Editorial Policy

This page explains how the guides on this site are researched, written, checked, and corrected. It exists so you can judge for yourself whether a number on this site deserves your trust. For how the calculators themselves work, see the methodology on our About page.

Who writes this site

Every guide is written and reviewed by Shawaiz Hassan, the site's founder. We run a free calculator, not a paving company: we do not install asphalt, sell materials, or take referral fees from contractors, so no comparison on this site has a product behind it.

Where the numbers come from

Statistics and engineering claims are cited inline to their sources, and each guide carries a sources list. We prioritize, in order: government and standards bodies (FHWA, state DOTs, TRB research), industry institutes (Asphalt Institute, NAPA), and manufacturers' own technical data sheets for claims about their products. We do not cite content mills or other calculator sites as evidence.

Prices are handled with dates attached. When a guide quotes a bag or per-ton price, it names the retailer or bid source and the month we checked it, because material prices move and an undated price is a guess. Recurring figures — like the 145 lb/ft³ compacted density standard — are kept consistent across every guide and calculator on the site.

How guides are produced

We use research and drafting tools, including AI tools, in producing these guides. Two rules make that workable: every factual claim must trace to a source we actually checked, and a human reviews each guide before it is published. If a statistic cannot be verified, it is cut rather than softened.

Updates and corrections

The "Updated" date on a guide changes only when its facts, figures, or recommendations materially change — not for cosmetic edits. If you find an error, email hello@getasphaltcalculator.com and we will check it against the source and correct the page.

Advertising

This site is funded by Google AdSense display advertising. Advertisers have no input into what we publish, no guide exists to promote any product, and ad placement never changes a conclusion. We currently have no affiliate or sponsorship relationships; if that ever changes, the affected pages will say so.