Material calculator
Warm Mix Asphalt Calculator
Tonnage, volume and installed cost for warm mix asphalt, calculated at its real compacted density of 142 lb/ft³.
Your project
Crews typically order 5-10% extra to cover compaction, spillage and uneven subgrade.
Warm Mix Asphalt needed
5.96
US tons
- Area
- 480 sq ft
- Volume
- 3.11 cubic yards
- Compacted density
- 142 lb/ft³
- Truckloads (20-ton)
- 1
- Installed cost range
- $3,360 – $7,200
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.
What is warm mix asphalt?
Warm mix asphalt (WMA) uses additives or foaming to produce and place at 50-100°F lower than hot mix. It hauls further, extends the paving season and cuts plant emissions.
Compacted density runs slightly lower than HMA at about 142 lb/ft³.
Longer workable window means better compaction on jobs far from the plant.
How the quantity is calculated
Tons = area (sq ft) × thickness (in) ÷ 12 × 142 ÷ 2,000. Cubic yards ignore density entirely: area × thickness ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Suppliers quote warm 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 warm mix asphalt
Installed pricing runs roughly $7.00 to $15.00 per square foot nationally for long-haul jobs, cool-weather paving and night work. 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.
Warm Mix Asphalt quantity by area
At 2" compacted, 142 lb/ft³, no waste added.
| Area | Tons | Cubic yards | Installed cost range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 5.92 | 3.09 | $3,500 – $7,500 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 11.83 | 6.17 | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 29.58 | 15.43 | $17,500 – $37,500 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 59.17 | 30.86 | $35,000 – $75,000 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 118.33 | 61.73 | $70,000 – $150,000 |
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 warm mix asphalt weigh per cubic yard?
About 1.92 US tons per cubic yard compacted, based on a 142 lb/ft³ density.
+How many tons of warm mix asphalt cover 1,000 square feet?
At 2" compacted, about 11.83 tons before waste allowance.
+What does warm mix asphalt cost installed?
Roughly $7.00-$15.00 per square foot nationally, before mobilisation minimums and site prep.