Asphalt Calculator
Estimate tonnes of asphalt (tarmac) for a driveway or path, and the cost.
About the Asphalt Calculator
Enter the length and width of the area, the compacted thickness, the asphalt density and the price per tonne. The calculator gives the tonnes needed, the volume, the US tons and the cost.
Multiply area by compacted thickness for volume, then by density: hot-mix asphalt weighs about 2.3–2.4 tonnes per m³ when compacted (about 145 lb/ft³). Residential driveways are commonly 5–8 cm (2–3 in) of asphalt on a compacted aggregate base.
The formula
Tonnes = length × width × depth × density
Worked example
A 15 × 4 m driveway, 5 cm thick
- Volume: 15 × 4 × 0.05 = 3 m³
- Weight: 3 × 2.4 = 7.2 tonnes (7.94 US tons)
- At 110 a tonne: about 792, plus 5–10% for waste
Things to keep in mind
- The aggregate base, edging and labour are priced separately.
Questions people ask
How thick should a driveway be?
Typically 2–3 in (5–8 cm) of asphalt over 4–8 in of base.
Tons vs tonnes?
A US ton is 2,000 lb (0.907 t).
How much does a tonne cover?
About 8 m² at 5 cm thick (1 ÷ (0.05 × 2.4)).