How to Use the Asphalt Calculator

This guide will walk you through using the responsive Asphalt Calculator on both desktop and mobile devices.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Project Dimensions

• Length: Input the length of your project area in feet
  • Example: For a 20-foot long driveway, enter “20”
• Width: Input the width of your project area in feet
  • Example: For a 10-foot wide driveway, enter “10”
• Depth: Input the desired asphalt depth in inches (default is 2 inches)
  • Typical depths: 2-4 inches for driveways, 4-6 inches for roads

2. Select Asphalt Density

• Choose from the dropdown menu:
  • Standard Hot Mix (145 lbs/cubic yard): Most common for residential projects
  • Lightweight Mix (135 lbs/cubic yard): For projects requiring less weight
  • Heavy Duty Mix (150 lbs/cubic yard): For commercial/heavy traffic areas

3. Calculate

• Click/tap the “Calculate Asphalt Needed” button
• The results will appear below the button

4. View Results

The calculator provides four key measurements:

1. Area: Total surface area in square feet
2. Volume: Total volume in cubic yards
3. Asphalt Needed (tons): Weight in tons (1 ton = 2000 lbs)
4. Asphalt Needed (lbs): Weight in pounds

Mobile-Specific Tips

• On smartphones:
  • The keyboard will automatically show number input when tapping fields
  • Results display in a stacked layout for better readability
  • You can rotate your device horizontally for more space if needed

Example Calculation

For a driveway that is:

• Length: 20 feet
• Width: 10 feet
• Depth: 3 inches
• Density: Standard Hot Mix (145 lbs/cubic yard)

The calculator will show:

• Area: 200 sq ft
• Volume: 1.85 cubic yards
• Asphalt Needed: 2.68 tons (5,358 lbs)

Troubleshooting

• If you see an error message:
  • Check that all fields contain positive numbers
  • Ensure no fields are left blank
  • Verify you’re using numbers (not text) in the inputs

This calculator helps you estimate the amount of asphalt required for your paving project, whether it’s a driveway, parking lot, or walkway. The responsive design ensures it works well on any device.