Volume-to-weight converter
Asphalt Cubic Yards to Tons
Turn a measured or calculated asphalt volume into weight. The result updates with density so it can represent compacted HMA, another specified mix, or millings when an appropriate value is entered.
Project inputs
Results update as you type
Estimated results
Asphalt weight
9.79 US tons
Metric tonnes
8.88 tonnes
Pounds
19,575 lb
Kilograms
8,879 kg
The conversion changes with density. Match the density to compacted pavement, loose hot mix, or millings as applicable.
Formula
Unit conversions are completed before multiplication, then results are formatted only at display time to avoid cumulative rounding.
Example calculation
Convert 8 cubic yards at 145 lb/ft³.
8 × 27 × 145 = 31,320 lb, equal to 15.66 US tons or about 14.21 metric tonnes.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter compacted or loose cubic yards.
- 2Set a density that describes material in that same condition.
- 3Use US tons for suppliers quoting short tons and tonnes for metric purchasing.
- 4Retain the unrounded result until applying supplier order increments.
A density-aware yards-to-tons conversion
Online rules of thumb often hide their density assumption. This converter exposes it. At 145 lb/ft³, the factor is 1.9575 US tons per cubic yard; at 125 lb/ft³ it is 1.6875 tons per cubic yard.
That difference is material for RAP, uncompacted mixtures, and projects governed by a specific job-mix formula.
Do not confuse yard with square yard
A cubic yard is a volume. A square yard is an area and cannot be converted to tons without thickness. If your takeoff is in square yards, use the tonnage calculator and provide the layer thickness.
Related calculators and guides
Asphalt Tons to Cubic Yards
Convert asphalt US tons to cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters using an editable material density and a clearly displayed conversion formula.
Open CalculatorAsphalt Density Calculator
Calculate asphalt density from mass and volume, then convert lb/ft³, kg/m³, US tons/yd³ and metric tonnes/m³ without assuming one mix density.
Open CalculatorAsphalt Tonnage Calculator
Calculate asphalt tonnage from area, thickness and density. Supports feet, inches, yards, meters and centimeters with US tons and metric tonnes.
Open CalculatorAsphalt Millings Calculator
Estimate recycled asphalt millings area, volume, tons and tonnes using project depth, editable RAP density and an optional compaction allowance.
Open GuideTons in a Cubic Yard of Asphalt
One cubic yard of compacted asphalt is about 1.96 US tons at 145 lb/ft³. See the formula, density table and correct yards-to-tons conversion.
Open GuideHow Much Does Asphalt Weigh?
See how much compacted asphalt weighs per cubic foot, cubic yard and square foot, with formulas, thickness examples and density assumptions.
OpenFrequently asked questions
How many tons are in one cubic yard of asphalt?
At 145 lb/ft³, one cubic yard weighs about 1.96 US tons. The exact value depends on density.
How many pounds are in a cubic yard of asphalt?
At 145 lb/ft³, one cubic yard weighs 3,915 lb because it contains 27 cubic feet.
Can cubic yards be converted without density?
Not accurately. Cubic yards measure volume, while tons measure mass; density connects them.
Does this work for recycled asphalt?
Yes if you enter a representative recycled asphalt density rather than assuming the compacted HMA default.
What if my supplier uses metric tonnes?
Use the metric-tonnes output. One metric tonne equals 1,000 kg.
Need a different asphalt calculation?
Browse tools for cost, weight, density, coverage, conversions, driveways, parking lots, millings, and sealcoating.