How Much Does 16 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
How much does 16 tons of asphalt cover: about 1,324 square feet at 2 inches compacted and about 883 square feet at 3 inches, using 145 pounds per cubic foot. Thinner overlays stretch it further.
Asphalt tonnage calculator →Coverage by thickness
| Thickness | Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 1,766 | 196 |
| 2 in | 1,324 | 147 |
| 2.5 in | 1,059 | 118 |
| 3 in | 883 | 98 |
| 4 in | 662 | 74 |
The math
- 16 tons × 2,000 = 32,000 lb.
- ÷ 145 lb per cu ft = 220.7 cu ft.
- ÷ (2 ÷ 12) ft = 1,324 sq ft at 2 inches.
Sizing it up
883 square feet is about a 29 by 29 foot square, or a 12-foot-wide strip about 74 feet long at 3 inches. That is typical of a residential driveway.
Things to keep in mind
- Density varies from about 140 to 150 lb per cubic foot by mix.
- Waste and base dips use 5 to 10 percent more.
- Truck loads: 16 tons is about 2 typical tandem load.
Use the asphalt tonnage calculator for exact sizes.
Where asphalt fits
Works well for:
- Driveways, parking pads and private lanes that need a smooth, sealed surface
- Overlays on old pavement that is cracked but still structurally sound
- Areas where snow will be plowed, since a paved surface does not throw stone
Poor fit for:
- Ground that stays soft or wet, unless the base and drainage are fixed first
- Very small patches, where bagged cold patch is often simpler
- Jobs in cold weather, since hot mix needs warm temperatures to compact properly
Quick reference numbers
- Per inch over 100 sq ft: about 0.62 tons of asphalt (0.31 cubic yards).
- Per inch over 1,000 sq ft: about 6.2 tons.
- Another size for comparison: a 14x28 area at 4 inches takes about 9.7 tons.
- Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).
Common estimating mistakes
- Forgetting that compaction shrinks loose material. A loose 4-inch spread of a dense-graded stone may finish closer to 3 inches after rolling.
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
Questions people ask
How many square feet does 16 tons of asphalt cover at 2 inches?
About 1,324 square feet.
At 3 inches?
About 883 square feet.
At 1.5 inches?
About 1,766 square feet.
What density is assumed?
145 lb per compacted cubic foot.
Should I order extra?
Many estimators add 5 to 10 percent.
Related guides
- How Many Square Feet Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
- How Many Tons of Asphalt per 1,000 Square Feet?
- How Many Square Yards Does a Ton of Asphalt Cover?
- How Much Does 14 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
- How Much Does 15 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
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