What is the density of asphalt?
Compacted hot mix asphalt weighs about 145 pounds per cubic foot (lb/ft³) as a generic value. That works out to 3,915 pounds, or about 1.96 US short tons, per cubic yard: 145 × 27 ÷ 2,000 = 1.9575. The actual density depends on the mix design and compaction, so confirm a mix-specific value with the supplier.
Asphalt density in common units
| Unit | Value | Arithmetic |
|---|---|---|
| Pounds per cubic foot | 145 lb/ft³ | generic compacted hot mix |
| Pounds per cubic yard | 3,915 lb | 145 × 27 |
| Short tons per cubic yard | ≈ 1.96 | 3,915 ÷ 2,000 |
| Kilograms per cubic meter | ≈ 2,323 kg/m³ | 145 × 16.018 |
| Pounds per SY per inch of depth | 108.75 lb | 9 × (1 ÷ 12) × 145 |
Compacted asphalt density versus millings and loose material
The 145 lb/ft³ figure describes compacted mix in place, so pair it with the compacted thickness from the pavement section. Compacted asphalt millings (RAP) use a lower generic 125 lb/ft³, and loose millings weigh substantially less. The site’s material table has no generic value for loose hot mix; ask the plant for one.