Asphalt Calculator

Use this asphalt calculator to estimate how much asphalt (tarmac) in volume (cu ft, cubic yards or cubic meters) and weight (tons or tonnes) you would need for a driveway, school yard, pavement, road, etc. The calculator uses conventional hot mix asphalt density.

Unit system

Imperial (in, ft, yd, lbs, tons) Metric (cm, m, kg, tonnes)

Width

Length

Depth

Price per ton

✓ Calculation results

Hotmix Asphalt required

0.444 cubic yards (12 ft³)

Asphalt weight

0.87 tons (1,740 lbs)

Asphalt Calculator Guide: From Planning to Application (2024)

Reference Values Table (Expanded)

Standard Asphalt Densities & Applications

Type	Density (lbs/ft³)	Density (kg/m³)	Best Uses	Temperature Range
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)	145	2322	Highways, Roads	300-350°F
Warm Mix Asphalt	140-143	2242-2290	Night Work, Off-Season	200-250°F
Driveway Mix	135-140	2162-2242	Residential	275-300°F
Porous Asphalt	130-135	2082-2162	Drainage Areas	250-300°F

Project Requirements by Type

Project Type	Base Thickness	Surface Thickness	Coverage per Ton	Base Material
Residential Driveway	4-6″	2-3″	~80 sq ft @ 3″	Crushed stone
Small Parking Lot	6-8″	3-4″	~60 sq ft @ 4″	Graded aggregate
Commercial Lot	8-10″	4-5″	~50 sq ft @ 5″	Engineered fill
Highway Surface	10-12″	4-6″	~40 sq ft @ 6″	Compacted base

Temperature Impact on Installation

Ambient Temperature	Working Time	Compaction Window	Notes
Below 50°F	15-20 min	10-15 min	Not recommended
50-70°F	25-30 min	15-20 min	Good conditions
70-90°F	30-40 min	20-25 min	Ideal conditions
Above 90°F	40-50 min	25-30 min	Watch for shoving

Asphalt Calculator Usage Guide

Precise Measurement Techniques

Length Measurement
- Use straight line measurements
- Account for curves using segmentation
- Mark measurement points clearly
- Double-check all dimensions
Width Considerations
- Include edge allowances
- Account for drainage slopes
- Consider crown requirements
- Add flare areas
Depth Planning
- Check local code requirements
- Consider traffic load
- Account for soil conditions
- Plan for drainage grade

Detailed Project Planning

Site Evaluation

Soil Assessment
- Check soil type
- Test compaction rates
- Evaluate drainage patterns
- Identify problem areas
Access Evaluation
- Delivery truck requirements
- Equipment access routes
- Material staging areas
- Safety considerations
Utility Considerations
- Mark underground utilities
- Plan for manholes/covers
- Consider drainage structures
- Account for expansion joints

Material Selection Guide

Hot Mix Asphalt

Advantages
- Most durable
- Best compaction
- Longest lifespan
- Highest strength
Best Applications
- Heavy traffic areas
- Commercial projects
- Municipal roads
- Long-term installations

Warm Mix Asphalt

Advantages
- Lower energy costs
- Extended working time
- Better workability
- Reduced emissions
Best Applications
- Night work
- Cool weather installation
- Remote locations
- Environmental zones

Advanced Calculation Techniques

Complex Area Calculations

Circular Areas

Area = π × radius² Volume = Area × depth
Irregular Shapes
- Break into geometric sections
- Calculate each section
- Add 10% for transitions
- Include waste factor
Sloped Surfaces
- Calculate true surface area
- Account for grade changes
- Add material for transitions
- Consider drainage patterns

Compaction Factors

Material Type	Compaction Rate	Volume Loss
Dense Grade	15-20%	0.8-0.85
Open Grade	10-15%	0.85-0.9
Modified Mix	12-18%	0.82-0.88

Installation Planning

Equipment Requirements

Small Projects (Under 1000 sq ft)
- Hand tools
- Plate compactor
- Edge tools
- Temperature gauge
Medium Projects (1000-5000 sq ft)
- Power roller
- Paving machine
- Material transfer vehicle
- Quality control tools
Large Projects (Over 5000 sq ft)
- Full paving train
- Multiple rollers
- Transport trucks
- Quality control lab

Quality Control Measures

Temperature Monitoring
- Mix temperature
- Ambient temperature
- Surface temperature
- Cooling rates
Compaction Testing
- Nuclear density gauge
- Core samples
- Rolling pattern verification
- Joint density checks

Cost Analysis Framework

Direct Costs

Materials
- Base asphalt price
- Additives
- Prime coat
- Tack coat
Equipment
- Rental rates
- Fuel costs
- Maintenance
- Transportation
Labor
- Skilled operators
- General labor
- Quality control
- Supervision

Indirect Costs

Site Preparation
- Grading
- Base material
- Drainage
- Marking
Project Management
- Planning
- Permits
- Insurance
- Documentation

Maintenance Guidelines

Short-Term (0-2 Years)

Regular cleaning
Crack inspection
Drainage maintenance
Surface monitoring

Medium-Term (2-5 Years)

Crack sealing
Surface treatments
Patching
Edge repair

Long-Term (5+ Years)

Overlay evaluation
Major repairs
Replacement planning
Budget allocation

Environmental Considerations

Weather Impact
- Temperature effects
- Rain delays
- Humidity factors
- Wind conditions
Sustainability
- Recycled materials
- Energy efficiency
- Water management
- Emissions control

FAQs about Asphalt Calculator

Q: How do I calculate material for a curved driveway?

A: Break the curve into small straight sections or use the arc length formula: Length × average width × depth.

Q: What’s the minimum temperature for installation?

A: 50°F and rising, with no rain forecast for 24 hours.

Q: How long before traffic can resume?

A: Light traffic: 24 hours; Full traffic: 72 hours; Heavy vehicles: 1 week.

Q: What causes asphalt failure?

A: Poor base, inadequate drainage, improper installation, or excessive loads.

Q: How often should I seal coat?

A: Every 2-3 years for optimal protection.

Project Success Checklist

Pre-Installation

Installation Day

Post-Installation

Conclusion

The Asphalt Calculator is your starting point for accurate project planning. Success depends on proper preparation, accurate calculations, and attention to detail throughout the project.

Need more construction tools? Explore our suite of calculators for concrete, aggregates, and site preparation!