Measurement calculator
Asphalt Thickness & Compaction Calculator
Two questions, one tool: how deep will my tonnage go, and how much loose mix do I need to hit a compacted depth?
Your project
Loose hot mix loses roughly 20-25% of its volume when rolled.
Compacted depth you will achieve
2.07
inches
- Area
- 480 sq ft
- Compacted volume
- 3.07 cubic yards
- Loose depth before rolling
- 2.59 inches
- Verdict
- Adequate for a car driveway
Loose depth versus compacted depth
Hot mix arrives on site loose and full of air. Rolling drives that air out, and the material loses roughly 20 to 25% of its height in the process. A 2-inch finished surface has to be screeded at about 2.5 inches loose.
This catches out almost every first-time DIY paver. Screed to the number you want to end up with and you finish a quarter to a half inch short — enough to shorten the pavement's life meaningfully.
The one-inch rule of thumb
One ton of compacted hot mix covers about 165 square feet at 1 inch. Divide by your depth in inches to get coverage: 83 sq ft at 2 inches, 55 at 3, 41 at 4. It is accurate enough to sanity-check a contractor's tonnage on the spot.
Coverage of one ton of hot mix
| Compacted depth | Coverage per ton | Tons per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1" | 166 sq ft | 6.04 tons |
| 1.5" | 110 sq ft | 9.06 tons |
| 2" | 83 sq ft | 12.08 tons |
| 2.5" | 66 sq ft | 15.1 tons |
| 3" | 55 sq ft | 18.13 tons |
| 4" | 41 sq ft | 24.17 tons |
| 6" | 28 sq ft | 36.25 tons |
Recommended thickness by application
| Application | Asphalt depth | Aggregate base |
|---|---|---|
| Residential driveway (surface course) | 2" | 4-6" aggregate base |
| Residential driveway (full depth) | 3" | 6-8" aggregate base |
| Overlay / resurfacing | 1.5-2" | Existing pavement |
| Parking lot — cars only | 3" | 6" aggregate base |
| Parking lot — light truck traffic | 4" | 8" aggregate base |
| Commercial drive lane / heavy truck | 5-6" | 10-12" aggregate base |
| Private road | 4-6" | 8-12" aggregate base |
| Walking path / bike trail | 1.5-2" | 4" aggregate base |
Frequently asked questions
+How much does asphalt compact?
Hot mix loses about 20-25% of its loose volume under a roller. Spread it 25% deeper than your target finished thickness.
+How many square feet will 1 ton of asphalt cover at 2 inches?
About 83 square feet at 2 inches compacted.
+Is 2 inches of asphalt enough for a driveway?
For passenger cars over a proper 4-6 inch aggregate base, yes. For delivery trucks, RVs or trailers, go to 3 inches or more.