How to Estimate Asphalt Work

Measure the total length and width of the ground to be paved with asphalt. If the asphalt is broken up into sections, measure and note each section. For example, if you have a section that is 10 feet long and 5 feet wide, note it as section one; if you have a separate section that is 4 feet long and 5 feet wide, note it as section two.

Combine all sections into one square feet total. For example, combining the two examples used here, you get 50 square feet and 20 square feet; combine these to get 70 square feet, the total area to be paved with asphalt.

Calculate the total cubic feet to be paved. First, determine the thickness of the asphalt. This can vary from 1 inch to 4 inches, depending on your preference. If you will pave an area 4 inches thick, then multiply the total square feet by the total thickness of 4 inches. Convert 4 inches to feet by dividing 4 by 12 to get 0.33 feet. Multiply 70 square feet times 0.33 to get 23.1 cubic feet, the total cubic feet needed to pave a 4-inch-thick asphalt pad.

Convert total cubic feet to cubic yards. Divide 23.1 (cubic feet) by 27 (the number of cubic feet in a cubic yard) to get 0.85 cubic yards. Calculate waste at 5 percent of the total cubic yards by multiplying 0.85 times 0.05, or 0.042 cubic yards. Add the waste amount to the total cubic yards (0.042 + 0.85) to get the total amount of asphalt in cubic yards needed to pave your project (0.89 yards, rounded off).