So you’re trying to figure out how to calculate blacktop tonnage. If you ended up on Google, chances are you don’t even know where to start. Luckily, it is much easier than you might imagine. In fact, this short guide will show you the easiest way to calculate asphalt tonnage in a few simple steps.
Let me save you some time. We offer a free asphalt tonnage calculator app on our website here. No hand-written calculations. No signing up. No purchase is necessary. Just enter your measurements and calculate the total asphalt tonnage and price required for your paving job.
Try the calculator for youself here.
Our asphalt calculator will estimate the total number of tons of asphalt or hot mix required to complete your asphalt paving job and the total price of the asphalt needed. Please note that densities will vary between different types of mixes, but our estimate is based on the standard “rule of thumb” for asphalt tonnage estimating.
We know that our calculator can make your job easier and guide you on your path to figuring the tonnage of asphalt required for your next paving job. But, if you are committed to doing the math by hand, here is an in-depth guide to calculating hot-mix asphalt tonnage and price for an asphalt paving job.
A 5-Step Guide To Calculating Asphalt Tonnage
Step 1: Measure the job
To get started calculating your total asphalt tonnage required, you’ll need to gather some initial measurements of the job. Find the length, height and depth of the job on-site with a tape measurer and a measuring wheel.
Write these numbers down and make sure they are accurate. A false reading or miscalculation could result in money lost or time wasted.
Step 2: Convert to feet
Now that you have the size of the job, you’ll need to convert the measurement into feet. Depending on how you calculated the measurements, here is a quick list of forulas:
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Inches to feet: [inches] / 12 = feet
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Yards to feet: [yards] * 3 = feet
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Meters to feet: [meters] * 3.28084 = feet
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Miles to feet: [miles] * 5280 = feet
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Kilometers to feet: [kilometers] * 3280.84 = feet
Remember, you must convert the length, height and depth to feet.
Step 3: Multiply to cubic feet
Now that all of your measurements have been converted to feet, you can multiply the three numbers together to find the volume in cubic feet.
[length] * [height] * [depth] = volume (cubic feet)
This number, the volume of the area, tells you the size that you are going to have to fill with asphalt hot mix.
Step 4: Multiply weight density and volume
Now that you have determined the volume of the road, you need to multiply it by the weight density of asphalt. The weighted density of asphalt is typically around 145 pounds per square foot, but this number varies from mix to mix, depending on the type of asphalt you are using.
It is highly recommended that you contact your asphalt supplier and get an accurate measurement for the weighted density before completing step 4.
[volume] * [weight density] = total asphalt required
Step 5: Convert to tons
The final step will take the total weight of the asphalt required and convert it into tons. Take the last number you found and divide it by 2,000.
[total asphalt required] / 2,000 = tonnage of asphalt required
Optional: Multiply by price per ton
This final step is not always needed, but for some, price is the most important aspect of a job. To calculate the number of benjamins you’ll need to purchase the hot mix, multiply your total tonnage of asphalt required by the price per ton of the asphalt. Your asphalt supplier can give you this exact number.
[tonnage of asphalt required] * [price per ton] = total price for the hot mix
Save yourself some time and stress and just use our brand new Asphalt Tonnage and Hot Mix Calculator. This isn’t your standard American hot mix calculator, it includes the metric system so if you aren’t imperial you won’t have to worry. No calculations. No mess. Just hot mix.