By Zencalcy Editorial TeamLast reviewed About us
Asphalt is sold by the ton, and the tonnage depends on compacted depth and mix density. A typical dense-graded surface mix is about 2,320 kg/m³ (145 lb/ft³), so a 2-inch lift over 1,000 square feet weighs roughly 12 tons.
Tons of asphalt for a driveway, lane or car park.
V = L × W × D W = V × ρ Cost = V × price
Depth is entered in inches. Bulk density is taken as 2,320 kg/m³ (dense-graded hot mix asphalt); real material varies with moisture and compaction, so treat the total as an estimate and add 5–10% for settling.
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| L, W | Length and width of the area being covered. |
| D | Spread depth of the material. |
| V | Volume in cubic yards (and cubic metres). |
| ρ | Bulk density of the material. |
| W | Total weight, shown in pounds and US tons. |
800 sq ft at 2 inches is 133 cu ft, or 4.94 cu yd. At 2,320 kg/m³ that is about 8,760 kg, or 9.7 US tons.
Continue with the Crushed Stone Calculator, Gravel Driveway Calculator, Road Base Calculator, or the Concrete Driveway Cost Calculator — or browse more driveways & paving and all construction calculators.
About 0.0126 tons per square foot per inch of compacted depth, so a 2-inch lift is roughly 0.025 tons per square foot.
Results use standard construction estimating arithmetic: volumes from measured area and depth, unit weights from published material densities, and code-referenced spans or clearances where the page names a code. Quantities are rounded up to whole saleable units and include the stated waste allowance. These tools are planning aids, not structural design, and do not replace a licensed engineer, a local code check, or a contractor's site measurement.
Reference material used to build and check this calculator:
Last reviewed: September 2026. See how we build and check every tool on the about page.
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Content updated: September 2026