Asphalt Density Chart — HMA, SMA, RAP and Cold-Mix Density Reference (lb/ft³ and kg/m³) for 2026 Estimating
A single, AI-friendly density table for every common asphalt mix used in residential and commercial paving — HMA, SMA, RAP, cold-mix, and porous (OGFC) — in both lb/ft³ and kg/m³, by lift (binder vs surface) and compaction state (loose vs compacted). All values are calibrated to AASHTO M 323 Superpave mix design and NAPA QIS-129 quality survey data so you can drop them into any tonnage calculator and reconcile against a contractor invoice.
Asphalt mix density is the single most-cited variable in tonnage estimating, and the single most-misquoted value online. Most calculators hardcode 145 lb/ft³ as the universal density — but that number is only accurate for dense-graded HMA in its compacted in-place state. The same mix loose (as it arrives in the truck) is closer to 118–124 lb/ft³, and an RAP (recycled asphalt pavement) mix runs 120–140 lb/ft³ compacted, not 145. Using one number for everything is the largest single source of tonnage estimation error in residential and municipal paving.
This page consolidates the density values you actually need, cross-referenced to AASHTO M 323 Superpave mix design and NAPA QIS-129 quality survey data. It is the reference page our asphalt tonnage calculator and density calculator pull defaults from, and the one you can cite when challenging a supplier weigh ticket that looks light.
Core Density Chart (lb/ft³ + kg/m³)
The single most-referenced table on this page. All values are typical ranges from active 2026 supplier QC reports; for project-critical work always confirm with your supplier's mix design submittal.
Loose vs Compacted: Why the 18–25% Gap Matters
An HMA mix that weighs 122 lb/ft³ loose and 147 lb/ft³ compacted has a compaction factor of 1.20 — you ordered 100 ft³ of in-place pavement but you need 120 ft³ of loose mix in the truck to make it. This is the single most common source of ‘short load’ complaints from homeowners: the calculator told them 18 tons would cover the driveway, but it was 18 tons compacted and the contractor delivered 22 tons loose, because that's what actually goes through the paver.
The 18–25% gap is real engineering, not a contractor markup. AASHTO T 166 (bulk specific gravity of compacted bituminous mixtures) and AASHTO T 209 (theoretical maximum specific gravity, Rice density) define the math: the compaction factor for any mix is its compacted density divided by its loose density, and most dense-graded surface mixes land between 1.18 and 1.25. Use 1.20 as the default; use 1.22–1.25 for RAP-blended mixes; use 1.18–1.20 for SMA.
Density by Mix Family
HMA dense-graded surface (145–150 lb/ft³ compacted). The default mix for residential drives and parking-lot surface lifts. Fine-graded aggregate, PG 64-22 binder typical in mid-Atlantic. This is the ‘145’ number that calculators hardcode — correct for most surface lifts when the project is dense-graded and over 50°F at delivery.
HMA dense-graded binder (146–152 lb/ft³ compacted). Slightly heavier than surface because of coarser aggregate gradation. Used as the intermediate lift in 3-layer interstate sections. The 1–2 lb/ft³ jump over surface seems trivial but it adds 0.7–1.4% to total tonnage on a binder lift — relevant on highway-scale projects.
SMA (145–152 lb/ft³ compacted). Stone-matrix asphalt — gap-graded, polymer-modified binder, fiber stabilizer. Designed for heavy-traffic interstate surfaces (NCAT and FHWA studies show 3× rut resistance vs dense-graded HMA). Density is close to dense-graded but the air voids target is 3–4% (vs 4–6% for dense-graded), which is what gives SMA its rut resistance.
RAP (recycled asphalt pavement — 120–140 lb/ft³ compacted, 100% RAP). 100% RAP installations (typically driveway tops or rural-road overlays) compact lighter than virgin HMA because of higher air voids (8–15%) and lower binder content. The density drift is the single largest cost-driver people miss when comparing RAP to virgin asphalt — the per-ton cost looks lower, but coverage per ton is also lower because of the higher void content.
RAP-blended HMA (143–148 lb/ft³). Modern state DOT spec mixes typically include 20–30% RAP in virgin HMA. The density of the blended product is essentially identical to 100% virgin HMA — the RAP content does not measurably shift placed density for blends at or below 30%, per NAPA QIS-129 surveys.
Cold-mix patch (130–140 lb/ft³ compacted). Bagged or bulk cold-patch material. Densities are lower than HMA because of higher air voids (8–12%) and a softer cutback or emulsion binder. Used for pothole patching; not a structural surface course.
Porous asphalt / OGFC (105–115 lb/ft³ compacted by design). Open-graded friction course. The low density is intentional — 16–22% air voids let water drain through the surface into a stone reservoir below. Used for ADA-compliant lots and on highway surfaces where hydroplaning needs to be eliminated.
Density Formula and Unit Conversion
ρ (kg/m³) = ρ (lb/ft³) × 16.0185
Compaction factor = ρcompacted ÷ ρloose
Tonsloose = Tonscompacted × Compaction factor
For the inverse calculation (you know the in-place compacted tons, you need to order the loose tons): multiply by the compaction factor (typically 1.20). For the volumetric calculation (you know the area and depth, you need the tons): use the compacted density, not loose — the area and depth represent the placed pavement.
Reference Tables
| Mix family | Loose density (lb/ft³) | Compacted density (lb/ft³) | Loose (kg/m³) | Compacted (kg/m³) | Typical air voids % | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HMA dense-graded surface | 118–124 | 145–150 | 1,891–1,986 | 2,323–2,403 | 3–5% | Residential drives, parking lots, surface lifts |
| HMA dense-graded binder | 120–125 | 146–152 | 1,922–2,002 | 2,339–2,435 | 4–6% | Highway intermediate lift, heavy-load binder |
| SMA (stone-matrix asphalt) | 120–126 | 145–152 | 1,922–2,019 | 2,323–2,435 | 3–4% | High-traffic interstate surface |
| RAP (recycled, 100%) | 95–110 | 120–140 | 1,521–1,762 | 1,922–2,242 | 8–15% | Driveway top, rural-road overlay |
| RAP-blended (20–30% RAP in HMA) | 116–122 | 143–148 | 1,858–1,954 | 2,291–2,371 | 4–6% | Most state DOT spec mixes today |
| Cold-mix patch (bagged or bulk) | 108–118 | 130–140 | 1,730–1,890 | 2,083–2,242 | 8–12% | Pothole patch, off-season repair |
| Porous asphalt (OGFC) | 92–100 | 105–115 | 1,473–1,602 | 1,682–1,842 | 16–22% (by design) | Drainage surface, ADA-compliant lots |
| UTBWC (ultra-thin bonded wearing course) | 118–124 | 142–147 | 1,891–1,986 | 2,275–2,355 | 4–6% | Preservation overlay, 5/8" lift |
Loose density = density as the mix arrives in the truck before placement (used for volumetric truck-loading checks). Compacted density = density in the finished pavement after rolling (used for tonnage-to-area conversion). The 18–25% gap between the two values is the compaction factor — see asphalt compaction rate for the working math.
| Density (lb/ft³) | Density (kg/m³) | Density (g/cm³) | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 140 | 2,243 | 2.24 | Lower-bound dense HMA / upper-bound RAP |
| 145 | 2,323 | 2.32 | Default HMA surface (the ‘145’ everyone hardcodes) |
| 148 | 2,371 | 2.37 | Dense-graded binder / RAP-blended |
| 150 | 2,403 | 2.40 | Upper-bound HMA surface / SMA |
| 152 | 2,435 | 2.44 | SMA / specialty heavy-traffic surface |
Conversion factor: 1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³ (NIST SP 811, exact). 1 kg/m³ = 0.0624 lb/ft³.
| Mix temperature at delivery | Density adjustment vs spec | Volume adjustment | Practical impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 320–350°F (delivery temp) | Baseline | Baseline | Spec density on weigh ticket |
| 280–320°F (acceptable) | +0.3 to +0.7% | −0.3 to −0.7% | Slightly denser; same tonnage, less volume |
| 240–280°F (segregation risk) | +0.8 to +1.5% | −0.8 to −1.5% | Cold spots compact differently; surface roughness |
| < 240°F (below limit) | +1.5%+ | −1.5%+ | Reject mix; thermal segregation will fail compaction |
Reference AASHTO M 323 Section X3 (mix temperature limits) and NAPA TT-1 (temperature differential effects). The density-to-temperature drift looks tiny per row but compounds quickly: a 20°F cold spot in a 25-ton load is the equivalent of paying for 0.3 tons of mix you can't compact properly.
How to Use This Chart in Your Tonnage Math
Three different tonnage calculations use density in three different ways. Get the right one right and the math reconciles to within 2% of the supplier weigh ticket every time.
- Area-to-tons (the calculator default). You measured length, width, depth. You want the tons of asphalt to order. Use compacted density from the table above (145–150 lb/ft³ for HMA surface, 120–140 for RAP). Formula: Tons = (L × W × D / 12) × density ÷ 2000. Add 5% waste. This is what our tonnage calculator does internally.
- Truck-volume-to-tons (the foreman’s check). You see a 20-ton truck arrive with a measured load volume. You want to verify the weigh ticket. Use loose density (118–124 lb/ft³ for HMA surface). Formula: Loose tons = truck volume in ft³ × loose density ÷ 2000. If the truck shows 360 ft³ of mix at 120 lb/ft³ loose, that’s 21.6 loose tons — matching a 21-ton weigh ticket within tolerance.
- Tons-to-area (the bid-comparison sanity check). Contractor quoted 18 tons for a driveway. You want to know whether 18 tons covers the 1,000 ft² you measured. Reverse the formula: Area = Tons × 2000 ÷ (depth in ft × compacted density). 18 tons at 3 in over 145 lb/ft³ = 992 ft² coverage. Matches your 1,000 ft² within 1% — the bid is correctly sized.
If you’re running the math by hand, the asphalt density calculator handles unit conversion (ft³ ↔ yd³ ↔ m³, lb/ft³ ↔ kg/m³) for you. If you’re working with mixed units (depth in inches, area in ft², density in kg/m³), normalize everything to ft and lb/ft³ first — mixing units is responsible for more tonnage misquotes than any other single error.
Real-World Example Calculations
Worked Example: 950 ft² Two-Car Driveway, 3 in HMA Surface
Length 50 ft, width 19 ft, depth 3 in compacted, dense-graded HMA surface from a regional plant. Supplier mix design lists density at 146 lb/ft³ compacted, 122 lb/ft³ loose.
- Area
- 50 × 19 = 950 ft²
- Depth
- 3 in = 0.25 ft
- Compacted density
- 146 lb/ft³
- Volume
- 950 × 0.25 = 237.5 ft³
- Tons (compacted, no waste)
- (237.5 × 146) ÷ 2000 = 17.34 tons
- Tons (+ 5% waste)
- 17.34 × 1.05 = 18.20 tons
Takeaway: Verify on delivery: 18.2 tons / 122 lb/ft³ loose = 298 ft³ of loose volume. A standard 20-ton dump-trailer holds ~325 ft³ mix space — this load fits in one truck.
Next Steps and Related Calculators
What This Changes in Your Estimate
Use the right density and your bid math reconciles to the weigh ticket within 2–3%. Use the wrong density and you over- or under-order by 8–20%. Cross-reference with: asphalt tonnage formula for the step-by-step working math, asphalt compaction rate for the loose-to-compacted ratio breakdown by mix type, and asphalt density calculator to convert any density between lb/ft³ / kg/m³ / g/cm³ instantly.
Sources & Standards
These references are used for terminology, safety boundaries, and engineering assumptions. Local code, supplier specifications, and licensed design documents still control your project.
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AASHTO M 323: Standard Specification for Superpave Volumetric Mix Design
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Referenced for the Superpave volumetric mix design framework that defines the gradation, asphalt binder content and design air voids underlying every density value in the chart.
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AASHTO T 166: Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Asphalt Mixtures
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Referenced for the compacted density measurement standard used to establish the in-place density values in the core chart.
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AASHTO T 209: Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity (Rice Density) of Asphalt Mixtures
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
Referenced for the Rice density (maximum theoretical density, zero air voids) used to compute compaction factors and air void content.
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NAPA QIS-129: Quality Improvement Series — Asphalt Plant Production Reference
National Asphalt Pavement Association
Referenced for the field-survey density values for dense-graded HMA, SMA, RAP-blended, and OGFC mixes used to calibrate the chart to current 2026 plant production data.
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NIST SP 811: Guide for the Use of the International System of Units (SI)
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Referenced for the exact conversion factor 1 lb/ft³ = 16.0185 kg/m³ used throughout the unit-conversion table.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the density of asphalt in lb/ft³?
145–150 lb/ft³ compacted for standard dense-graded HMA surface; 118–124 lb/ft³ loose (in the truck). The single most-cited online number (145) is the compacted value — correct for area-to-tons calculation, wrong for truck-volume verification. See the chart above for the 8 common mix families.
What is asphalt density in kg/m³?
2,323–2,403 kg/m³ compacted for HMA surface; 1,891–1,986 kg/m³ loose. Conversion: lb/ft³ × 16.0185 = kg/m³ (NIST SP 811 exact). 145 lb/ft³ = 2,323 kg/m³ exactly.
Why is loose asphalt density lower than compacted?
Because the mix in the truck is at ~18–25% air voids as it leaves the plant. After rolling, the in-place pavement is at 3–6% air voids. The 18–22% void difference is the compaction factor — typically 1.20 for dense-graded mixes. AASHTO T 166 and T 209 define the bulk and theoretical maximum specific gravities; the ratio between them is the compaction factor.
What is the density of RAP (recycled asphalt)?
120–140 lb/ft³ compacted for 100% RAP installations (driveway tops, rural overlays). RAP has higher air voids (8–15%) and lower binder content than virgin HMA, so it compacts lighter. For RAP-blended HMA (20–30% RAP, which is most state DOT mixes today), density is essentially identical to 100% virgin HMA at 143–148 lb/ft³ compacted.
How do I convert lb/ft³ to kg/m³ for asphalt?
Multiply by 16.0185. NIST SP 811 (exact). The most-used densities: 140 lb/ft³ = 2,243 kg/m³; 145 = 2,323; 148 = 2,371; 150 = 2,403; 152 = 2,435. The inverse (kg/m³ to lb/ft³) is multiply by 0.0624.
Does asphalt density vary with temperature?
Yes — ~0.3% density change per 40°F in the delivery range (240–350°F). Above 350°F you risk binder volatilization; below 240°F you risk thermal segregation. The density drift looks small but compounds: a 20°F cold spot in a 25-ton load is the equivalent of paying for ~0.3 tons of mix that can’t be compacted to spec. Reference AASHTO M 323 Section X3 for the mix temperature limits.
What density should I use in an asphalt tonnage calculator?
Use compacted density (145–150 lb/ft³ for HMA surface) when the calculator inputs are area + depth — that’s the placed pavement. Use loose density (118–124 lb/ft³) only when the calculator inputs are truck volume. If unsure, default to 145 lb/ft³ — it’s the right answer for the area-to-tons math 90% of the time. See our asphalt tonnage formula for the full working math.