What density should I use for hot mix asphalt (HMA)?

A common design density for hot mix asphalt is about 145 lb/ft³ (2.32–2.40 t/m³). For dense-graded mixes you can usually leave the default. For open-graded or special mixes, ask your supplier for the project-specific density and enter it in the advanced options.

Should I enter loose or compacted thickness?

You should normally enter the compacted thickness you want to achieve (for example 2 in or 50 mm). The calculator applies a compaction factor to estimate how much loose mix you need to place. If you already know the loose thickness, set the compaction factor to 100% so loose and compacted thickness are treated the same.

How many inches of asphalt do I need for a driveway?

For a typical residential driveway, 2–3 inches (50–75 mm) of compacted asphalt over a well-prepared base is common. Light-duty parking areas may use 3–4 inches, while heavy truck traffic can require 5 inches or more, often in multiple lifts. Always follow local codes and an engineer’s recommendations.

How accurate is this asphalt calculator?

The calculator uses standard engineering formulas and typical asphalt densities, so it is usually accurate enough for estimating material orders and budgeting. Real-world quantities can vary due to base irregularities, compaction, temperature, and paving practices, so contractors often add 5–10% extra as a safety margin.

Asphalt Calculator (Hot Mix Asphalt Tonnage & Cost)

Q: How do I calculate how many tons of asphalt I need?

First calculate the area to be paved, then multiply by the compacted thickness to get volume. Convert the volume to cubic yards or cubic meters and multiply by the asphalt density (typically 145 lb/ft³ or 2.35 t/m³). This calculator does all of these steps for you automatically and lets you adjust density, compaction, and waste.

Estimate how many tons of hot mix asphalt (HMA) you need for driveways, parking lots, and road projects. Supports US/metric units, thickness, compaction, waste, and cost per ton.

1. Project dimensions

Unit system

Length

feet

Width

feet

Compacted thickness

Final compacted thickness of the asphalt layer.

Compaction factor

Typical loose-to-compacted factor is 90–95%. 92% means you place slightly more loose mix than the compacted volume.

Waste / contingency

Extra material for irregularities, edge loss, and truck clean-out.

Advanced: Asphalt density & cost

Asphalt density

lb/ft³

Typical hot mix asphalt density ≈ 145 lb/ft³ (2.35 t/m³).

Cost per ton / tonne (optional)

Enter delivered mix price to estimate total material cost.

2. Results

Enter your project dimensions and click “Calculate” to see required asphalt volume, tons, and cost.

Quick presets

Truckload estimate

Assumes 20-ton trucks by default. Adjust below if your local truck capacity differs.

Truck capacity tons

How this asphalt calculator works

This tool estimates how much hot mix asphalt (HMA) you need by computing the compacted volume of your project area, then converting that volume to weight using asphalt density. It also lets you account for compaction, waste, and truck capacity.

Step 1 – Area of the pavement

For a rectangular area:

Imperial: \( \text{Area} = \text{Length (ft)} \times \text{Width (ft)} \)

Metric: \( \text{Area} = \text{Length (m)} \times \text{Width (m)} \)

Step 2 – Compacted volume

Thickness is converted to feet or meters internally, then:

Volume (compacted) = Area × Thickness

e.g. for US units: \( V_{\text{ft}^3} = A_{\text{ft}^2} \times t_{\text{ft}} \)

Step 3 – Loose volume and waste

Because asphalt is compacted by rollers, you need more loose mix than the final compacted volume. The compaction factor represents the ratio of compacted volume to loose volume.

\( V_{\text{loose}} = \dfrac{V_{\text{compacted}}}{\text{Compaction} / 100} \)

\( V_{\text{total}} = V_{\text{loose}} \times \left(1 + \dfrac{\text{Waste}}{100}\right) \)

Step 4 – Convert volume to tons or tonnes

Using asphalt density:

Imperial: \( \text{Weight (lb)} = V_{\text{ft}^3} \times \rho_{\text{lb/ft}^3} \)

\( \text{Tons (US)} = \dfrac{\text{Weight (lb)}}{2000} \)

Metric: \( \text{Weight (kg)} = V_{\text{m}^3} \times \rho_{\text{kg/m}^3} \)

\( \text{Tonnes} = \dfrac{\text{Weight (kg)}}{1000} \)

The calculator uses a default density of 145 lb/ft³, which is approximately 2.35 t/m³.

Typical asphalt thickness guidelines

Residential driveway: 2–3 in (50–75 mm) compacted asphalt over a good base.
Light-duty parking: 3–4 in (75–100 mm) compacted asphalt.
Heavy-duty / trucks: 5 in (125 mm) or more, often in multiple lifts.

Always follow local codes and, for larger projects, consult a civil engineer or pavement designer.

Understanding asphalt density

Hot mix asphalt is a mixture of mineral aggregates and bitumen binder. Its in-place density depends on:

Aggregate gradation and type
Binder content
Compaction effort and temperature

For estimating, 145 lb/ft³ (2.32–2.40 t/m³) is widely used. For precise jobs, ask your supplier for the mix design density and enter it in the calculator.

Common questions

Why add waste or contingency?

Even with careful planning, real projects have irregular edges, variable base elevations, and some material left in trucks or pavers. Adding 5–10% extra reduces the risk of running short mid-job.

Can I use this for asphalt overlays?

Yes. Measure the area of the existing pavement and enter the overlay thickness you plan to add. For milling and overlay projects, your engineer or contractor may specify a target thickness and density—use those values for best accuracy.

FAQ

How do I calculate how many tons of asphalt I need?

Multiply the area by the compacted thickness to get volume, adjust for compaction and waste, then multiply by asphalt density and convert to tons. This calculator automates all of these steps for you.

What density should I use for hot mix asphalt?

145 lb/ft³ (about 2.35 t/m³) is a good default for dense-graded HMA. If your supplier provides a different design density, enter it in the advanced options.

Does this include base or subbase material?

No. This tool only estimates asphalt mix quantity. Base and subbase materials (gravel, crushed stone, etc.) should be calculated separately using appropriate calculators.

Is this calculator suitable for highways?

It can estimate quantities for any paved area, including highways, but large projects should always be designed and checked by qualified pavement engineers using local standards and traffic data.