One cubic foot of asphalt typically weighs about 145 pounds (65.8 kg). This can vary slightly depending on the specific mix and compaction of the asphalt, but 145 pounds per cubic foot is the industry standard for calculations.

For comparison, concrete weighs about 150 pounds per cubic foot, water weighs 62.4 pounds per cubic foot, and crushed stone typically weighs between 100-120 pounds per cubic foot depending on the type.

A standard dump truck can typically carry 14-16 tons of asphalt. Larger semi-trailer trucks can carry 20-24 tons. The exact capacity depends on the truck size and local weight restrictions for road travel.

When planning for deliveries, it's important to consider that asphalt must be kept hot during transport to maintain workability. For this reason, asphalt is typically delivered in insulated trucks, and the delivery distance is a factor in how much can be transported at once.

The total weight of asphalt remains the same after compaction, but its density increases as the volume decreases. Asphalt typically compacts by about 20% during installation, which means the same weight of material will cover less area after proper compaction.

This is why it's important to account for compaction when estimating how much asphalt you need. The calculations in this calculator are based on the final compacted density of asphalt, which is what you need for ordering purposes.

This calculator provides accurate estimates based on industry-standard conversion factors. The default density of 145 lbs/ft³ (2,322 kg/m³) is the standard for hot mix asphalt, which is the most commonly used type.

For the most accurate results, you can adjust the density value if you know the specific density of your asphalt mix. For precise project planning, we recommend adding a 5-10% waste factor to account for spillage, compaction variations, and uneven surfaces.