Bitumen Quantity Calculator
Answer the "how much bitumen do I need" question directly — enter your project details and get an exact quantity to order, not just a rough estimate.
Bitumen Quantity Calculator
Dimensions
Mix Properties
Typical Bitumen Content by Mix Type
| Mix Type | Bitumen |
|---|---|
| General Asphalt | 5.0% - 5.5% |
| High Traffic Roads | 6.0% - 7.0% |
| Rigid Pavements | 4.0% - 4.5% |
| Binder Courses | 4.5% - 5.5% |
| Wearing Courses | 5.5% - 6.5% |
| Stone Mastic Asphalt | 6.5% - 7.5% |
"How much bitumen do I need" is really three questions stacked together: how big is the area, how much total mix does that area require, and what fraction of that mix is bitumen. This calculator answers all three in one step, with the bitumen quantity highlighted as the primary output.
The calculation behind the quantity figure
Bitumen quantity
Bitumen Weight = (Length × Width × Thickness) × Density × Bitumen Content %
This is the same formula used across every mix-based bitumen calculation — the only thing that changes between projects is the input values.
Getting the quantity right for different application types
This calculator is built for mix-based bitumen quantity — the binder content within a volume of asphalt mix. If your project instead involves a spray-applied bitumen layer (a tack coat, prime coat, or seal coat), the quantity calculation works differently: it’s area multiplied directly by a spray rate, with no density or mix percentage involved. Use the tack coat, prime coat, or seal coat calculators for those cases instead.
| Project Type | Which Calculation Applies |
|---|---|
| New asphalt wearing/binder course | Volume × density × bitumen % (this calculator) |
| Tack coat between layers | Area × spray rate (tack coat calculator) |
| Prime coat on granular base | Area × spray rate (prime coat calculator) |
| Surface dressing / seal coat | Area × spray rate (seal coat calculator) |
Worked example
A 300m² area, 40mm thick, at 2,350 kg/m³ density and 5.5% bitumen content: Volume = 300 × 0.04 = 12 m³ Mix weight = 12 × 2,350 = 28,200 kg Bitumen quantity = 28,200 × 0.055 = 1,551 kg (≈ 1.55 tonnes)
Don’t forget the aggregate side of the order
Once you have your bitumen quantity, the aggregate quantity is simply the rest of the mix weight (mix weight minus bitumen weight) — this calculator shows that figure alongside the bitumen result automatically, so you have both numbers for ordering from your bitumen supplier and your aggregate/quarry supplier separately.
Ordering in bulk: rounding and minimum order quantities
Once you have a calculated bitumen quantity, real-world ordering rarely matches the exact figure. Many suppliers set minimum order quantities (often a full tanker load, commonly 15–20 tonnes for bulk bitumen), and delivery is usually in whole-tanker or whole-drum increments rather than an arbitrary decimal figure. If your calculated quantity falls well under a standard delivery unit, check with your supplier about drum packaging (typically 180–200kg per drum) as an alternative to a full bulk tanker.
| Order Size | Typical Delivery Format |
|---|---|
| Under 1 tonne | Drums (180–200kg each) |
| 1–10 tonnes | Drums or part-tanker, depending on supplier minimums |
| 10+ tonnes | Bulk tanker delivery, typically in full or half-load increments |