Asphalt Calculator

This professional asphalt calculator helps contractors, estimators, and civil engineers determine hot-mix asphalt (HMA) quantity with confidence. Enter your area or dimensions, compacted thickness, and density to instantly get volume, weight (tons/tonnes), truckloads, and optional total cost.

Results

Enter project details to see a full breakdown.

Compacted volume —
Bulk volume (alt) —
Material weight —
Required mix —
Estimated truckloads —
Estimated total cost —

Authoritative Data, Methodology, and Guidance

Data Source and Methodology

Authoritative source: Asphalt Institute, “MS-2 Mix Design Methods,” 7th Edition (2014). Direct reference. Typical planning density for dense-graded HMA is approximately 145 lb/ft³ (2322 kg/m³).

Tutti i calcoli si basano rigorosamente sulle formule e sui dati forniti da questa fonte.

For additional practical construction guidance, see FHWA: Hot-Mix Asphalt Paving Handbook 2000 (FHWA-HIF-00-042).

The Formula Explained

Compacted volume: $$ V = A \times t $$

Waste/contingency adjustment: $$ V_w = V \times \left(1 + \frac{w}{100}\right) $$

Mass using density: $$ m = V_w \times \rho $$

Tons/tonnes: $$ \text{US tons} = \frac{m_{\text{lb}}}{2000} \quad ; \quad \text{metric tonnes} = \frac{m_{\text{kg}}}{1000} $$

Truckloads: $$ N_{\text{trucks}} = \left\lceil \frac{\text{tons}}{C_{\text{truck}}} \right\rceil $$

Glossary of Variables

Symbol / Field
Definition
A (Area)
Surface area to be paved (sq ft or m²).
t (Thickness)
Compacted lift thickness (in or mm).
ρ (Density)
Material density (lb/ft³ or kg/m³), default ≈ 145 lb/ft³ (2322 kg/m³).
w (Waste)
Waste/contingency percentage (commonly 3–10%).
V, Vw
Compacted volume and waste-adjusted volume.
m
Material mass (lb or kg) and equivalent tons/tonnes.
Ctruck
Truck capacity in tons/tonnes used to estimate loads.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Example

Suppose a parking lot is 12,000 sq ft with a compacted thickness of 2 in. Use US units, density 145 lb/ft³, and waste 5%. Truck capacity is 20 tons.

  1. Convert thickness: 2 in = 2/12 = 0.1667 ft.
  2. Compacted volume: V = 12,000 × 0.1667 ≈ 2,000 ft³.
  3. Waste-adjusted volume: Vw = 2,000 × (1 + 0.05) = 2,100 ft³.
  4. Mass: m = 2,100 × 145 = 304,500 lb.
  5. Tons: 304,500 / 2000 = 152.25 tons.
  6. Truckloads: ceil(152.25 / 20) = 8 trucks.

If the unit cost is $95/ton, total cost ≈ 152.25 × $95 = $14,463.75.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Do I enter compacted or loose thickness?

Enter compacted thickness. If you only know loose thickness, multiply by (1 − compaction%) to approximate compacted thickness.

What density value should I use?

Use your mix design density when available. Otherwise, 145 lb/ft³ (2322 kg/m³) is a widely accepted planning value for dense-graded HMA.

How much waste should I include?

3–5% for straightforward rectangles, up to 10% for irregular shapes, edges, or complex geometry.

Are results rounded?

Displayed values are rounded for readability. Internally, calculations use full precision. Consider ordering a small overage to accommodate rounding.

Does temperature affect results?

Thermal expansion is minor for planning quantity. However, jobsite temperatures and compaction effort impact density; use your lab-tested density if possible.

Can I print or share the results?

Yes. Use the Print or Copy buttons in the results section to keep records or share with your supplier.

Tool developed by Ugo Candido. Content technically reviewed by the Asphalt Is Best editorial team.

Strumento sviluppato da Ugo Candido. Contenuti verificati da Asphalt Is Best.

Last reviewed for accuracy on: .