Accurately calculate the number of cold patch bags or total material weight needed for your asphalt repair project.
For a rectangular repair 3 ft long x 2 ft wide and 3 inches deep, using a 50 lb bag with a yield of 0.33 ft³ and a 15% waste factor:
The Asphalt Repair Calculator is a precision tool engineered for homeowners, contractors, and facility managers who need to perform durable asphalt repairs. Its core purpose is to eliminate the costly and frustrating guesswork of material estimation. By providing a few simple measurements, users can determine the exact amount of cold patch asphalt needed, whether they are buying it by the bag or in bulk. The primary advantage of the Asphalt Repair Calculator is its emphasis on accuracy, guiding users toward the "By Bag Yield" method, which relies on verifiable manufacturer data rather than generic and often-unreliable density values.
Why is this distinction important? The compacted density of cold patch products varies significantly between manufacturers, from lighter, more porous mixes around 110 lbs/ft³ to dense, high-performance materials exceeding 150 lbs/ft³. Using a generic average can lead to errors of 20% or more. The Asphalt Repair Calculator solves this by defaulting to the "By Bag Yield" method. A product's technical data sheet (TDS) will almost always specify the compacted volume a single bag is designed to fill (e.g., 0.33 ft³). This is a direct, reliable link between the product you buy and the hole you need to fill. By using this manufacturer-guaranteed value, our calculator provides an estimate you can trust, saving you money on wasted material and preventing extra trips to the store.
The Asphalt Repair Calculator is also a comprehensive instructional guide. The results section doesn't just provide a number; it delivers critical application advice based on engineering best practices. It automatically calculates the required overfill for proper compaction and generates a warning if the repair depth necessitates application in multiple layers, known as "lifts." This is a crucial step often missed by amateurs, which leads to failed patches. For further reading on these best practices, resources like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Pavement Maintenance Management manual provide extensive details, while Wikipedia's entry on Potholes explains the mechanics of their formation and repair. Our tool distills this expert knowledge into simple, actionable instructions that accompany your results.
From its flexible unit conversions to its smart UI that adapts to your choices, every aspect of the Asphalt Repair Calculator is designed for clarity and precision. It empowers you to plan your project with the confidence of a professional, ensuring you have the right amount of material and the right knowledge to achieve a repair that lasts. Don't estimate—calculate.
The compacted yield of cold patch varies significantly. Using the yield from your specific product's data sheet is critical for an accurate calculation. The calculator defaults to 0.33 ft³ per 50 lb bag, a common value for high-performance materials.
| Product Example | Bag Weight | Compacted Yield | Implied Compacted Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPM Permanent Patch | 50 lbs | 0.42 ft³ | ~119 lbs/ft³ |
| Crafco HP Asphalt Cold Patch | 50 lbs | 0.33 ft³ | ~151.5 lbs/ft³ |
| Quikrete Asphalt Patch | 50 lbs | 0.32 ft³ | ~156.3 lbs/ft³ |
| Generic (Typical Engineering Value) | N/A | N/A | 130 lbs/ft³ |
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Manufacturer-stated yield (e.g., "one 50 lb bag fills 0.33 cubic feet") is a specific, tested value for that exact product. In contrast, "density" can vary widely between brands. Using the product's own yield value removes this guesswork, leading to a much more accurate material estimate.
A "lift" is a layer. For deep holes (over 4 inches), you cannot properly compact the material if you fill it all at once. You must put in a 2-4 inch layer, tamp it down thoroughly, then add the next layer and repeat. This calculator will automatically tell you when this is required.
Approximate the irregular shape as a simple rectangle or circle. Measure the longest and widest points for a rectangle, or the average diameter for a circle. It's better to slightly overestimate. Using a higher waste factor (15-20%) is also recommended for odd shapes.
Cold patch material is loose in the bag and contains air voids. Compacting (tamping) it removes these air voids and makes it dense. To end up with a patch that is level with the surrounding pavement, you must start with the loose material about 1/2 to 1 inch higher.