Quick answer: Hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, so one cubic yard is roughly 2 tons. Multiply length × width × thickness in feet, divide by 27 for cubic yards, then multiply by 2 for tons.
Convert square footage to tons of hot mix asphalt, cold patch, or recycled millings for driveways, paths, and parking pads.
Asphalt is sold by the ton, but you measure your driveway in square feet. The conversion runs through density: compacted hot mix asphalt weighs roughly 145 pounds per cubic foot (about 2 tons per cubic yard).
The formula: Length (ft) × Width (ft) × (Thickness in inches ÷ 12) × 145 ÷ 2,000 = Tons.
A quick shortcut used by paving crews: at 1 inch of compacted thickness, one ton of hot mix covers about 160 square feet. At the standard 3-inch driveway thickness, that drops to roughly 53 square feet per ton.
Deciding between asphalt and concrete? Read our full Asphalt vs. Concrete Driveway comparison before you get quotes.
Asphalt weighs about 2 tons per cubic yard compacted, so 100 sq ft at 3 inches thick takes roughly 1.5 tons. Most residential driveways are laid 2–3 inches over a compacted base; commercial work goes deeper.
| Depth | Volume for 100 sq ft | Weight | Coverage of 1 cu yd |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 in | 0.62 cu yd | 1.2 tons | 162 sq ft per cu yd |
| 3 in | 0.93 cu yd | 1.9 tons | 108 sq ft per cu yd |
| 4 in | 1.23 cu yd | 2.5 tons | 81 sq ft per cu yd |
Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs about 2 tons (4,050 lbs) per cubic yard at 145 lb/ft³. Loose (uncompacted) mix is lighter, around 1.6–1.8 tons per cubic yard.
At 1 inch compacted thickness, about 160 sq ft. At 2 inches, 80 sq ft. At 3 inches (standard driveway), roughly 53 sq ft per ton.
Hot mix asphalt is not a DIY material — it arrives at 300°F and must be spread and rolled within minutes. DIY options are recycled millings or a gravel driveway. The gravel base prep, however, is very DIY-able and can cut your contractor quote.
Yes, upfront. Asphalt runs $5–$8 per square foot installed vs. $8–$12 for concrete. Concrete lasts longer and needs less maintenance, so lifetime costs are closer than they look. See our full comparison.
6 to 8 inches of compacted crushed stone for a residential driveway. Use our Gravel Calculator to size the base layer.
Planning a driveway or paving project? These tools pair well with the asphalt calculator:
Comparing materials or budgeting the project? Start here:
Every constant this calculator uses and where it comes from, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
Local codes amend the model IRC and adopt different cycles — your building department governs. Manufacturers revise yields; where your product's data sheet disagrees with a default here, use the product's number. See our full methodology.