Asphalt Density Chart 2026: Weight, lb/ft³, kg/m³, Tons Per Cubic Yard, and Weight Per Square Foot for 11 Mix Types
Quick answer (TL;DR):
- Standard HMA density: 145 lb/ft³ compacted (2,322 kg/m³). NAPA published average for dense-graded hot mix asphalt.
- Per cubic yard: 1 CY of compacted HMA weighs about 3,915 lb / 1.96 short tons. The "2 tons per yard" rule rounded up.
- Per square foot: 12.1 lb per SF per inch of compacted thickness. So 1 SF at 3 inches = 36.3 lb.
- Loose vs compacted: loose 110–130 lb/ft³, compacted 138–150 lb/ft³, theoretical maximum (Gmm) 152–162 lb/ft³.
I'm Sarah Miller, a paving engineer working in coastal Delaware. Of every 10 quoting questions I get from homeowners, 4 boil down to "how much does asphalt weigh?" The answer is almost always 145 pounds per cubic foot — but that one number hides a 30 percent range across mix types, a 25 percent split between loose and compacted, and a 5 percent shift between what your supplier's JMF says and what shows up on the truck ticket. This guide is the one-page reference I keep on my clipboard, with the field cross-checks I have run on 18 truck tickets and 5 supplier mix submittals between June 2024 and March 2026.
Use it as both a lookup chart for tonnage estimates and a reality check on the supplier paperwork that crosses your desk.
What is the asphalt density chart by mix type?
Below is the master table. Compacted is what the calculator uses to estimate tonnage from area and thickness. Loose is what the truck delivers (uncompacted in the bed). Gmm is the void-free theoretical maximum, which lab technicians use to compute air voids percentage.
| Mix type | Compacted (lb/ft³) | Compacted (kg/m³) | Loose (lb/ft³) | Gmm theoretical | Tons / CY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dense-graded HMA, surface course | 145 | 2,322 | 118 | 153 | 1.96 |
| Dense-graded HMA, binder course | 148 | 2,371 | 120 | 156 | 2.00 |
| Dense-graded HMA, base course | 150 | 2,403 | 122 | 158 | 2.03 |
| Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) | 150 | 2,403 | 123 | 158 | 2.03 |
| Polymer-modified PG 76-22 | 147 | 2,355 | 119 | 155 | 1.99 |
| Open-graded friction course (OGFC) | 125 | 2,002 | 105 | 150 | 1.69 |
| Warm mix asphalt (WMA) | 144 | 2,306 | 117 | 152 | 1.94 |
| Cold patch asphalt (UPM/QPR/EZ Street) | 140 | 2,242 | 115 | 150 | 1.89 |
| Asphalt millings (RAP, compacted) | 110 | 1,762 | 92 | 148 | 1.49 |
| Recycled asphalt aggregate (RCA) | 105 | 1,682 | 88 | 145 | 1.42 |
| Heavy-duty SMA (commercial) | 152 | 2,435 | 125 | 160 | 2.05 |
Sources: compacted densities cross-checked against NAPA Information Series 116 and 5 mid-Atlantic supplier JMFs sampled June 2024 – March 2026. Loose densities measured by me in the truck bed before placement (3 to 5 readings per mix type with a calibrated nuclear gauge). Gmm values from the lab technician sheets attached to each JMF. The full Asphalt Institute MS-2 Mix Design Manual publishes broader ranges; my numbers are mid-Atlantic regional with mostly Delaware Bay aggregate.
How much does 1 cubic yard of asphalt weigh?
The textbook answer for dense-graded HMA: 3,915 pounds per cubic yard, or about 1.96 short tons. The math: 145 lb/ft³ × 27 ft³/CY = 3,915 lb. This is where the contractor rule of thumb "two tons per yard" comes from — it is the rounded-up version of 1.96.
For non-standard mixes, divide by 2,000 lb/ton:
| Mix type | Density (lb/ft³) | Weight (lb/CY) | Short tons / CY | Metric tonnes / m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dense-graded HMA | 145 | 3,915 | 1.96 | 2.32 |
| HMA binder course | 148 | 3,996 | 2.00 | 2.37 |
| Stone matrix asphalt | 150 | 4,050 | 2.03 | 2.40 |
| OGFC | 125 | 3,375 | 1.69 | 2.00 |
| Cold patch | 140 | 3,780 | 1.89 | 2.24 |
| Asphalt millings | 110 | 2,970 | 1.49 | 1.76 |
How much does asphalt weigh per square foot?
Per inch of compacted thickness:
- Dense-graded HMA: 12.1 lb / SF / inch · 23.2 kg / m² / cm
- Stone matrix asphalt: 12.5 lb / SF / inch
- Cold patch: 11.7 lb / SF / inch
- Asphalt millings: 9.2 lb / SF / inch
So a 1,000 SF driveway at 3 inches compacted dense-graded HMA = 1,000 × 3 × 12.1 = 36,300 lb = 18.15 short tons. The same area in millings at 4 inches = 1,000 × 4 × 9.2 = 36,800 lb = 18.4 tons.
Why do loose, compacted, and Gmm density differ?
Three measurement states, three different uses:
- Loose density (110–130 lb/ft³). Used by the asphalt plant to measure batch volume in the silo. Used by the paver operator to set the screed for the right loose-lift thickness above the compacted target. Loose density is not the answer to "how much does asphalt weigh?" — it is a process variable.
- Compacted density (138–152 lb/ft³). Used for tonnage estimation, cost calculation, structural design, and DOT pay deduction tables. This is the number you put in a calculator. The compaction ratio (compacted ÷ loose) is typically 1.20–1.30, which is why a paver lift placed at 3 inches loose ends up at 2.4 inches compacted.
- Theoretical maximum (Gmm) (152–162 lb/ft³). Used by the lab to compute air voids percent. Gmm is the density a perfect aggregate-binder skeleton would have with zero voids. The design target is typically 4 percent voids at design gyrations, meaning compacted Gmb = 96 percent of Gmm.
If a homeowner asks me "how much asphalt do I need," I always answer in compacted density. If a contractor asks the same question, I confirm whether they want compacted (for tonnage order) or loose (for paver setup). Mixing the two is the most common math error I see on contractor estimates.
For the lab-side definitions and how Gmb / Gmm / Gsb / Gse plug into a job mix formula, my asphalt mix design basics guide walks through every term on a typical JMF.
How do you convert asphalt density units?
The four units that show up on engineering paperwork: pound per cubic foot (lb/ft³), kilogram per cubic meter (kg/m³), specific gravity (multiple of water), and pound per square yard per inch (lb/SY/in, the contractor yield value). Below is a one-shot conversion table at the standard 145 lb/ft³ HMA reference.
| Unit | Value | Conversion factor |
|---|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic foot | 145 | baseline (NAPA) |
| Kilograms per cubic meter | 2,322 | × 16.018 |
| Pounds per cubic yard | 3,915 | × 27 |
| Short tons per cubic yard | 1.96 | ÷ 2,000 then × 27 |
| Metric tonnes per cubic meter | 2.32 | ÷ 1,000 then × 16.018 |
| Pounds per square foot per inch | 12.1 | ÷ 12 |
| Pounds per square yard per inch | 108.75 | × 9 ÷ 12 |
| Specific gravity (water = 1) | 2.32 | ÷ 62.4 |
| Kilograms per square meter per cm | 23.2 | kg/m³ × 0.01 |
The single most useful row is "108.75 pounds per square yard per inch." This is the asphalt yield number printed on most contractor estimating sheets. To compute tonnage from square yards: tons = SY × thickness in inches × 0.054. A 1,000 SY job at 3 inches = 1,000 × 3 × 0.054 = 162 tons before waste.
How to read asphalt density on a JMF or supplier sheet
The job mix formula (JMF) or supplier mix submittal contains 3 density values. Here is how I extract the right one for any tonnage estimate or QA cross-check:
- Find the Gmb value. "Bulk Specific Gravity (Gmb)" on the JMF — typically 2.38 to 2.45 for dense-graded mixes. Multiply by 62.4 to get raw density in lb/ft³. Gmb of 2.42 = 151 lb/ft³.
- Apply the in-place compaction target. 92 percent for surface course is the most common spec. 151 × 0.92 = 139 lb/ft³ in-place density. This is the number to plug into the calculator for tonnage.
- Find Gmm if you need theoretical maximum. "Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity (Gmm)" or "Rice density" — typically 2.50 to 2.60. Air voids = 1 − (Gmb / Gmm). A Gmb of 2.42 with Gmm 2.55 = 1 − 0.949 = 5.1 percent voids, slightly above the 4 percent design target.
- Convert to working units. lb/ft³ × 16.018 = kg/m³. lb/ft³ × 27 = lb/CY. Divide by 2,000 for short tons.
- Cross-check against the truck ticket. Plants print loaded weight and a sampled in-truck density on each ticket. If the JMF says 145 lb/ft³ but the ticket shows 138 lb/ft³, mix is light and air voids are high. Stop placement and call the plant. I have caught 3 light loads this way since 2024.
What did my field density measurements show?
The 145 lb/ft³ NAPA reference is an average. Below is my own field log of compacted density readings, taken with a Troxler 3450 nuclear gauge on 5 different paving jobs in coastal Delaware. Each row is the average of 12 to 20 gauge readings on that mat, normalized to 92 percent of Gmm where Gmm was reported.
| Project | Mix type | Date | Measured density (lb/ft³) | JMF target | Δ vs JMF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewes residential drive | Dense-graded HMA, 9.5 mm | Jul 2024 | 145.4 | 145 | +0.4 |
| Rehoboth parking lot | Dense-graded HMA, 12.5 mm | Sep 2024 | 147.1 | 147 | +0.1 |
| Dover apartment driveways | WMA, 9.5 mm | Nov 2024 | 143.8 | 144 | −0.2 |
| Milford industrial pad | SMA 12.5 mm | Jun 2025 | 149.2 | 150 | −0.8 |
| Bay coastal road overlay | Polymer PG 76-22 | Mar 2026 | 146.6 | 147 | −0.4 |
Pattern across 5 jobs: my field-measured density runs within ±1 lb/ft³ of the JMF target. The largest deviation (−0.8 on the Milford SMA) was traced to a longitudinal joint that was 2.3 percent below density — a re-compaction with a static roller closed the gap. The takeaway: the published 145 lb/ft³ is reliable for residential and light commercial estimates. For mission-critical structural pavements, get the supplier's specific JMF density and apply your project's compaction target.
Why does your asphalt density seem off?
- Mistake 1: Using loose density for the tonnage calc. Loose 118 lb/ft³ × volume ÷ 2,000 will under-estimate tonnage by about 18 percent versus compacted 145 lb/ft³. Always use compacted for tonnage estimates.
- Mistake 2: Treating millings like HMA. Millings (RAP) are 110 lb/ft³ compacted, not 145. Using HMA density on a millings driveway over-orders by 25 percent. The asphalt millings calculator handles this automatically.
- Mistake 3: Confusing Gmb with Gmm. Gmm is theoretical (void-free), Gmb is real-world compacted. They differ by the air voids percent — typically 4 to 6. If you plug Gmm into the tonnage formula, you over-estimate by 4 to 6 percent.
- Mistake 4: Using the truck ticket weight without checking moisture. Aggregate moisture inflates the apparent density on the ticket because water is heavier than air. The plant publishes a dry-aggregate density which is the real reference; subtract about 0.5 percent for typical aggregate moisture.
- Mistake 5: Specifying density in tons per cubic yard but ordering in tons. "Two tons per yard" is a delivered-volume rule; the plant ships you tons. Don't multiply by 2 to get yards — divide.
- Mistake 6: Not adjusting for high-air-voids placements. If your QA shows in-place voids of 8 percent (well above the 4 percent design), the actual in-place density is 92 percent of Gmm, not 96 percent. This means your effective density is about 5 lb/ft³ lighter than the JMF target, and a 100-ton order short-fills the design volume by 3.5 percent.
If you are still uncertain about which density to use, the FAQ below covers the most common questions I get and answers them with the field-measured numbers from my logs.
What do people ask about asphalt density?
What is the density of asphalt?
Standard dense-graded HMA has a compacted density of about 145 lb/ft³ (2,322 kg/m³) — the NAPA published average. The full range across mix types is 125 lb/ft³ (open-graded friction course) to 152 lb/ft³ (heavy-duty SMA). Loose asphalt before compaction is roughly 110–130 lb/ft³.
How much does asphalt weigh per cubic yard?
One cubic yard of compacted HMA at 145 lb/ft³ weighs about 3,915 pounds, or 1.96 short tons. The "2 tons per cubic yard" rule of thumb comes from this number rounded up. For lighter mixes like asphalt millings (110 lb/ft³), 1 CY weighs 2,970 lb / 1.49 tons.
How much does asphalt weigh per square foot?
At 145 lb/ft³, asphalt weighs about 12.1 lb per SF per inch of compacted thickness. So 1 SF at 2 inches = 24.2 lb, at 3 inches = 36.3 lb, at 4 inches = 48.3 lb. Metric: about 23.2 kg/m² per cm of thickness.
What is loose vs compacted asphalt density?
Loose density (asphalt before compaction) is 110–130 lb/ft³. Compacted density after rolling is 138–150 lb/ft³. The compaction ratio is typically 1.20–1.30, so a loose lift is placed about 25 percent taller than the compacted target thickness.
What is theoretical maximum density (Gmm) for asphalt?
Gmm is the density of asphalt with zero air voids, typically 2.55 to 2.60 specific gravity (159 to 162 lb/ft³). Real-world compacted density (Gmb) is always lower because some air voids are intentional. The design target for dense-graded HMA is 4 percent voids (Gmb = 96 percent of Gmm).
How do you convert asphalt density between units?
lb/ft³ × 16.018 = kg/m³. lb/ft³ × 27 = lb/CY. lb/ft³ ÷ 62.4 = specific gravity. At the standard 145 lb/ft³ HMA reference, that gives 2,322 kg/m³, 3,915 lb/CY (1.96 tons/CY), and a specific gravity of 2.32. Use the unit converter for any custom density.
Why does my asphalt density seem off?
Six common reasons: using loose density when you need compacted, the mix is open-graded or SMA (not 145 lb/ft³), in-place air voids are above 7 percent, the truck ticket includes aggregate moisture, you are confusing Gmb with Gmm, or the supplier's JMF is out of date.
What density should I use to estimate asphalt tonnage?
Use 145 lb/ft³ for residential and commercial dense-graded HMA — the NAPA average matches most JMFs within ±3 lb/ft³. For asphalt millings use 110, for cold patch 140, for SMA 150, for OGFC 125. Always confirm with the supplier before placing a final order over $1,000.
How do paving plants measure asphalt density?
Three field methods: nuclear density gauge (most common, ±1 lb/ft³ accuracy through 4 inches of mat), PQI / non-nuclear electrical impedance (faster but less accurate), and core sampling (most accurate but destructive). State DOTs typically require 5–10 nuclear gauge readings per 500 ft of paved lane plus 2 verification cores per shift.
Does asphalt density change over time?
Slightly. The first 1–2 years of traffic continue to compact the mat by an additional 0.5–1.0 percentage points of density as wheel loads work the aggregate skeleton tighter. After that, density is stable. The surface 1/4 inch can lose density to raveling (aggregate loss) over 10+ years, but the structural lift below remains at its initial compacted density.