Asphalt Calculator

How to Calculate Asphalt Needed

Calculating the amount of asphalt needed for a project involves determining the volume of the area to be paved and converting it to weight. This process takes into account the dimensions of the area and the desired thickness of the asphalt layer.

Asphalt Calculation Formula

The formula for calculating the amount of asphalt needed is:

Asphalt Tons = (Length × Width × Depth × Density) ÷ 2000

Where:

• Length and Width are in feet
• Depth is in feet (typically 2-4 inches, converted to feet)
• Density of asphalt is approximately 145 lbs per cubic foot
• 2000 is the number of pounds in a ton

Calculation Steps

1. Measure the length and width of the area to be paved
2. Determine the desired depth of the asphalt layer
3. Calculate the volume by multiplying length × width × depth
4. Multiply the volume by the density of asphalt (145 lbs/ft³)
5. Divide the result by 2000 to convert pounds to tons

Example Calculation

Let's calculate the amount of asphalt needed for a driveway with the following dimensions:

• Length: 50 feet
• Width: 20 feet
• Depth: 3 inches (0.25 feet)

1. Calculate the volume: \[Volume = 50 ft \times 20 ft \times 0.25 ft = 250 cu ft\]
2. Calculate the weight in pounds: \[Weight = 250 cu ft \times 145 lbs/ft³ = 36,250 lbs\]
3. Convert pounds to tons: \[Tons = 36,250 lbs \div 2000 lbs/ton = 18.125 tons\]

For this driveway, you would need approximately 18.13 tons of asphalt.

Asphalt Calculation Visualization

This diagram visually represents the area to be covered (180 sq ft) and the actual coverage provided by 6 sheets of 4x8 plywood (192 sq ft), showing the slight overage to ensure full coverage.