Free · No signup · Asphalt Institute MS-2

Free Asphalt Calculator
Tons, Cost & Coverage

The most accurate free asphalt calculator online. Get exact tonnage, cost, cubic yards and truckloads for any shape — including irregular polygons you draw yourself.

145
lb/ft³ HMA density
6
mix types
4
shapes + draw-your-own
100%
free forever

Asphalt Calculator

1. Select your shape

ft
ft
ft
ft
ft

Click/tap to place polygon vertices. Place 3+ points to calculate area. Set the canvas width to match your real-world measurement.

ft
in
Using 145 lb/ft³ — Hot Mix Asphalt (AI MS-2 standard)
0%10% standard25%

Optional extras

$/t
Results AI MS-2 formula

The science behind the number

How to calculate asphalt tonnage

Our calculator uses the exact Asphalt Institute MS-2 formula — the authoritative standard used by paving engineers worldwide, not a back-of-envelope estimate.

Tons = ( Lft × Wft × Din ÷ 12 × ρ ) ÷ 2,000

Quick shortcut at 145 lb/ft³ (HMA): Tons = Area (ft²) × Depth (in) × 0.00604  ·  Example: 1,000 ft² × 2" = 12.1 tons → order 13.3 tons

L × W
Length × Width in feet (your measured area)
D ÷ 12
Depth in inches converted to feet
ρ = 145
HMA density lb/ft³ — compacted in-place
÷ 2,000
Converts pounds to short tons
01

Measure your area

Length × width in feet. For circles use radius. For irregular lots, use the draw-your-shape mode — click/tap vertices and the Shoelace algorithm computes exact area.

02

Choose your depth

Enter the compacted depth. Residential driveways: 2–3". Commercial: 3". Heavy vehicles: 4–6". The roller compacts an extra 20–25% — don't adjust for this.

03

Select your mix

HMA (145 lb/ft³) is standard. Porous, RAP, cold mix, and SMA each have different densities — using the wrong one causes expensive shortfalls.

04

Add waste & order

Always add 10% waste. Running out mid-job costs $200–$400 re-mobilisation and leaves a cold joint structural weakness. Over-ordering is always cheaper.

Quick-reference coverage table (HMA at 145 lb/ft³)

Technical data

Asphalt density by mix type

Using the wrong density causes incorrect tonnage estimates — potentially $500+ in wasted material or costly re-orders. Our calculator applies the right value automatically.

Mix typelb/ft³kg/m³t/yd³Typical usevs HMA
Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA)
Dense-graded, standard		142–1482,274–2,3702.03Driveways, roads, parking lotsBaseline
Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA)
High-performance rut-resistant		145–1552,322–2,4832.06Highways, high-volume intersections+20–30%
Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA)
Lower-temperature, lower emissions		142–1482,274–2,3702.03Same as HMA — 30°F lower lay tempSame cost
Open-Graded / OGFC
Porous, permeable		115–1351,842–2,1621.72Stormwater drainage, noise reduction+15–25%
Cold Mix Asphalt
Patching only		100–1301,602–2,082~1.70Pothole repair, temporary patchesSimilar
RAP / Recycled Millings
Reclaimed asphalt		120–1401,922–2,2421.82Budget driveways, paths, base layers−40–60%

Source: Asphalt Institute MS-2 Manual; NAPA Information Series IS-134. All values are compacted in-place densities.

Specification guide

How thick does asphalt need to be?

Under-specified depth is the #1 cause of premature pavement failure. Use these NAPA-sourced benchmarks before entering your depth into the calculator.

Residential

Standard driveway

2–3 inches HMA

Over 6–8" compacted stone base. Choose 3" for 20+ year durability. Full-depth without a base course: 4–6".

Light commercial

Parking lots

3 inches min

For light vehicles. Add 3–4" base course HMA for occasional deliveries. Over 8" compacted aggregate base.

Heavy duty

Trucks & industrial

4–6 inches HMA

Semi-trailers, garbage trucks, heavy equipment. Often laid in two lifts: 3–4" binder + 1.5–2" surface course.

Highway

Road surface course

1.5–2 inches surface lift

Roads are built in layers: surface + binder (4–8") + base (6–12"). Min lift ≥ 3× nominal max aggregate size.

Paths & walkways

Pedestrian areas

1.5 inches HMA

Bike paths, walkways, recreational. Over 4–6" compacted base. Use 9.5mm fine-graded surface mix.

Resurfacing

Overlay / mill-and-fill

1.5–2 inches overlay

Mill 1–2" of deteriorated surface, pave fresh HMA. Existing structure must be sound. See our Overlay Calculator.

The #1 mistake

Compaction & waste — what you must know

Asphalt shrinks 20–25% when rolled. Most short-orders happen because buyers don't understand this. Here's exactly what our calculator does and what you need to add.

Loose mat spread by paver
1.25" loose spread (before roller)
↓ Roller compacts 20–25%
1.0" compacted = final depth

Our calculator outputs compacted tonnage — what you order from the plant. The crew spreads it 20–25% thicker, then rolls it down to your specified depth.

You do not adjust for compaction. Just add your waste % on top.

⚠️ Contractor note: If your quote specifies a loose-mat depth rather than compacted depth, multiply by 0.80 before entering into this calculator. Entering loose-mat depth will over-order by 20–25%.
5%
Large simple rectangles (parking lots, straight roads)
10%
Industry default — standard projects
15%
Curves, cutouts, irregular shapes, tight access
20%
Patching, spot repairs, hand-work areas
Why running out mid-job always costs more than over-ordering: HMA must be placed at 275–325°F. Once it drops below ~185°F it can't be compacted. Run short and you pay $200–$400 re-mobilisation, the cold joint creates a structural weakness, and you get surface delamination within 3–5 years. One extra half-ton costs ~$55. One re-mobilisation costs $300. Order more.

2026 pricing data

Asphalt cost guide — 2026

Use these benchmarks to verify contractor quotes before signing. Prices track crude oil — these reflect mid-2026 national averages.

Material cost per ton
HMA at plant (bulk)$80–$160/ton
National average at plant~$110/ton
Delivered + installed (driveway)$140–$220/ton
RAP / recycled millings$10–$30/ton
Cold mix bag (50 lb)$15–$25/bag
Installed cost per sq ft
Residential driveway$3.00–$7.00/ft²
National average~$5.25/ft²
Light commercial lot$3.50–$8.00/ft²
Resurfacing / overlay$1.50–$3.50/ft²
Per extra inch depth+$0.75–$1.25/ft²
Regional price multipliers
Northeast (NY, MA, CT, NJ)+20–35%
West Coast (CA, OR, WA)+15–30%
Midwest (OH, IL, MI, IN)±0–10%
Southeast (FL, GA, NC, SC)−5–15%
South / Plains (TX, OK, KS)−10–20%
Typical project totals
Avg driveway (600 ft²)$2,500–$6,500
Large driveway (1,200 ft²)$4,500–$10,000
Small parking lot (5,000 ft²)$15,000–$35,000
Asphalt vs concrete (30-yr TCO)~Comparable
Pro tip: Always get ≥3 quotes from licensed local contractors. Ask for a unit rate ($/ton or $/ft²) so you can cross-check against our calculator. Spring bookings cost more (peak demand) — late summer and fall often have better availability and pricing. Use our Cost Calculator for a full project estimate.

Complete toolkit

More asphalt calculators

Each tool is purpose-built for its specific calculation — not a copy-paste of the asphalt calculator with a different label.

⚖️
Tonnage Calculator
Multi-layer support with separate surface, binder, and base course inputs. Built for professional paving estimates with precise density control.
Open tool →
💰
Cost Calculator
Full project cost breakdown: material, labour, and base prep. Enter your local rates and get a total with per-sq-ft comparison.
Open tool →
🏠
Driveway Calculator
Tailored for homeowners. Includes base layer options, all shapes, and a side-by-side asphalt vs concrete 30-year cost comparison.
Open tool →
🛢️
Bitumen Calculator
Calculate binder quantity in tons, litres, and gallons from binder content %. For engineers, specifiers, and plant managers.
Open tool →
🚧
Paving Calculator
Professional multi-lift estimator: calculate surface course, binder course, and base course tonnage separately. Includes tack coat guidance.
Open tool →
🔄
Overlay Calculator
Mill-and-fill and thin overlay projects. Calculate overlay tonnage, millings removed, and resurfacing costs. Covers 4 overlay types.
Open tool →
🔁
Unit Converter
Convert sq ft ↔ sq yd ↔ m², short tons ↔ metric tonnes ↔ kg, cubic yards — for any mix density.
Open tool →
📖
Guides & Blog
In-depth asphalt articles on costs, materials, thickness, maintenance, and contractor tips. New content regularly.
Read guides →

Common questions

Asphalt calculator FAQ

Answers to every common question about tonnage, cost, thickness, and specifications.

Use the Asphalt Institute formula: Tons = (L ft × W ft × D in ÷ 12 × 145) ÷ 2,000. Quick shortcut: Area (ft²) × Depth (in) × 0.00604. Add 10% waste. Example: 1,000 ft² × 2" = 12.1 tons → order 13.3 tons. Our calculator handles all shapes including irregular polygons.
At 2" depth: ~80–82 sq ft per ton. At 1.5": ~107 sq ft. At 3": ~54 sq ft. At 4": ~41 sq ft. These use standard HMA at 145 lb/ft³. See the quick-reference table in the How It Works section above.
Standard HMA: 145 lb/ft³ (2,322 kg/m³) — the Asphalt Institute default. SMA: 150. Porous/OGFC: 120. Cold mix: 115. RAP millings: 130 lb/ft³. Select the correct mix type in the calculator — it applies the right density automatically.
At 2": 12.1 tons base → order 13.3 tons (10% waste). At 3": 18.1 tons base → order 19.9 tons. Enter your exact dimensions above — different shapes, depths, and mix types are all handled.
2–3 inches compacted HMA over a 6–8" compacted stone base for residential driveways. Choose 3" for durability over 20+ years. Full-depth without a base: 4–6". Light commercial: 3" minimum. See our Driveway Calculator for a full spec guide.
HMA at plant: $80–$160/ton (~$110 national avg). Installed: $140–$220/ton or $3–$7/ft². Northeast and West Coast run 20–35% above average. Always get ≥3 quotes — prices vary significantly by region, season, and contractor.
Tandem axle: 18–20 tons. Tri-axle: 22–25 tons. Super dump: up to 26 tons. Short loads typically carry a $100–$300 surcharge. Our calculator shows exact truckload count — select your truck type in the dropdown.
5% for large simple rectangles. 10% for standard projects (industry default). 15% for curves or irregular shapes. 20% for patching. Running out mid-job costs $200–$400 re-mobilisation and creates a structural cold joint. Always order more.
Asphalt: $3–$7/ft² installed. Concrete: $6–$12/ft². Asphalt is cheaper upfront. Over 30 years (sealing every 3–5 years, resurfacing at 20–25 years) total cost is often similar. Asphalt handles freeze-thaw better; concrete handles extreme heat better. See our Driveway Calculator for a full 30-year TCO comparison.
RAP (Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement), also called millings, is old asphalt ground up into gravel-like pieces. It costs 40–60% less than virgin HMA and works well for budget driveways and base layers. Density: 120–140 lb/ft³ — select the RAP option in the mix type dropdown.
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AI MS-2 formula

Asphalt Institute standard — not a guessed approximation

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6 mix types

HMA, SMA, WMA, porous, cold mix & RAP — correct densities

✏️

Draw irregular shapes

Canvas tool + Shoelace algorithm for exact polygon area

📱

Mobile-ready

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