onlinecalculator.me

Free online asphalt calculator

An asphalt calculator converts your driveway or paving dimensions into tons of hot mix or bags of cold patch. It accounts for the compaction factor so you order the right loose.

About this calculator

How to use

  1. Enter the length and width of the area in feet.
  2. Set the desired finished depth in inches (2–3 in for residential driveways).
  3. Enter the compaction factor (20% is standard for hot mix).
  4. Choose hot mix or cold patch.
  5. Read tonnage, volume, and truckload count.

Formulas

area (sq ft)       = length × width

volume (loose, cu ft) = length × width × (depth / 12) × (1 + compactionFactor / 100)
volume (cu yd)     = volume (cu ft) / 27

tonnage            = volume (cu ft) × 145 lb/cu ft / 2000

truckloads         = tonnage / 10

cold patch bags    = area × depth  (bags per sq ft at 1-in depth)

Worked example

50 ft × 12 ft driveway, 3-in depth, 20% compaction, hot mix:

area               = 50 × 12 = 600 sq ft

volume (loose)     = 50 × 12 × (3/12) × 1.20
                   = 600 × 0.25 × 1.20
                   = 180 cu ft

volume (cu yd)     = 180 / 27 ≈ 6.67 cu yd

tonnage            = 180 × 145 / 2000
                   = 26,100 / 2,000
                   = 13.05 tons

truckloads         = 13.05 / 10 = 1.31 → order 2 truckloads

Notes

  • Always add at least one partial truckload to your order to avoid running short on-site. Asphalt cools quickly and cannot be reheated.
  • Hot mix asphalt has a short working window — typically 30–45 minutes at standard ambient temperatures. Have equipment and crew ready before the truck arrives.
  • Get a gravel base quote before ordering asphalt; the subbase is as important as the surface course.

Frequently asked

How much does asphalt weigh per cubic foot?
Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs approximately 145 lb per cubic foot (about 2,322 kg/m³). This is the standard density used by the Asphalt Institute for pavement design.
What is a compaction factor and why does it matter?
Asphalt is placed loose and then compacted by a roller, reducing its volume by roughly 15–25%. A 20% compaction factor means you need to place 1.20 cubic feet of loose material to end up with 1 compacted cubic foot at the target depth. The calculator applies this factor automatically.
How deep should a residential driveway be?
A residential driveway typically uses 2–3 inches of compacted hot mix over a 4–6 inch compacted gravel base. The calculator defaults to 3 inches, which is a common residential specification.
How many tons of asphalt fit on a truck?
A standard tandem-axle dump truck carries about 10 tons of hot mix asphalt. Larger tri-axle trucks can carry 12–15 tons. The calculator uses 10 tons per truckload as a conservative default.
When should I use cold patch instead of hot mix?
Cold patch asphalt (pre-mixed in bags) is for small repairs — potholes, cracks, and utility cuts. It does not compact as well as hot mix and is not suitable for new driveway construction. Hot mix must be ordered from an asphalt plant and delivered hot.
How do I share my asphalt calculation?
Click Share to copy the page link, or Share with my numbers to encode your dimensions in the URL.