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Bitumen Calculator

Bitumen Calculator

Calculate the required quantities of bitumen and aggregates for your pavement construction project.

Dimensions
Mix Properties
%
Cost Estimation (Optional)
$ / tonne

Results Panel

Your calculated material quantities will appear here after you enter the project parameters and click "Calculate".

How the Bitumen Calculator Works

The Bitumen Calculator uses your project dimensions and mix design data to estimate total mix volume, total weight, bitumen quantity, aggregate quantity, and optional project cost, using consistent engineering units for accurate results.

  1. 1

    Standardize Units

    All inputs are converted into base units to avoid errors: length & width to meters (m), thickness to meters (m) from mm, cm, or inches, and density to kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³), including conversion from lb/ft³.

  2. 2

    Calculate Mix Volume (m³)

    The tool calculates the asphalt mix volume based on your inputs:

    Volume = Length (m) × Width (m) × Thickness (m)

  3. 3

    Calculate Total Mix Weight

    Using the selected mix density, the calculator finds:

    Total Mix Weight (kg) = Volume (m³) × Mix Density (kg/m³)

    Total Mix Weight (tonnes) = Total Mix Weight (kg) ÷ 1000

  4. 4

    Bitumen Content Breakdown

    Based on your entered bitumen percentage, the tool isolates the binder:

    Bitumen Weight (kg) = Total Mix Weight (kg) × (Bitumen % ÷ 100)

    Bitumen Weight (tonnes) = Bitumen Weight (kg) ÷ 1000

  5. 5

    Aggregate Quantity

    The remaining weight is assigned to aggregates:

    Aggregate Weight (kg) = Total Mix Weight (kg) − Bitumen Weight (kg)

    Aggregate Weight (tonnes) = Aggregate Weight (kg) ÷ 1000

  6. 6

    Cost Estimation (Optional)

    When you provide a price per tonne, the calculator estimates the overall material cost:

    Estimated Total Cost = Total Mix Weight (tonnes) × Price per Tonne

    This helps you quickly plan budgets, compare mix options, and avoid under- or over-ordering material.

Bitumen & Mix Requirements at a Glance

Length × Width × ThicknessBitumen ContentTotal Mix (tonnes)Bitumen Required (tonnes)
1 km × 3.5 m × 40 mm4.5%329.014.8
1 km × 3.5 m × 40 mm5.0%329.016.5
1 km × 3.5 m × 40 mm5.5%329.018.1
1 km × 3.5 m × 50 mm5.0%411.320.6
1 km × 3.5 m × 50 mm5.5%411.322.6
1 km × 3.5 m × 50 mm6.0%411.324.7
1 km × 3.5 m × 60 mm5.0%493.524.7
1 km × 3.5 m × 60 mm5.5%493.527.1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bitumen calculation?
Bitumen calculation is the process of estimating how much bitumen (binder) is required for a pavement or asphalt layer based on the mix design, pavement area, thickness, and specified bitumen content. In practice, you first determine the volume of the layer (length × width × thickness), then multiply by the mix density and the percentage of bitumen in that mix to get the required quantity of bitumen.
What is the formula for bitumen calculation?
A common approach for asphalt layers is: Bitumen (tons) = Area (m²) × Thickness (mm) ÷ 1000 × Mix density (t/m³) × Bitumen content (%) ÷ 100 Where: - Area (m²) = length × width - Thickness (mm) is the compacted thickness of the layer - Mix density is typically around 2.3–2.5 t/m³ (as per mix design) - Bitumen content (%) is taken from the approved mix design (for example, 4–6%). Always use the project’s actual mix design values for accurate results.
How to measure the pavement?
To measure pavement for quantity or bitumen calculation: 1. Measure the length of each section. 2. Measure the width of each section (or average width if it varies). 3. Calculate the area for each section: Area = length × width, then sum all sections. 4. Use the design thickness (or core test results for existing pavement) as the layer thickness. 5. Use these values with the mix density and bitumen content to calculate total mix and bitumen requirements.
What is asphalt and what is asphalt made of?
Asphalt (asphalt concrete) is a paving material made by mixing mineral aggregates with bitumen, which acts as the binder. Typical hot mix asphalt contains about 93–96% aggregates (crushed stone, sand, mineral filler) and about 4–7% bitumen by mass, depending on the mix design. Bitumen itself is a petroleum-derived, viscous, black binder that provides cohesion, durability, and waterproofing to the mix.
How much does an asphalt driveway cost?
The cost of an asphalt driveway depends on location, thickness, base preparation, asphalt type, and project size. As a general recent guideline, many homeowners pay roughly about $5–$12 per square foot (around $50–$130 per m²) for a new asphalt driveway including materials and installation, with simple overlays at the lower end and thick or premium systems at the higher end. For accurate pricing, measure your driveway area and get quotes from local contractors, as labor, materials, and haulage rates vary by region.