How many square feet does a ton of asphalt cover?
Quick Answer
One ton of asphalt covers approximately 80 square feet at 2 inches thick, 54 square feet at 3 inches thick, or 40 square feet at 4 inches thick. Asphalt weighs about 145 lbs per cubic foot when compacted. A standard residential driveway at 2–3 inches thick uses 1 ton per 54–80 sq ft.
Quick Reference Table
| Compacted thickness | Asphalt coverage per ton |
|---|---|
| 1 inch | 160 sq ft per ton |
| 1.5 inch | 107 sq ft per ton |
| 2 inches | 80 sq ft per ton |
| 3 inches | 54 sq ft per ton |
| 4 inches | 40 sq ft per ton |
How to Calculate It Yourself
- 1
Asphalt density (compacted) = ~145 lbs per cubic foot.
- 2
One ton = 2,000 lbs ÷ 145 lbs/cu ft = 13.8 cubic feet per ton.
- 3
At 2" thick (0.167 ft): 13.8 ÷ 0.167 = 82.6 sq ft per ton.
- 4
At 3" thick (0.25 ft): 13.8 ÷ 0.25 = 55.2 sq ft per ton.
- 5
Add 10% to your tonnage estimate for compaction and waste.
Pro Tip
Hot mix asphalt compacts 15–20% when rolled — always order 15% more than your calculated volume. Cold patch asphalt compacts less uniformly and is only suitable for small repairs.
Assumptions to Check
Before ordering materials, confirm the dimensions, product coverage, waste factor, and local installation requirements for your project. Manufacturer coverage tables and local code rules can change the final quantity, especially for structural work, exterior projects, and irregular layouts.
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