The　crack　initiation　behavior　of　asphalt　binders　plays　a　significant　role　in　the　evolution　of　fatigue　damage.　In　this　study,　the　crack　initiation　process　of　asphalt　binders　is　characterized　by　employing　Griffith＇s　energy　balance　principles　and　the　surface　energy　theory.　The　localized　energy　redistribution　caused　by　crack　initiation　is　quantified.　A　prediction　model　of　crack　initiation　length　is　developed　based　on　the　asphalt　crack　initiation　criterion.　The　effect　of　fatigue　loading　amplitude　and　the　testing　temperature　in　the　progression　of　crack　initiation　are　further　investigated.　The　results　show　that　the　fatigue　damage　process　of　asphalt　in　the　time　sweep　test　consists　of　two　stages:　crack　initiation　and　＂factory-roof＂cracking.　The　material-dependent　parameters　can　be　utilized　to　predict　the　crack　initiation　length　at　different　strain　levels.　The　fatigue　crack　initiation　life　of　asphalt　binders　is　decreased　with　a　greater　strain　level.　However,　the　crack　initiation　resistance　of　the　asphalt　is　enhanced　by　the　decrease　of　testing　temperature.　　©　2023　ASCE.