How this calculator works
The converter takes two inputs — a volume in cubic yards and a mix density in pounds per cubic foot — and returns the weight in US short tons, the unit an asphalt plant actually bills in. Site plans and excavation quantities are almost always in cubic yards, so this is the step that turns a design figure into an order. If you have surface dimensions rather than a volume, start with the asphalt volume calculator to get cubic yards first, or go straight to tons with the asphalt tonnage calculator.
The formula
Tons = Cubic yards × 27 × Density (lb/ft³) ÷ 2,000
One cubic yard = 27 cubic feet (exact)
Substitution: at the 145 lb/ft³ default, 10 cu yd × 27 = 270 cu ft; 270 × 145 = 39,150 lb; 39,150 ÷ 2,000 = 19.58 tons. The 27 is exact because a yard is exactly three feet, so a cubic yard is 3³ = 27 cubic feet. Only the density is an assumption — change it if your supplier quotes a different unit weight.
Worked examples
Example 1 — a 10 cubic yard order at standard density
- Volume:
- 10 cubic yards
- Mix density:
- 145 lb/ft³ (hot mix)
- To cubic feet: 10 × 27 = 270 cu ft
- To pounds: 270 × 145 = 39,150 lb
- To tons: 39,150 ÷ 2,000 = 19.58 tons
Order weight: ≈ 19.58 US tons
Add a waste allowance on top of this before placing the order — trimming, spillage and compaction variance are not in the conversion.
Example 2 — a single cubic yard
- Volume:
- 1 cubic yard
- Mix density:
- 145 lb/ft³
- To pounds: 1 × 27 × 145 = 3,915 lb
- To tons: 3,915 ÷ 2,000 = 1.96 tons
Weight of one cubic yard: ≈ 1.96 US tons
This is why the field shorthand 'about two tons a yard' works — it is 1.96 tons rounded up.
Reference data
| Quantity | Equivalent | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| In-place unit weight | 142–148 lb/ft³ | Asphalt Institute; site default 145 |
| 1 cubic yard | 3,915 lb = 1.96 tons | 27 ft³ × 145 lb/ft³ |
| 1 US short ton | 13.79 ft³ = 0.51 cubic yards | 2,000 lb ÷ 145 lb/ft³ |
| 1 ton at 2 in thick | ≈ 82 sq ft coverage | 13.79 ft³ ÷ 0.167 ft |
| 1,000 sq ft at 2 in | ≈ 12.08 tons | 1,000 × 0.167 × 145 ÷ 2,000 |
| 1 in over 1,000 sq ft | ≈ 6.04 tons | 1,000 × 0.083 × 145 ÷ 2,000 |
Key facts
- One cubic yard of compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 3,915 lb, or roughly 1.96 US short tons, at 145 lb/ft³.
- The Asphalt Institute gives in-place asphalt mixture unit weight as 142–148 lb/ft³; this calculator defaults to 145 lb/ft³.
- Ten cubic yards of asphalt weighs about 19.58 US tons at standard hot-mix density.
- A cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet, because a yard is exactly three feet and 3³ = 27.
Who should use this and when
Anyone whose plan is in cubic yards but whose invoice will be in tons needs this step. Estimators use it to price a takeoff against a plant's per-ton rate; site supervisors use it to work out how many truckloads a design volume becomes; and homeowners use it to sanity-check a contractor's quote. Once you have the tonnage, the asphalt per ton cost calculator turns it into a material budget, and the reverse conversion lives on the tons to cubic yards calculator.
Tips and common pitfalls
- Don't skip the ×27. Cubic yards must become cubic feet before density (in lb/ft³) applies. Multiplying yards by density directly understates the weight 27-fold.
- Use the compacted volume. Enter the target in-place volume, not loose truck volume — loose mix occupies more space but weighs the same.
- Confirm the density with your supplier. The asphalt density calculator converts a kg/m³ figure into the lb/ft³ this formula expects.
- Add waste after converting, not before. Convert to the theoretical tonnage first, then add a 5–10% allowance for trimming and irregular edges.
Common Questions
How do I convert cubic yards to asphalt tons?+
Multiply the cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, multiply that by the mix density (145 lb/ft³ for standard hot mix), then divide by 2,000. So 10 cubic yards is 10 × 27 × 145 ÷ 2,000 ≈ 19.58 tons.
How much does one cubic yard of asphalt weigh?+
At 145 lb per cubic foot, one cubic yard of compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 3,915 lb, which is roughly 1.96 US short tons. A cubic yard is 27 cubic feet, so 27 × 145 = 3,915 lb.
How many tons is 10 cubic yards of asphalt?+
About 19.58 US tons at the standard 145 lb/ft³ hot-mix density. Because one cubic yard is close to 2 tons, a quick field estimate is roughly two tons per cubic yard.
What density should I use for hot-mix asphalt?+
The Asphalt Institute puts in-place asphalt mixture at 142–148 lb/ft³, and this calculator defaults to 145 lb/ft³. Ask your supplier for the compacted unit weight of your specific mix if you need a tighter estimate, and enter it in the density field.
Why is asphalt ordered by the ton instead of by volume?+
Asphalt plants weigh every loaded truck and bill by the short ton, while site plans and excavation are measured in cubic yards. Converting yards to tons before you order is what keeps your delivery from coming up short or long.
How many tons fit on an asphalt truck?+
A standard dump truck typically hauls around 12–14 tons and a tri-axle up to roughly 20 tons, so a tri-axle load is close to 10 cubic yards of asphalt. Capacities vary by truck and local road limits — confirm with your hauler.
Related Asphalt Tools
Convert asphalt weight to volumetric yards.
Asphalt Volume CalculatorCalculate asphalt volume in cubic yards, feet, or meters.
Asphalt Tonnage CalculatorCalculate required hot mix asphalt tonnage for any paving project.
Asphalt Weight CalculatorConvert asphalt volume to tons using standard density.
Asphalt Square Footage CalculatorCalculate total project area. Sum multiple rectangular sections.
Asphalt Area CalculatorCalculate the total area of your paving project.
Estimates & assumptions
- The conversion uses Tons = cubic yards × 27 × density ÷ 2,000, with density defaulting to 145 lb/ft³.
- The 145 lb/ft³ default is a planning convention inside the Asphalt Institute's 142–148 lb/ft³ in-place range. Ask your supplier for your specific mix.
- Truck-capacity figures are typical ranges, not a standard; actual payloads depend on the truck and local road-weight limits.
- Results exclude a waste or compaction allowance and do not perform pavement structural design.
Estimates are for planning only. Confirm quantities and mix density against your supplier and project specification before ordering.