Volume-to-weight workflow
Asphalt Weight Calculator
Convert a known compacted asphalt volume into pounds, kilograms, US short tons, and metric tonnes. The density stays visible and editable because unit weight changes with the mix and compaction.
Converted weight
Asphalt weight
- Pounds
- 3,915 lb
- Kilograms
- 1,775.8 kg
- US unit weight
- 1.9575 tons/yd³
- Metric unit weight
- 2.3227 t/m³
Show the conversion
- Normalize the entered volume to cubic feet.
- Multiply cubic feet by the compacted density in lb/ft³.
- Divide pounds by 2,000 for US short tons.
- Convert pounds to kilograms, then divide by 1,000 for metric tonnes.
This converts volume to weight only. It does not select a pavement depth, mix, order allowance, or supplier quantity.
One conversion, two unit systems
Asphalt weight is volume × density
Weight = compacted volume × compacted densityUS short tons = pounds ÷ 2,000
Metric tonnes = kilograms ÷ 1,000
In US units, multiply cubic yards by 27 before applying a density stated in lb/ft³. In metric units, cubic meters and kg/m³ are already compatible. The converter displays both systems so the result can be checked without changing the physical quantity.
Illustrative density range
Weight per cubic yard changes with density
The Asphalt Institute reports that asphalt mixture typically weighs 142–148 lb/ft³ in place. The table applies the same conversion at three points in that range; it is not a substitute for a project-specific mix value.
| Density | Weight per yd³ | Metric equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 142 lb/ft³ | 1.917 short tons | 2.275 t/m³ |
| 145 lb/ft³ | 1.9575 short tons | 2.323 t/m³ |
| 148 lb/ft³ | 1.998 short tons | 2.371 t/m³ |
Review the Asphalt Institute engineering FAQ · See all conversion sources and limits
Questions, answered plainly
Asphalt weight and unit weight questions
How much does one cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
At the editable starting density of 145 lb/ft³, one compacted cubic yard converts to 3,915 lb or 1.9575 US short tons. Actual compacted mix density varies, so replace the default with supplier or job-mix data when available.
What is the unit weight of asphalt?
Unit weight is the weight per unit of volume. This page starts at 145 lb/ft³, about 2,323 kg/m³, and shows the equivalent short tons per cubic yard and metric tonnes per cubic meter.
How do I convert cubic yards of asphalt to tons?
Multiply cubic yards by 27 to get cubic feet, multiply by compacted density in pounds per cubic foot, then divide by 2,000 to get US short tons.
Should I use loose or compacted asphalt volume?
Use a volume and density that describe the same material condition. This calculator is framed around compacted in-place volume and compacted density; mixing a loose volume with compacted density produces a misleading result.
Can this calculator find volume from driveway dimensions?
No. This page starts with a known volume. Use the main asphalt calculator when you need to calculate volume and tonnage from area and compacted thickness.