Free tool · Takeoff
Asphalt and Gravel Tons Calculator
Asphalt, stone and gravel are bought by the ton. Add a line for each layer with its area and thickness, choose the material, and the calculator gives the cubic yards placed, the weight in tons and the tons to order with a little extra. Use one line for a gravel drive, or two for asphalt over a stone base.
The numbers stay in your browser: we do not store or receive them.
Layers
Add a line for each layer, for example 3 in of asphalt over 6 in of base. Enter the finished (compacted) thickness.
Total weight
62.25 tons
33.3 cu yd placed
Order with 5.0% extra
65.36 tons
| Material | Area (sq ft) | Cu yd | Tons | Order (tons) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-mix asphalt (compacted) | 1,200 | 11.11 | 21.75 | 22.84 |
| Dense-graded aggregate base (compacted) | 1,200 | 22.22 | 40.50 | 42.53 |
Weights used: Hot-mix asphalt 145 lb/cu ft (1.96 tons per cu yd, 108.75 lb per sq yd per inch); Dense-graded aggregate base 135 lb/cu ft (1.82 tons per cu yd). Use your supplier’s figure when you have it.
How the tons are figured
Cubic feet = area × thickness in inches ÷ 12. Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27. Tons = cubic feet × the weight per cubic foot ÷ 2,000.
The weights are for the material in place, so enter the finished thickness, not the loose thickness it is spread at. The extra percent covers edges, low spots and waste.
Weights used
The calculator starts with typical planning weights: hot-mix asphalt about 145 lb per cubic foot (about 109 lb per square yard for each inch of thickness, or 1.96 tons per cubic yard), compacted dense-graded base about 135, and loose crushed stone, gravel or sand about 100. Real weights vary with the stone, the gradation, the moisture and how well it is compacted, so use the figure your supplier or the mix design gives you in the Other box.
A worked example
A driveway 100 ft long and 12 ft wide has 1,200 sq ft. 3 in of asphalt is 300 cu ft, or 11.1 cu yd, which weighs 21.75 tons. 6 in of dense-graded base under it is 600 cu ft, or 22.2 cu yd, which weighs 40.5 tons.
That is 62.25 tons in all. With 5 percent extra the order is 22.8 tons of asphalt and 42.5 tons of base.
What this does not do
It does not add tack coat, subgrade preparation, a base that extends past the edge of the paving, or the minimum load and trucking charges a plant adds. It does not figure compaction shrink for loose material, so enter the finished thickness and add extra if the stone is placed loose. Check the weight and the thickness with the supplier before you order.
FAQ
How many tons of asphalt do I need?
Multiply the area by the thickness in inches, divide by 12 for cubic feet, then multiply by about 145 lb per cubic foot and divide by 2,000. A 1,200 sq ft driveway 3 in thick takes about 21.75 tons.
How much does a cubic yard of gravel weigh?
Loose crushed stone or gravel is often about 1.3 to 1.4 tons per cubic yard, and compacted base is heavier. It depends on the material, so use your supplier’s weight.
What thickness should I use for a driveway?
That depends on the soil, the traffic and your local requirements, so follow the plans or your paving contractor. The calculator works out the quantity for any thickness you enter.
Why is the order bigger than the total?
The extra percent covers edges, low spots and waste. The box is yours to change, and a small job with irregular edges may need more.
Can I figure a base layer and the paving together?
Yes. Add one line for each layer. The summary adds up each material separately so you can order them from the right supplier.
Is anything I type saved?
No. The calculation runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent to us.
Pricing the whole site package? PoPs Estimating measures paving, base and excavation from your plans and keeps the quantities tied to the bid.
Questions?
Ask us anything about PoPs Suite, pricing, or running a construction company. A real person answers, usually within a business day.