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. It is identical to the number our asphalt area calculator returns — same math, different search term — and it is the input the asphalt tonnage calculator needs to turn dimensions into an order.
The formula
Square footage = Length (ft) × Width (ft)
Net area = Sum of sections − Areas not paved
Square yards = Square feet ÷ 9 Square meters = Square feet × 0.0929
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 — converting the total for a supplier quote
- Net square footage:
- 5,775 sq ft
- To square yards: 5,775 ÷ 9 = 641.67 sq yd
- To square meters: 5,775 × 0.0929 = 536.5 m²
Area: 641.67 sq yd (536.5 m²)
A sealcoat or spread-rate quote given per square yard uses the 641.67 figure, not the square-foot total.
Reference data
| 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 |
| 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 — 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 driveway calculator or the asphalt parking lot calculator for tonnage.
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.
How many square feet are in a square yard?+
There are 9 square feet in one square yard, because a square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft. Divide square footage by 9 to get square yards, which is how many asphalt and sealcoat suppliers quote coverage.
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 for a supplier?+
Divide the square footage by 9. So 5,775 sq ft is 5,775 ÷ 9 = 641.67 square yards. Suppliers who quote a spread rate in pounds per square yard need this figure rather than square feet.
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.
Related Asphalt Tools
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Asphalt Weight CalculatorConvert asphalt volume to tons using standard density.
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.