How this calculator works
Weight is volume times density. The calculator takes a volume in cubic feet, cubic yards or cubic meters, converts it to cubic feet, multiplies by the density, and divides by 2,000 to report US short tons alongside pounds. Change the density and the weight moves with it — that is the one input that matters most once the volume is fixed.
If you have dimensions rather than a volume, start at the asphalt volume calculator to get cubic yards, or go straight from area and thickness to tons with the asphalt tonnage calculator.
The formula
Weight (lb) = Volume (cu ft) × Density (lb/ft³)
Weight (US tons) = Weight (lb) ÷ 2,000
1 cu yd = 27 cu ft 1 cu m = 35.31 cu ft
Example: 10 cu yd × 27 = 270 cu ft; × 145 lb/ft³ = 39,150 lb; ÷ 2,000 = 19.58 tons. The 1.96 tons-per-cubic-yard rule of thumb is just 27 × 145 ÷ 2,000.
Worked examples
Example 1 — 10 cubic yards to 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
Round up to the supplier's minimum load before ordering.
Example 2 — reversing a 12 ton order into volume
- Target weight:
- 12 US tons
- Mix density:
- 145 lb/ft³
- Tons to pounds: 12 tons × 2,000 = 24,000 lb
- Pounds to cubic feet: 24,000 lb ÷ 145 lb/ft³ = 165.5 cu ft
- Convert to cubic yards: 165.5 ÷ 27 = 6.13 cu yd
Volume: about 6.1 cubic yards
Useful for checking whether a quoted tonnage matches the volume the site actually needs.
Reference data
| 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 |
| 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 weight in pounds equals volume in cubic feet times density in pounds per cubic foot; divide by 2,000 for US tons.
- One cubic yard of compacted asphalt weighs about 3,915 pounds, or 1.96 US tons, at 145 lb/ft³.
- One cubic meter of compacted asphalt weighs about 2.56 US tons (2.32 metric tonnes) at 145 lb/ft³.
- The Asphalt Institute gives in-place asphalt unit weight as 142–148 lb/ft³; this site defaults to 145.
Who should use this and when
Use this whenever you have a volume but need a weight — the unit suppliers actually bill in. Estimators use it to turn a cubic-yard takeoff into an order; homeowners use it to sanity-check a contractor's tonnage against the volume their driveway implies. It also runs in reverse, so a quoted tonnage can be checked back against volume. If your supplier states density in kg/m³, convert it first with the asphalt density calculator, then return here.
Tips and common pitfalls
- Match the density to the mix. Weight scales directly with density, so a wrong density is a wrong order. Stay inside 142–148 lb/ft³ unless your supplier specifies otherwise.
- US tons, not metric tonnes. This tool divides by 2,000 lb (US short ton). A metric tonne is 2,205 lb, about 10% heavier.
- Convert volume units before weighing. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet; skipping that step understates weight by a factor of 27.
- Weight excludes waste. This is the in-place weight; add a 5–10% allowance separately when you place the order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate asphalt weight from volume?+
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. Convert cubic yards to cubic feet first by multiplying by 27.
How many tons is one cubic yard of asphalt?+
At 145 lb/ft³, one cubic yard (27 cubic feet) weighs about 3,915 pounds, or roughly 1.96 US tons. Multiplying cubic yards by 1.96 is a fast way to estimate tonnage from a volume.
What is the standard density of asphalt?+
Standard hot mix asphalt is about 145 lb/ft³ (roughly 2,323 kg/m³). The Asphalt Institute gives an in-place range of 142–148 lb/ft³, so 145 is a reasonable planning default. The exact value depends on the mix design.
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). Metric projects often quote tonnes, where one tonne is 1,000 kilograms.
How do I convert asphalt tons back into cubic yards?+
Reverse the formula: multiply tons by 2,000 for pounds, divide by the density for cubic feet, then divide by 27. At 145 lb/ft³, 12 tons is 24,000 ÷ 145 ÷ 27 = about 6.1 cubic yards.
Why do asphalt suppliers sell by weight instead of volume?+
Trucks are weighed at the plant scale, so weight is the measured, billable quantity. Volume is useful for planning and for sizing the aggregate base, but the order and the invoice are almost always in tons.
Related Asphalt Tools
Calculate asphalt volume in cubic yards, feet, or meters.
Asphalt Tonnage CalculatorCalculate required hot mix asphalt tonnage for any paving project.
Asphalt Density CalculatorConvert asphalt density between lb/ft³ and kg/m³.
Asphalt Pounds to Tons CalculatorConvert pounds to decimal short tons.
Asphalt Square Footage CalculatorCalculate total project area. Sum multiple rectangular sections.
Asphalt Area CalculatorCalculate the total area of your paving project.
Estimates & assumptions
- Weight is computed as volume (cu ft) × density ÷ 2,000, reported in US short tons of 2,000 lb.
- 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 density.
- Metric conversions use 1 cu m = 35.31 cu ft and 1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³ (NIST SP 811).
- This tool converts volume to weight only; it excludes waste and does not perform pavement structural design.
Estimates are for planning only. Confirm density and quantities against the project specification before ordering material.