0) {
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid positive numbers for length, width, and thickness.";
resultDiv.style.display = 'none';
return;
}
if (isNaN(density) || density 0) {
totalCost = weightTons * costPerTon;
hasCost = true;
}
// Update DOM
document.getElementById('res_area').innerHTML = areaSqFt.toLocaleString('en-US', {maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " sq ft";
document.getElementById('res_volume').innerHTML = volumeCuFt.toLocaleString('en-US', {maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " cu ft";
document.getElementById('res_tons').innerHTML = weightTons.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " Tons";
if (hasCost) {
costRow.style.display = 'flex';
document.getElementById('res_cost').innerHTML = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
} else {
costRow.style.display = 'none';
}
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
Guide to American Asphalt Calculations
Calculating the correct amount of asphalt is critical for any paving project, whether it is a residential driveway, a parking lot, or a municipal roadway. In the United States, asphalt is bought and sold by the "short ton" (2,000 lbs). This calculator is designed specifically for US customary units to ensure your material orders are accurate.
The Standard Asphalt Formula
To determine how many tons of asphalt you need, you must first calculate the volume of the space you are paving and then apply the specific density of the Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA). The formula used by this calculator is:
Step 1: Calculate Area ($Length \times Width$ in feet).
Step 2: Convert Thickness to feet (Inches $\div$ 12).
Step 3: Calculate Volume ($Area \times Thickness$ in feet).
Step 5: Convert to Tons (Weight in lbs $\div$ 2000).
Understanding Asphalt Density
Density is the weight of the asphalt per unit of volume. In the United States, the standard density for hot mix asphalt is generally accepted to be 148 lbs per cubic foot (lbs/ft³), though it can range between 145 and 150 lbs depending on the aggregate mix.
If your supplier provides a specific density for their mix (often found on the submittal sheet), you should adjust the "Asphalt Density" field in the calculator above for the most precise estimate.
Recommended Thickness Guidelines
The thickness of your asphalt layer depends heavily on the intended use of the surface:
Resurfacing / Overlay: 1.5 to 2 inches. Used when applying a new layer over existing good-condition pavement.
Residential Driveways: 2 to 3 inches. Sufficient for passenger vehicles and light trucks.
Commercial Parking Lots: 3 to 4 inches. Required for higher traffic volumes.
Heavy Duty / Industrial: 4 to 6+ inches. Necessary for loading docks or areas handling heavy machinery and delivery trucks.
Tips for Accurate Estimation
When ordering asphalt, it is industry standard to order slightly more than the exact calculated amount to account for waste, uneven subgrades, and compassion. Most contractors recommend adding a 5% to 10% overage buffer to your total tonnage to prevent running short before the job is finished.