You'll need about
10.0
t of asphalt
4.32
m³
72
m²
Quoting a paving job? Turn the tonnage into a priced estimate. Build a free estimate.
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How this is calculated
area × depth = volume · volume × 2,323 kg/m³ ≈ weight. Tarmac is bought by the tonne but specified by depth, so the conversion is where the ordering error usually creeps in.
This is a planning estimate — always confirm against your supplier and the specifics of the job before ordering.
Tarmac calculator: FAQ
How much tarmac do I need for a driveway?
Multiply the area by the laid depth, then convert to tonnes. A 40 m² drive at 50 mm compacted needs 2 m³, which is roughly 4.6 tonnes. Order in whole loads where you can — a part load usually carries a surcharge that dwarfs the material saved.
What depth should tarmac be laid at?
A domestic drive is commonly finished with a 20–25 mm wearing course over a 40–50 mm base, on a compacted sub-base. Anything taking regular vehicle weight or turning needs more, and the sub-base matters more than the tarmac depth — most failed drives failed underneath.
Is tarmac the same as asphalt?
In everyday use, yes. Strictly, tarmac is the older tar-bound material and what is laid now is bitumen-bound asphalt, but the trade and the customer both say tarmac and mean the same driveway.
How much does a tonne of tarmac cover?
At 50 mm depth, about 9 m² per tonne. That figure halves if you double the depth, which is why quoting off area alone without agreeing a depth is how a job loses money.
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