Unit Conversion Guide
Master unit conversions for asphalt projects with comprehensive tables, calculators, and practical examples.
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Length & Distance Conversions
Common Length Conversions
| From | To | Multiply by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches | Feet | ÷ 12 | 24 in = 2 ft |
| Feet | Inches | × 12 | 5 ft = 60 in |
| Feet | Yards | ÷ 3 | 15 ft = 5 yd |
| Yards | Feet | × 3 | 10 yd = 30 ft |
| Feet | Meters | × 0.3048 | 10 ft = 3.048 m |
| Meters | Feet | × 3.28084 | 5 m = 16.4 ft |
Key Formula: 1 foot = 12 inches = 0.3048 meters
Remember: Always convert to the same units before calculating areas or volumes
📝 Length Conversion Example
Problem: Convert driveway dimensions
- Length: 65 feet 8 inches
- Width: 144 inches
- Thickness: 10 centimeters
Solution: Convert all to feet
- Length: 65 + (8÷12) = 65.67 ft
- Width: 144÷12 = 12 ft
- Thickness: (10÷100)×3.28084 = 0.328 ft
Area Conversions
Area Conversion Table
| From | To | Multiply by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square Feet | Square Yards | ÷ 9 | 900 ft² = 100 yd² |
| Square Yards | Square Feet | × 9 | 50 yd² = 450 ft² |
| Square Feet | Square Meters | × 0.092903 | 1000 ft² = 92.9 m² |
| Square Meters | Square Feet | × 10.7639 | 100 m² = 1076.4 ft² |
| Acres | Square Feet | × 43,560 | 1 acre = 43,560 ft² |
💡 Area Conversion Tips
- Always square the linear conversion factor for area conversions
- 1 square yard = 9 square feet (3×3)
- Use consistent units throughout your project calculations
- Double-check area calculations with multiple methods
Volume Conversions
Volume Conversion Table
| From | To | Multiply by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cubic Feet | Cubic Yards | ÷ 27 | 270 ft³ = 10 yd³ |
| Cubic Yards | Cubic Feet | × 27 | 5 yd³ = 135 ft³ |
| Cubic Feet | Cubic Meters | × 0.0283168 | 100 ft³ = 2.83 m³ |
| Cubic Meters | Cubic Feet | × 35.3147 | 10 m³ = 353.1 ft³ |
| Cubic Inches | Cubic Feet | ÷ 1,728 | 1,728 in³ = 1 ft³ |
Key Formula: 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet
Volume conversions cube the linear conversion factor (3×3×3 = 27)
📝 Volume Conversion Example
Project: Calculate asphalt volume in different units
- Area: 1,200 square feet
- Thickness: 4 inches = 0.333 feet
- Volume: 1,200 × 0.333 = 400 cubic feet
Conversions:
- Cubic yards: 400 ÷ 27 = 14.8 yd³
- Cubic meters: 400 × 0.0283 = 11.3 m³
Weight & Mass Conversions
Weight Conversion Table
| From | To | Multiply by | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pounds | Tons (US) | ÷ 2,000 | 4,000 lbs = 2 tons |
| Tons (US) | Pounds | × 2,000 | 1.5 tons = 3,000 lbs |
| Pounds | Kilograms | × 0.453592 | 100 lbs = 45.4 kg |
| Kilograms | Pounds | × 2.20462 | 50 kg = 110.2 lbs |
| Tons (US) | Metric Tons | × 0.907185 | 10 tons = 9.07 MT |
| Metric Tons | Tons (US) | × 1.10231 | 5 MT = 5.51 tons |
💡 Weight Conversion Tips
- US ton = 2,000 pounds (short ton)
- Metric ton = 1,000 kilograms = 2,204.62 pounds
- Always specify which type of ton when ordering materials
- Most US asphalt suppliers quote prices in US tons
Density Conversions
Common Density Units for Asphalt
| Unit | Typical Asphalt Value | Conversion Factor |
|---|---|---|
| lbs/ft³ | 145 lbs/ft³ | Standard unit |
| kg/m³ | 2,323 kg/m³ | × 16.0185 |
| tons/yd³ | 1.96 tons/yd³ | × 0.0135 |
| g/cm³ | 2.32 g/cm³ | × 0.01602 |
📝 Density Conversion Example
Given: Asphalt density = 145 lbs/ft³
Convert to other units:
- kg/m³: 145 × 16.0185 = 2,323 kg/m³
- tons/yd³: 145 × 0.0135 = 1.96 tons/yd³
- g/cm³: 145 × 0.01602 = 2.32 g/cm³
Temperature Conversions
Temperature conversions are important for asphalt work, as material properties change with temperature.
°F = (°C × 9/5) + 32
°C = (°F - 32) × 5/9
Common Asphalt Temperatures
| Application | Fahrenheit | Celsius |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Mix Production | 300-350°F | 149-177°C |
| Laying Temperature | 275-300°F | 135-149°C |
| Compaction Temperature | 200-250°F | 93-121°C |
| Minimum Working Temp | 175°F | 79°C |
Quick Reference Guide
Length
- 1 ft = 12 in
- 1 yd = 3 ft
- 1 m = 3.28 ft
- 1 in = 2.54 cm
Area
- 1 yd² = 9 ft²
- 1 m² = 10.76 ft²
- 1 acre = 43,560 ft²
Volume
- 1 yd³ = 27 ft³
- 1 m³ = 35.31 ft³
- 1 ft³ = 1,728 in³
Weight
- 1 ton = 2,000 lbs
- 1 MT = 2,204.6 lbs
- 1 kg = 2.205 lbs
🎯 Conversion Best Practices
- Always use the same units throughout a calculation
- Convert to the most convenient unit for your project
- Double-check conversions with online calculators
- Round appropriately based on measurement precision
- Keep conversion factors handy for field work