Material calculator
Porous Asphalt Calculator
Tonnage, volume and installed cost for porous asphalt, calculated at its real compacted density of 130 lb/ft³.
Your project
Crews typically order 5-10% extra to cover compaction, spillage and uneven subgrade.
Porous Asphalt needed
8.19
US tons
- Area
- 480 sq ft
- Volume
- 4.67 cubic yards
- Compacted density
- 130 lb/ft³
- Truckloads (20-ton)
- 1
- Installed cost range
- $4,320 – $8,640
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
The shareable link reopens this calculator with your exact inputs.
What is porous asphalt?
Porous (open-graded) asphalt omits the fine aggregate so water drains straight through into a stone reservoir below. It is used to meet stormwater requirements without a detention pond.
Density is around 130 lb/ft³ because of the void structure — do not use 145 for porous tonnage.
Requires a deep open-graded stone reservoir, typically 12-36", which dominates the cost.
How the quantity is calculated
Tons = area (sq ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 × 130 ÷ 2,000. Cubic yards ignore density entirely: area × thickness ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Suppliers quote porous asphalt by the ton in most of the US, so tonnage is the number you order against.
Add a waste allowance of 5-10%. Uneven subgrade, spillage at the truck and the extra material a screed carries on the first pass all come out of your order, not the supplier's.
Typical installed cost for porous asphalt
Installed pricing runs roughly $9.00 to $18.00 per square foot nationally for stormwater-regulated parking lots and overflow areas. Small jobs carry a mobilisation minimum — most contractors will not roll a crew and a roller for under about $2,500.
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
Porous Asphalt quantity by area
At 3" compacted, 130 lb/ft³, no waste added.
| Area | Tons | Cubic yards | Installed cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 8.13 | 4.63 | $4,500 – $9,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 16.25 | 9.26 | $9,000 – $18,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 40.63 | 23.15 | $22,500 – $45,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 81.25 | 46.3 | $45,000 – $90,000 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 162.5 | 92.59 | $90,000 – $180,000 |
Density comparison
| Material | Compacted density | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Hot mix asphalt (compacted) | 145 lb/ft³ | 1.96 |
| Warm mix asphalt (compacted) | 142 lb/ft³ | 1.92 |
| Porous / open-graded asphalt | 130 lb/ft³ | 1.76 |
| Asphalt millings (compacted) | 127 lb/ft³ | 1.71 |
| Asphalt millings (loose) | 110 lb/ft³ | 1.49 |
| Crushed aggregate base (compacted) | 135 lb/ft³ | 1.82 |
| Loose gravel | 105 lb/ft³ | 1.42 |
Frequently asked questions
+How much does porous asphalt weigh per cubic yard?
About 1.76 US tons per cubic yard compacted, based on a 130 lb/ft³ density.
+How many tons of porous asphalt cover 1,000 square feet?
At 3" compacted, about 16.25 tons before waste allowance.
+What does porous asphalt cost installed?
Roughly $9.00-$18.00 per square foot nationally, before mobilisation minimums and site prep.