# Superpave Gradation Requirements

Superpave mix design specifies aggregate gradation control points through which aggregate gradations must pass. These control points are very general and are a starting point for a job mix formula.

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/mix-design/superpave-gradation-requirements/
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name
- Standards: AASHTO MP 2

Superpave mix design specifies [aggregate gradation](https://pavementinteractive.org/glossary/aggregate-gradation/) control points through which aggregate gradations must pass. These control points are very general and are a starting point for a [job mix formula](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/design/mix-design/job-mix-formula/).

These tables (data taken from AASHTO MP 2, *Standard Specification for Superpave Volumetric Mix Design*) show typical Superpave aggregate specifications for 37.5 mm (1.5 inch) down to 9.5 mm (0.375 inch) nominal aggregate sizes. Significant figures are the same as those in AASHTO MP 2.

**Table 1.** 37.5 mm (1.5 inch) Nominal Size

| Sieve Size |  | Restricted Zone |  | Control Points |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (mm) | (U.S.) | Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper |
| 50 | 2 inch | 100 | – | – | – |
| 37.5 | 1.5 inch | 90 | 100 | – | – |
| 25 | 1 inch | – | 90 | – | – |
| 19 | 3/4 inch | – | – | – | – |
| 12.5 | 1/2 inch | – | – | – | – |
| 9.5 | 3/8 inch | – | – | – | – |
| 4.75 | No. 4 | – | – | 34.7 | 34.7 |
| 2.36 | No. 8 | 15 | 41 | 23.3 | 27.3 |
| 1.18 | No. 16 | – | – | 15.5 | 21.5 |
| 0.60 | No. 30 | – | – | 11.7 | 15.7 |
| 0.30 | No. 50 | – | – | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| 0.15 | No. 100 | – | – | – | – |
| 0.075 | No. 200 | 0 | 6 | – | – |

**Table 2.** 25 mm (1 inch) Nominal Size

| Sieve Size |  | Restricted Zone |  | Control Points |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (mm) | (U.S.) | Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper |
| 37.5 | 1.5 inch | 100 | – | – | – |
| 25 | 1 inch | 90 | 100 | – | – |
| 19 | 3/4 inch | – | 90 | – | – |
| 12.5 | 1/2 inch | – | – | – | – |
| 9.5 | 3/8 inch | – | – | – | – |
| 4.75 | No. 4 | – | – | 39.5 | 39.5 |
| 2.36 | No. 8 | 19 | 45 | 26.8 | 30.8 |
| 1.18 | No. 16 | – | – | 18.1 | 24.1 |
| 0.60 | No. 30 | – | – | 13.6 | 17.6 |
| 0.30 | No. 50 | – | – | 11.4 | 11.4 |
| 0.15 | No. 100 | – | – | – | – |
| 0.075 | No. 200 | 1 | 7 | – | – |

**Table 3.** 19 mm (3/4 inch) Nominal Size

| Sieve Size |  | Restricted Zone |  | Control Points |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (mm) | (U.S.) | Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper |
| 25 | 1 inch | 100 | – | – | – |
| 19 | 3/4 inch | 90 | 100 | – | – |
| 12.5 | 1/2 inch | – | 90 | – | – |
| 9.5 | 3/8 inch | – | – | – | – |
| 4.75 | No. 4 | – | – | – | – |
| 2.36 | No. 8 | 23 | 49 | 34.6 | 34.6 |
| 1.18 | No. 16 | – | – | 22.3 | 28.3 |
| 0.60 | No. 30 | – | – | 16.7 | 20.7 |
| 0.30 | No. 50 | – | – | 13.7 | 13.7 |
| 0.15 | No. 100 | – | – | – | – |
| 0.075 | No. 200 | 2 | 8 | – | – |

**Table 4.** 12.5 mm (1/2 inch) Nominal Size

| Sieve Size |  | Restricted Zone |  | Control Points |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (mm) | (U.S.) | Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper |
| 19 | 3/4 inch | 100 | – | – | – |
| 12.5 | 1/2 inch | 90 | 100 | – | – |
| 9.5 | 3/8 inch | – | 90 | – | – |
| 4.75 | No. 4 | – | – | – | – |
| 2.36 | No. 8 | 28 | 58 | 39.1 | 39.1 |
| 1.18 | No. 16 | – | – | 25.6 | 31.6 |
| 0.60 | No. 30 | – | – | 19.1 | 23.1 |
| 0.30 | No. 50 | – | – | 15.5 | 15.5 |
| 0.15 | No. 100 | – | – | – | – |
| 0.075 | No. 200 | 2 | 10 | – | – |

**Table 5.** 9.5 mm (3/8 inch) Nominal Size

| Sieve Size |  | Restricted Zone |  | Control Points |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| (mm) | (U.S.) | Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper |
| 12.5 | 1/2 inch | 100 |  | – | – |
| 9.5 | 3/8 inch | 90 | 100 | – | – |
| 4.75 | No. 4 | – | 90 | – | – |
| 2.36 | No. 8 | 32 | 67 | 47.2 | 47.2 |
| 1.18 | No. 16 | – | – | 31.6 | 37.6 |
| 0.60 | No. 30 | – | – | 23.5 | 27.5 |
| 0.30 | No. 50 | – | – | 18.7 | 18.7 |
| 0.15 | No. 100 | – | – | – | – |
| 0.075 | No. 200 | 2 | 10 | – | – |