How this calculator works
Square footage is area in feet, so the calculation is length × width for a plain rectangle. Real driveways and lots rarely are one rectangle, so the calculator lets you add a section per rectangle and keeps a running total — the standard way to measure a complex shape without geometry. Subtract anything you are not paving to get the net area.
Square footage is where a paving estimate begins, and it is the input the asphalt tonnage calculator needs to turn dimensions into an order. Area in feet is reported in square feet, with square yards and square meters shown beside it.
The formula
Example: a 100 ft × 60 ft lot is 6,000 sq ft; subtract a 15 ft × 15 ft island (225 sq ft) for 5,775 sq ft net, or 641.7 sq yd. A square yard is 9 sq ft, and one foot is exactly 0.3048 m, so 1 sq ft = 0.0929 m².
Worked examples
Example 1 — a parking lot with a landscaped island
- Lot:
- 100 ft × 60 ft
- Island (not paved):
- 15 ft × 15 ft
- Lot area: 100 ft × 60 ft = 6,000 sq ft
- Island area: 15 ft × 15 ft = 225 sq ft
- Subtract the island: 6,000 − 225 = 5,775 sq ft
Net square footage: 5,775 sq ft
Only pay for the surface that will be asphalt — subtract islands, existing slabs and planters before ordering.
Example 2 — an L-shaped driveway in two sections
- Section 1 (main run):
- 50 ft × 12 ft
- Section 2 (parking pad):
- 20 ft × 20 ft
- Sum the sections: 600 + 400 = 1,000 sq ft
- To square yards: 1,000 ÷ 9 = 111.11 sq yd
- To square meters: 1,000 × 0.0929 = 92.90 m²
Total area: 1,000 sq ft (111.11 sq yd, 92.90 m²)
Split an L or T shape into rectangles that do not overlap, so no corner is counted twice.
Area unit conversions
| Square feet | Square yards | Square meters |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 11.11 sq yd | 9.29 m² |
| 500 sq ft | 55.56 sq yd | 46.45 m² |
| 1,000 sq ft | 111.11 sq yd | 92.90 m² |
| 2,000 sq ft | 222.22 sq yd | 185.81 m² |
| 5,000 sq ft | 555.56 sq yd | 464.52 m² |
What each area needs in asphalt (at 145 lb/ft³)
| Area | Tons at 2 in | Tons at 3 in |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 6.04 tons | 9.06 tons |
| 1,000 sq ft | 12.08 tons | 18.13 tons |
| 2,000 sq ft | 24.17 tons | 36.25 tons |
Key facts
- Square footage equals length times width in feet; sum the sections for a complex shape and subtract any area not being paved.
- There are 9 square feet in one square yard, so square yards equal square footage divided by 9.
- One square foot is 0.0929 square meters, because one foot is exactly 0.3048 meters.
- At 145 lb/ft³, 1,000 square feet of asphalt at 2 inches needs about 12 US tons before waste.
Who should use this and when
Use this whenever an estimate or a supplier asks for square footage or paved area — the most common way paving, sealcoating and striping are priced. Homeowners size a driveway or court; property managers measure a lot to compare bids. Because every downstream quantity is built on this number, the multi-section total is worth getting right. When you also know the thickness, carry the square footage into the asphalt tonnage calculator for tonnage; its Driveway and Parking lot presets fill in a starting thickness.
Tips and common pitfalls
- Subtract what you are not paving. Islands, planters and existing slabs inflate the total and the bill if you leave them in.
- Add sections rather than averaging. Two rectangles summed beats one guessed "average" length and width for an irregular shape.
- Divide by 9 for square yards. The most common conversion mistake is dividing by 3; a square yard is 9 square feet.
- Square footage is not the order. It is the base — add thickness and density to reach the tonnage a supplier actually delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate square footage for an asphalt project?
Multiply length by width in feet for each rectangular section and add the sections together. For a plain rectangle, that single product is your square footage. For a complex lot, sum the rectangles and subtract any area you are not paving.
Why do I need the square footage before paving?
Square footage is the base measurement for every paving quantity: asphalt tonnage, sealcoat, striping and aggregate base are all priced from it. Getting the square footage right is the first step toward an accurate estimate and an order that is not short.
Is asphalt area the same as square footage?
Yes. Area measured in feet is reported in square feet, which is what people call square footage. The calculator also shows the total in square yards and square meters.
How do I subtract areas I am not paving from the total?
Calculate the full rectangle, then calculate each area you will leave unpaved — a landscaped island, an existing slab — and subtract them. A 6,000 sq ft lot with a 225 sq ft island is 5,775 sq ft of asphalt.
How do I convert square footage to square yards or square meters?
A square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft, so divide square feet by 9: 5,775 sq ft is 641.67 square yards, the unit suppliers use for spread rates. For square meters, multiply by 0.0929 (one foot is exactly 0.3048 m): 5,775 sq ft is 536.5 m².
How much asphalt does 1,000 square feet need?
At the standard 145 lb/ft³, 1,000 square feet needs about 6 US tons per inch of compacted thickness — roughly 12 tons at 2 inches and 18 tons at 3 inches, before adding 5–10% for waste.
More asphalt calculators
Estimates & Assumptions
- Square footage is computed as length × width per rectangular section, summed into a total.
- Unit conversions are exact: square yards = square feet ÷ 9, and 1 sq ft = 0.0929 m² (1 ft = 0.3048 m, NIST SP 811).
- Tonnage figures shown for context use 145 lb/ft³ and exclude waste; confirm your mix density before ordering.
- This tool measures flat plan area only; it does not account for slope, thickness, or base preparation.
Estimates are for planning only. Verify site measurements before ordering material.