Bulk hot-mix
Hot-mix asphalt and paving quotes
Hot-mix comes from a plant, not a store shelf. Use the tonnage to get supplier and paving contractor quotes by the ton.
Asphalt calculator
Asphalt paving calculator for tonnage and cubic yards.
Enter length, width, and depth to estimate hot-mix asphalt tonnage and cubic yards using the standard 145 lb/ft³ density. A 40 x 20 ft driveway at 3 inches needs about 15.2 tons.
40 x 20 at 3 in
15.22 tons
7.78 yd³
Density
145 lb/ft³
standard hot-mix
Coverage
~80 sq ft
per ton at 2 in
Quick reference
Asphalt tonnage for common driveway sizes
Hot-mix asphalt at 3 in compacted depth and 145 lb per cubic foot, including the default 5% waste.
| Driveway size | Area | Tons | Cubic yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 x 20 ft | 200 sq ft | 3.8 tons | 1.9 yd³ |
| 12 x 40 ft | 480 sq ft | 9.1 tons | 4.7 yd³ |
| 20 x 40 ft | 800 sq ft | 15.2 tons | 7.8 yd³ |
| 24 x 50 ft | 1,200 sq ft | 22.8 tons | 11.7 yd³ |
| 12 x 100 ft | 1,200 sq ft | 22.8 tons | 11.7 yd³ |
Depth is the compacted asphalt layer only. The gravel base underneath is separate.
Quick asphalt answers
Common driveway sizes at 3 inches
24 x 12 single driveway
288 sq ft
5.48 tons
hot-mix at 3 in deep
40 x 20 double driveway
800 sq ft
15.22 tons
hot-mix at 3 in deep
50 x 12 long driveway
600 sq ft
11.42 tons
hot-mix at 3 in deep
Don't forget the base
Asphalt sits on a compacted aggregate base. Estimate the base separately with the gravel calculator, and plan drainage before paving.
Shopping and quotes
Hot-mix, repair, and maintenance
Hot-mix comes from a plant by the ton. For repairs and upkeep, bagged cold patch and sealer are the store-shelf options.
DIY repair
Cold patch asphalt
For potholes and small patches, bagged cold patch is the DIY option. Confirm bag coverage against your area and depth.
Maintenance
Driveway sealer
Asphalt lasts longer with periodic sealing. Sealer is sold by the bucket with a coverage rating per gallon.
Tools
Tamper, rake, and squeegee
Compaction and spreading matter for a clean finish. A plate compactor, asphalt rake, and squeegee are common needs.
Formula shown
How the asphalt estimate works
1. Volume in cubic feet
cubic feet = length ft x width ft x (depth in / 12)
2. Convert to tons
tons = cubic feet x 145 lb/ft³ / 2000
3. Add waste
a small allowance (default 5%) covers compaction and trimming
Density varies
145 lb/ft³ is a standard planning value, but real density runs about 140 to 160 lb/ft³ depending on the mix and aggregate. For the final order, get the weighted density from your asphalt supplier.
Sources
- The Calculator Site asphalt density — standard hot-mix density 145 lb/ft³ and coverage
- NerdWallet asphalt vs concrete — asphalt driveway thickness and lifespan context
Sources checked
Checked against
Asphalt density, masonry counts, and installed-cost ranges checked against industry references and published cost guides.
How we check our numbersLast updated: June 25, 2026
Estimate only.
This calculator is not a quote. Verify product yield, price, delivery minimums, and local conditions with your supplier or contractor before buying materials.
Related
Keep planning
FAQ
Asphalt calculator questions
Tonnage, coverage per ton, driveway thickness, and converting tons to a price.
How much asphalt do I need? + -
Multiply area by depth for cubic feet, then convert by density. A 40 x 20 ft driveway at 3 inches needs about 15.2 tons of hot-mix using the standard 145 lb/ft³ density, including a small waste allowance.
How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover? + -
At standard hot-mix density, one ton covers roughly 80 square feet at 2 inches thick, or about 53 square feet at 3 inches. Coverage drops as depth increases.
How thick should an asphalt driveway be? + -
A residential asphalt driveway is commonly 2 to 3 inches of surface over a compacted aggregate base. Heavier use or poor soil may call for more. Confirm the spec with your paver and local conditions.
How do I convert asphalt tonnage to a price? + -
Hot-mix is sold by the ton from a plant, so multiply the tonnage by the delivered price per ton. This is material only — paving labor, base, and equipment are separate, which is why a paving quote is higher than the mix cost.