Bitumen Calculator

What is the difference between bitumen and asphalt?

Bitumen is the petroleum binder. Asphalt (or asphalt concrete) is bitumen mixed with aggregate and filler. This calculator estimates binder volume/weight; use our asphalt calculator for full hot-mix mat tonnage.

What density should I use?

Paving-grade bitumen is often near 1.03 g/cm³ (about 1,030 kg/m³ or 64 lb/ft³). Heavier modified binders can differ—enter the value from your supplier COA or quote.

Can I calculate bitumen emulsion?

This tool models net binder volume by area and wet-film thickness. Emulsions contain water; apply manufacturer residual binder factors separately for emulsion orders.

Why show litres and tonnes?

Many markets quote bitumen by metric tonne or drum volume. Litres ≈ m³ × 1,000 is a handy planning conversion when density is close to 1 t/m³.

Bitumen quantity equals surface area times layer thickness times density, with a waste allowance. Unlike hot-mix asphalt, this tool models the binder alone—useful for tack coats, prime coats, and waterproofing membranes quoted by tonne or litre.

• Enter length × width or total surface area in square metres or square feet.
• Set bitumen layer thickness (millimetre-scale coats through centimetre binder courses).
• Adjust waste (default 5%) and density (default 64 lb/ft³) to match your product.
• Tap Calculate bitumen for m³, litres, tonnes, and US tons.

• Road tack or prime coat coverage before asphalt paving.
• Waterproofing or roof membrane quantity from drawn area and DFT.
• Comparing binder tonnes vs hot-mix asphalt order (use the asphalt calculator for full HMA).
• Quick metric estimates on international specs quoted in m² and mm.

1. 50 m × 10 m × 25 mm (2.5 cm), 5% waste, 64 lb/ft³ → about 13.1 m³ and ~13.5 tonnes binder.
2. 500 m² × 3 mm (0.3 cm) tack coat, 10% waste → about 165 L / 0.17 m³ and ~0.17 tonnes (planning).
3. 2,000 sq ft × 0.05 in seal, 5% waste → about 31 US gallons equivalent volume before density check (~0.26 m³).