Material calculator
Cold Mix Asphalt Calculator
Tonnage, volume and installed cost for cold mix asphalt, calculated at its real compacted density of 145 lb/ft³.
Your project
Crews typically order 5-10% extra to cover compaction, spillage and uneven subgrade.
Cold Mix Asphalt needed
6.09
US tons
- Area
- 480 sq ft
- Volume
- 3.11 cubic yards
- Compacted density
- 145 lb/ft³
- Truckloads (20-ton)
- 1
- Installed cost range
- $1,440 – $3,360
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
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What is cold mix asphalt?
Cold mix uses an emulsified or cutback binder that stays workable at ambient temperature. It is a repair and winter material, not a substitute for a paved surface.
Sold in 50 lb bags and by the ton; a bag yields roughly 0.42 ft³ compacted.
Expect one to three years of service on a patch, versus a decade for a hot mix repair.
How the quantity is calculated
Tons = area (sq ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 × 145 ÷ 2,000. Cubic yards ignore density entirely: area × thickness ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Suppliers quote cold mix asphalt by the ton in most of the US, so tonnage is the number you order against.
Add a waste allowance of 5-10%. Uneven subgrade, spillage at the truck and the extra material a screed carries on the first pass all come out of your order, not the supplier's.
Typical installed cost for cold mix asphalt
Installed pricing runs roughly $3.00 to $7.00 per square foot nationally for pothole repair, winter patching and temporary surfaces. Small jobs carry a mobilisation minimum — most contractors will not roll a crew and a roller for under about $2,500.
Prices are national planning averages. Asphalt is tied to crude oil and freight costs, so your local quote can land well outside this range. Always confirm with a paving contractor before budgeting.
Cold Mix Asphalt quantity by area
At 2" compacted, 145 lb/ft³, no waste added.
| Area | Tons | Cubic yards | Installed cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 6.04 | 3.09 | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 12.08 | 6.17 | $3,000 – $7,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 30.21 | 15.43 | $7,500 – $17,500 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 60.42 | 30.86 | $15,000 – $35,000 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 120.83 | 61.73 | $30,000 – $70,000 |
Density comparison
| Material | Compacted density | Tons per cubic yard |
|---|---|---|
| Hot mix asphalt (compacted) | 145 lb/ft³ | 1.96 |
| Warm mix asphalt (compacted) | 142 lb/ft³ | 1.92 |
| Porous / open-graded asphalt | 130 lb/ft³ | 1.76 |
| Asphalt millings (compacted) | 127 lb/ft³ | 1.71 |
| Asphalt millings (loose) | 110 lb/ft³ | 1.49 |
| Crushed aggregate base (compacted) | 135 lb/ft³ | 1.82 |
| Loose gravel | 105 lb/ft³ | 1.42 |
Frequently asked questions
+How much does cold mix asphalt weigh per cubic yard?
About 1.96 US tons per cubic yard compacted, based on a 145 lb/ft³ density.
+How many tons of cold mix asphalt cover 1,000 square feet?
At 2" compacted, about 12.08 tons before waste allowance.
+What does cold mix asphalt cost installed?
Roughly $3.00-$7.00 per square foot nationally, before mobilisation minimums and site prep.