How this calculator works
The tool works in two ways. From Dimensions, it treats the paved area as a flat rectangular slab, multiplies length by width by thickness to get a raw volume, adds your waste percentage, and converts the result into ordering units — cubic yards in US mode (dividing cubic feet by 27) or cubic meters in metric mode — with an estimated weight at the density you enter. From A volume, you skip the dimensions: enter a volume in cubic yards, cubic feet or cubic meters plus a density in lb/ft³ or kg/m³, and it returns the weight in US tons, pounds and metric tonnes.
Volume is the middle step between area and tonnage. Measure the area first with the asphalt square footage calculator, then, once you have cubic yards, convert to order weight with the asphalt tonnage calculator.
The formula
Example: 50 ft × 10 ft × (2 in ÷ 12) = 83.33 cu ft; ÷ 27 = 3.09 cu yd. One cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet (3 × 3 × 3), and about 0.765 cubic meters; one cubic meter is about 35.31 cubic feet. The 1.96 tons-per-cubic-yard rule of thumb is just 27 × 145 ÷ 2,000.
Worked examples
Example 1 — a 50 ft × 10 ft driveway, 2 inch overlay, 7% waste
- Area:
- 50 ft × 10 ft = 500 sq ft
- Thickness:
- 2 in
- Waste:
- 7%
- Convert thickness: 2 in ÷ 12 = 0.167 ft
- Raw volume: 500 sq ft × 0.167 ft = 83.33 cu ft
- Add 7% waste: 83.33 × 1.07 = 89.17 cu ft
- Convert to cubic yards: 89.17 ÷ 27 = 3.30 cu yd
Volume to order: 3.30 cubic yards
Suppliers usually deliver by weight, so convert this to tons — 3.30 cu yd × 1.96 ≈ 6.5 tons — before placing the order.
Example 2 — turning 10 cubic yards into tons
- Volume:
- 10 cu yd
- Mix density:
- 145 lb/ft³
- Cubic yards to cubic feet: 10 yd³ × 27 = 270 cu ft
- Weight in pounds: 270 cu ft × 145 lb/ft³ = 39,150 lb
- Convert to tons: 39,150 lb ÷ 2,000 = 19.58 tons
Weight: 19.58 US tons
The 1.96 tons-per-cubic-yard shortcut comes straight from this: 27 × 145 ÷ 2,000 = 1.96.
Asphalt quantity per 1,000 sq ft by compacted thickness (at 145 lb/ft³)
| Compacted thickness | Volume (cu yd) | Weight (US tons) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 4.63 cu yd | 9.06 tons |
| 2 in | 6.17 cu yd | 12.08 tons |
| 2.5 in | 7.72 cu yd | 15.10 tons |
| 3 in | 9.26 cu yd | 18.13 tons |
| 4 in | 12.35 cu yd | 24.17 tons |
Weight of compacted asphalt by volume (at 145 lb/ft³)
| Volume | Weight (lb) | Weight (US tons) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 cubic foot | 145 lb | 0.073 tons |
| 1 cubic yard | 3,915 lb | 1.96 tons |
| 5 cubic yards | 19,575 lb | 9.79 tons |
| 10 cubic yards | 39,150 lb | 19.58 tons |
| 1 cubic meter | 5,121 lb | 2.56 tons |
Standard hot mix asphalt density
| Density (lb/ft³) | Density (kg/m³) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 142 lb/ft³ | 2,275 kg/m³ | Low end of the in-place range |
| 145 lb/ft³ | 2,323 kg/m³ | OtherCalculators default |
| 148 lb/ft³ | 2,371 kg/m³ | Asphalt Institute “Use 148 PCF” |
Key facts
- Asphalt volume in cubic yards equals length times width times thickness in feet, divided by 27.
- One cubic yard is exactly 27 cubic feet and about 0.765 cubic meters.
- One cubic yard of compacted asphalt weighs roughly 1.96 US tons at 145 lb/ft³, and one cubic meter weighs about 2.56 US tons (2.32 metric tonnes).
- At 145 lb/ft³, 1,000 square feet of asphalt at 2 inches is about 6.17 cubic yards.
Who should use this and when
Reach for volume when planning starts from dimensions but a spec, a base layer or a delivery is quoted in cubic yards or cubic meters. Estimators use the A volume mode to turn a cubic-yard takeoff into an order, and homeowners use it to sanity-check a contractor's tonnage against the volume their driveway implies. To work backwards from a quoted tonnage, use the asphalt tons to cubic yards calculator, and see the density reference on the asphalt tonnage calculator for the density table and conversion factors.
Tips and common pitfalls
- Divide by 27, not by 9. Twenty-seven converts cubic feet to cubic yards; nine converts square feet to square yards. Mixing them up is a frequent slip.
- Keep thickness in feet. A 2 inch layer is 0.167 ft, not 2 — enter inches only where the calculator asks for inches.
- Volume is not the order. Suppliers deliver tons; convert before buying so you are not guessing at the truck.
- US tons, not metric tonnes. US mode divides by 2,000 lb (a US short ton). A metric tonne is about 2,205 lb, roughly 10% heavier.
- Add waste to volume, then convert. Applying the 5–10% buffer to the raw volume keeps it consistent whether you order by cubic yard or by ton.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many cubic yards of asphalt do I need?
Multiply length, width and thickness in feet, then divide by 27. A 50 ft × 10 ft area at 2 inches (0.167 ft) is 50 × 10 × 0.167 ÷ 27 = 3.09 cubic yards before waste. Add 5–10% for compaction and edges.
How do I convert cubic feet of asphalt to cubic yards?
Divide cubic feet by 27, because one cubic yard is 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft = 27 cubic feet. So 270 cubic feet is 270 ÷ 27 = 10 cubic yards. This is an exact geometric conversion, not an estimate.
Why should I add a waste percentage to the volume?
Waste accounts for compaction loss, uneven subgrade and material lost at edges and joints. A 5–10% safety factor is standard: larger, simple rectangles need less, small jobs with many edges need more. It is a planning allowance, not a guaranteed figure.
How do I convert asphalt volume to weight in tons?
Multiply the volume in cubic feet by the density, then divide by 2,000 for US tons. At 145 lb/ft³, 270 cubic feet weighs 270 × 145 = 39,150 pounds, or 19.58 tons. One cubic yard (27 cubic feet) weighs about 3,915 pounds, roughly 1.96 US tons, so multiply cubic yards by about 1.96 for a quick estimate. In the calculator, choose A volume and enter the volume and its unit.
How many tons is one cubic meter of asphalt?
One cubic meter is about 35.31 cubic feet, so at 145 lb/ft³ it weighs roughly 5,121 pounds, or about 2.56 US tons (2.32 metric tonnes). One cubic yard equals about 0.765 cubic meters, and one cubic meter is about 1.308 cubic yards. Switch to Metric to enter meters and read cubic meters.
How accurate is the weight estimate?
It is an approximation. Real weight depends on the specific mix density and the degree of compaction, so the figure moves with the density you enter. Using a value inside the Asphalt Institute's 142–148 lb/ft³ range keeps it realistic; confirm with your supplier before ordering.
More asphalt calculators
Estimates & Assumptions
- Volume is computed as length × width × thickness with thickness converted to feet; cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27.
- The weight estimate uses the density you enter; 145 lb/ft³ is a planning convention inside the Asphalt Institute's 142–148 lb/ft³ range. Metric conversions use 1 cu m = 35.31 cu ft and 1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³ (NIST SP 811).
- Waste percentages are planning allowances for compaction and edges, not guaranteed figures.
- This tool models a simple rectangular slab and does not size the aggregate base or perform structural design.
Estimates are for planning only. Confirm quantities and density against the project specification before ordering material.