.asphalt-calculator-container {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
background: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
}
.ac-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.ac-header h2 {
margin: 0;
color: #333;
font-size: 28px;
}
.ac-header p {
color: #666;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.ac-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.ac-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.ac-input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.ac-input-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #444;
}
.ac-input-group input, .ac-input-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.ac-input-group .unit {
font-size: 0.85em;
color: #888;
margin-top: 2px;
display: block;
}
.ac-btn-container {
text-align: center;
margin-top: 20px;
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
.ac-btn {
background-color: #2c3e50;
color: white;
padding: 12px 30px;
border: none;
border-radius: 5px;
font-size: 18px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.ac-btn:hover {
background-color: #1a252f;
}
.ac-results {
margin-top: 30px;
background: white;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
border-left: 5px solid #2c3e50;
display: none;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.ac-result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.ac-result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.ac-result-label {
font-weight: 600;
color: #555;
}
.ac-result-value {
font-weight: 700;
color: #2c3e50;
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.ac-content {
margin-top: 50px;
padding-top: 30px;
border-top: 2px solid #eee;
}
.ac-content h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 25px;
}
.ac-content ul {
padding-left: 20px;
}
.ac-content li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.ac-content p {
line-height: 1.6;
color: #444;
}
.highlight-box {
background: #eef2f5;
padding: 15px;
border-radius: 5px;
margin: 15px 0;
}
function calculateAsphalt() {
// Get inputs
var length = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ac-length').value);
var width = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ac-width').value);
var thickness = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ac-thickness').value);
var density = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ac-density').value);
var wastePercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ac-waste').value);
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ac-price').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(length) || isNaN(width) || isNaN(thickness) || length <= 0 || width <= 0 || thickness 0) {
totalCost = tonsTotal * price;
costDisplay = "$" + totalCost.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
}
// Display Results
document.getElementById('res-area').innerHTML = areaSqFt.toLocaleString() + " sq ft";
document.getElementById('res-volume').innerHTML = volumeCuYards.toFixed(2) + " cu yds";
document.getElementById('res-tonnage').innerHTML = tonsTotal.toFixed(2) + " Tons";
document.getElementById('res-cost').innerHTML = costDisplay;
// Show results container
document.getElementById('ac-results').style.display = "block";
}
Asphalt Tonnage Calculator
Calculate hot mix asphalt needs for driveways, parking lots, and roads.
Feet (ft)
Feet (ft)
Inches (in) – Standard is 2-4″
Lbs per Cubic Foot (Standard: 145-150)
0% (Exact)
5% (Recommended)
10% (Complex Shapes)
Account for grade irregularities
Material cost only ($)
Total Area:
0 sq ft
Total Volume:
0 cu yds
Required Asphalt:
0.00 Tons
Estimated Material Cost:
$-
How to Calculate Asphalt Tonnage
Calculating the amount of asphalt needed for a paving project requires determining the volume of the area to be paved and multiplying it by the specific density of the asphalt mix. This calculator simplifies the process by using standard density values for Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA).
The Formula
Formula: (Length × Width × Thickness × Density) ÷ 2,000 = Tons Needed
Here is the breakdown of the calculation steps:
- Calculate Area: Multiply Length (ft) by Width (ft) to get Square Footage.
- Calculate Volume: Convert the thickness from inches to feet (divide by 12), then multiply by the Area.
- Determine Weight: Multiply the volume (cubic feet) by the density of the asphalt. Standard asphalt density is approximately 145 to 150 lbs per cubic foot.
- Convert to Tons: Divide the total weight in pounds by 2,000 to get the result in tons.
Why Include a Safety Margin?
It is standard industry practice to add a safety margin (usually 5% to 10%) to your asphalt order. This accounts for:
- Subgrade Irregularities: The ground beneath the asphalt is rarely perfectly flat; dips require more material.
- Compaction: Asphalt compresses significantly when rolled. The calculation is based on compacted thickness, but loose mix takes up more space before compaction.
- Waste: Material lost during transit or at the edges of the paving equipment.
Common Asphalt Thickness Recommendations
The thickness of your pavement depends on the intended load:
- Residential Driveways: Typically 2 to 3 inches of compacted asphalt.
- Parking Lots (Light Duty): 3 to 4 inches.
- Heavy Duty / Commercial: 4 to 6 inches or more, often laid in multiple lifts (layers).
Example Calculation
Imagine you are paving a driveway that is 40 feet long and 10 feet wide, with a desired compacted thickness of 3 inches.
- Area: 40 × 10 = 400 sq ft.
- Volume: 3 inches ÷ 12 = 0.25 ft. 400 × 0.25 = 100 cubic ft.
- Weight: 100 cu ft × 145 lbs/cu ft = 14,500 lbs.
- Tonnage: 14,500 ÷ 2,000 = 7.25 Tons.
- With 5% Safety: 7.25 × 1.05 = 7.61 Tons.