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
The shareable link reopens this calculator with your exact inputs.
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.