How Much Does 21 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
How much does 21 tons of asphalt cover: about 1,738 square feet at 2 inches compacted and about 1,159 square feet at 3 inches, using 145 pounds per cubic foot. The thickness choice changes coverage more than anything else.
Asphalt tonnage calculator →Coverage by thickness
| Thickness | Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 2,317 | 257 |
| 2 in | 1,738 | 193 |
| 2.5 in | 1,390 | 154 |
| 3 in | 1,159 | 129 |
| 4 in | 869 | 97 |
The math
- 21 tons × 2,000 = 42,000 lb.
- ÷ 145 lb per cu ft = 289.7 cu ft.
- ÷ (2 ÷ 12) ft = 1,738 sq ft at 2 inches.
What that area looks like
1,159 square feet is roughly a 34 by 34 foot square, or a 12-foot-wide strip about 97 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: 21 tons is about 2 typical tandem load.
Use the asphalt tonnage calculator for exact sizes.
When to choose asphalt
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
Think twice 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 12x24 area at 2 inches takes about 3.6 tons.
- Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Measuring only the main rectangle. Aprons, turnouts and curved edges add real square footage.
- Skipping drainage. Water sitting under any surface softens the base and leads to ruts and potholes.
- Using inches as if they were feet. Depth has to be divided by 12 before you multiply; skipping that step inflates the order twelvefold.
- Ignoring the base. A thin surface layer over soft soil fails early no matter how much material is on top.
Questions people ask
How many square feet does 21 tons of asphalt cover at 2 inches?
About 1,738 square feet.
At 3 inches?
About 1,159 square feet.
At 1.5 inches?
About 2,317 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 19 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
- How Much Does 20 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
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