How Much Does 5 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
How much does 5 tons of asphalt cover: about 414 square feet at 2 inches compacted and about 276 square feet at 3 inches, using 145 pounds per cubic foot. A thicker new surface covers less.
Asphalt tonnage calculator →Coverage by thickness
| Thickness | Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 in | 552 | 61 |
| 2 in | 414 | 46 |
| 2.5 in | 331 | 37 |
| 3 in | 276 | 31 |
| 4 in | 207 | 23 |
The math
- 5 tons × 2,000 = 10,000 lb.
- ÷ 145 lb per cu ft = 69.0 cu ft.
- ÷ (2 ÷ 12) ft = 414 sq ft at 2 inches.
In driveway terms
276 square feet is close to a 16 by 16 foot square, or a 12-foot-wide strip about 23 feet long at 3 inches. That is a small patch or short apron job.
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: 5 tons is under one typical tandem load.
Use the asphalt tonnage calculator for exact sizes.
When to choose asphalt
Good uses:
- 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
Less suited to:
- 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 4 inches takes about 7.1 tons.
- Weight used here: about 2.0 tons per cubic yard (roughly 145 lb per compacted cubic foot).
Mistakes that throw off the order
- Ordering exactly the math. Uneven ground and spillage nearly always need a little more than the flat calculation.
- Mixing up cubic yards and tons. Yards are volume, tons are weight; convert with the product’s weight per yard.
- 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.
Questions people ask
How many square feet does 5 tons of asphalt cover at 2 inches?
About 414 square feet.
At 3 inches?
About 276 square feet.
At 1.5 inches?
About 552 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 3 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
- How Much Does 4 Tons of Asphalt Cover?
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