Asphalt Weight and Density
Compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot, or 3,915 lb (1.96 tons) per cubic yard. Use the converter to switch between tons, cubic yards, cubic feet and metric units for any density.
Equals
1.96 tons
- Pounds3,915 lb
- Metric tonnes1.78 t
- Cubic yards1.00 yd³
- Cubic feet27.0 ft³
- Cubic meters0.76 m³
- Density2,323 kg/m³
Estimate only, not a quote or professional advice. Disclaimer
Asphalt weight by type
| Material | lb/ft³ | lb/yd³ | Tons/yd³ | kg/m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot-mix asphalt, compacted (typical) | 145 | 3,915 | 1.96 | 2,323 |
| Dense-graded hot mix, high end | 148 | 3,996 | 2.00 | 2,371 |
| Hot-mix asphalt, loose in the truck (approx.) | 116 | 3,132 | 1.57 | 1,858 |
| Lighter mixes, low end | 120 | 3,240 | 1.62 | 1,922 |
| Asphalt millings, compacted | 140 | 3,780 | 1.89 | 2,243 |
| Asphalt millings, loose | 120 | 3,240 | 1.62 | 1,922 |
Compacted hot mix: Nebraska DOT range 120–148 lb/ft³. Millings: NYC millings bank 120–140 lb/ft³. The loose hot-mix figure assumes the mix compacts about 20% when rolled; it is an estimate, not a measured value.
Compacted vs loose
Asphalt density is measured on the finished, rolled pavement. In the truck and right behind the paver the mix is fluffier, which is why crews spread it thicker than the final depth. When you calculate tons from a finished area and thickness, use the compacted density (the default 145 lb/ft³). For a pile of loose millings or a truck bed volume, use a lower figure.
Quick conversions
- 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet = 0.765 cubic meters.
- 1 US (short) ton = 2,000 lb = 0.907 metric tonnes.
- 1 lb/ft³ = 16.02 kg/m³.
- At 145 lb/ft³, 1 ton of asphalt is about 13.8 cubic feet, or 0.51 cubic yards.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
About 3,915 lb (1.96 tons) for compacted hot-mix asphalt at 145 lb/ft³. Across common mixes (120–148 lb/ft³) it ranges from about 1.62 to 2.00 tons.
How much does a cubic foot of asphalt weigh?
Compacted hot-mix asphalt weighs about 145 lb per cubic foot. Nebraska DOT’s estimating guide lists 120–148 lb/ft³ depending on the mix.
What is the density of asphalt in kg/m³?
About 2,323 kg/m³ for compacted hot mix (145 lb/ft³). The range of 120–148 lb/ft³ is about 1,922–2,371 kg/m³.
Why is loose asphalt lighter than compacted asphalt?
Before rolling, the mix has more air between the stones. Rolling squeezes out air and packs the same weight into less space, so the density goes up. The tonnage you order stays the same; only the volume changes.
Related calculators
Sources
- Nebraska DOT: Estimating material quantities (Design guide (undated))
- NYC Office of Environmental Remediation: Asphalt millings bank fact sheet (Feb 1, 2021)