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Asphalt Calculator

Works out the volume, weight and cost of asphalt for a paving job from the area and compacted depth, in metric or imperial units, with the mix density and any waste allowance as figures you supply.

Asphalt needed
4.320
Asphalt Calculator
Including the allowance
4.320
Weight in tonnes
4.320 t
Tonnes including the allowance
4.320 t
Cost
518.40
Cost including the allowance
518.40
Area
36.00
Volume
1.800
Short tons
4.762
Weight
9,523.970 lb
Worked out from Asphalt Institute, MS-22 Construction of Quality Asphalt Pavements and 2 other sources.
Density is the figure that moves the answer most, and it depends on the mix and on compaction. Use the supplier’s figure for the mix being laid rather than a general one.
No waste allowance is included. No standard prescribes one; contractors commonly add 5 to 10 per cent for compaction loss, edges and the last load.

Your figures

Updates as you type
Metres, or feet in imperial.
Used instead of length and width.
Millimetres, or inches in imperial.
kg/m³, or lb/ft³ in imperial. Ask the supplier; mixes differ.
Per tonne, or per short ton in imperial.
No standard prescribes a figure. Many contractors add 5 to 10 per cent.

How this is worked out

4 steps
  1. Area = 36 m²
  2. Volume = 36 × 0.05 m = 1.8 m³
  3. Weight = 1.8 × 2400 kg/m³ = 4320 kg
  4. = 4.32 tonnes at 120 each = 518.4

Its 3 worked examples are re-run on every release, last on 15 September 2026. What changed

Sources and references

3 sources
Asphalt Institute, MS-22 Construction of Quality Asphalt Pavements
Dense-graded hot mix asphalt is commonly taken at about 145 lb/ft³ (2,320 kg/m³) compacted. Mixes vary; use the supplier’s figure where one is given.
Tennessee Department of Transportation, Roadway Design Guidelines chapter 7 (rev. 8 March 2022)
Tonnage from area, thickness and density; the worked relationship used to check this engine.
NIST Special Publication 811, exact unit definitions
Foot 0.3048 m and pound 0.45359237 kg, both exact by definition.

What this calculator does

Works out the volume, weight and cost of asphalt for a paving job from the area and compacted depth, in metric or imperial units, with the mix density and any waste allowance as figures you supply.

How to use Asphalt Calculator

Enter Units, Measured as, Length, Width, Area, Compacted depth, Mix density, Price and Waste allowance. The calculator checks the values, applies the stated method, and updates the result without saving your figures.

What the result means

The result includes Asphalt needed, Including the allowance, Weight in tonnes, Tonnes including the allowance, Cost, Cost including the allowance, Area, Volume, Short tons and Weight. Review the visible working and any warnings before using the answer for a decision.

Method and checks

The method cites Asphalt Institute, MS-22 Construction of Quality Asphalt Pavements; Tennessee Department of Transportation, Roadway Design Guidelines chapter 7 (rev. 8 March 2022); NIST Special Publication 811, exact unit definitions. Its 3 built-in worked examples are checked on every full test run. The initial answer and working are rendered on the server, so they remain readable without JavaScript.

Results are general information, not financial, tax, legal, medical or engineering advice. Check any decision that matters with a qualified professional.

Embed this calculator on your website

Copy this code into any page. The calculator appears with the figures currently entered, sizes itself to fit, and a small credit line links back here. Free, no account, no ads inside it, no tracking of your readers. Set your own figures and fixed fields; Personal removes the credit line, sets your colour and shows you which sites use it.

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