How the turf calculator works
- Area = length × width.
- Strips. The calculator tries running the strips along each side and keeps the layout that wastes less. Strips = the other side ÷ roll width, rounded up.
- Turf to order = strips × roll width × (strip length + trimming allowance).
- Cut-off waste = turf ordered − area.
- Seams = (strips − 1) × strip length, which is also the seam tape you need.
- Infill = area × pounds per square foot, then bags.
- Base = area × depth in feet ÷ 27, in cubic yards.
Worked example
A 30 × 20 ft backyard with 15 ft wide turf and 6 in of trimming allowance per strip:
| Layout | Strips | Turf ordered | Waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strips running the 30 ft way | 20 ÷ 15 = 1.33 → 2 strips of 30.5 ft | 2 × 15 × 30.5 = 915 sq ft | 315 sq ft |
| Strips running the 20 ft way | 30 ÷ 15 = 2 strips of 20.5 ft | 2 × 15 × 20.5 = 615 sq ft | 15 sq ft |
The second layout wins: 615 sq ft of turf, one 20 ft seam, and only 15 sq ft of cut-off. Infill at 2 lb per sq ft is 1,200 lb (24 × 50 lb bags), and a 3 in base is 600 × 0.25 ÷ 27 = 5.6 cubic yards.
This is why turf orders can be much bigger than the area. A 20 ft wide yard covered with 15 ft rolls needs a second strip that is mostly cut away.
Roll widths and layout
| Area width | With 15 ft rolls | With 12 ft rolls |
|---|---|---|
| 10 ft | 1 strip, 5 ft cut off | 1 strip, 2 ft cut off |
| 15 ft | 1 strip, no cut-off | 2 strips, 9 ft cut off |
| 20 ft | 2 strips, 10 ft cut off | 2 strips, 4 ft cut off |
| 24 ft | 2 strips, 6 ft cut off | 2 strips, no cut-off |
| 30 ft | 2 strips, no cut-off | 3 strips, 6 ft cut off |
| 45 ft | 3 strips, no cut-off | 4 strips, 3 ft cut off |
If your product comes in both widths, check both in the calculator. Large cut-offs can sometimes fill a side strip or a pet area, so long as their blades run the same way as the main lawn.
Infill
Infill is spread over the finished turf and brushed in. It holds the blades upright, weighs the turf down and, with some types, keeps it cooler or controls pet odors. Common types include silica sand, coated sand and organic or specialty infills.
| Use | Typical infill rate |
|---|---|
| Short pile, decorative | about 1–1.5 lb per sq ft |
| Most landscape turf | about 1.5–2.5 lb per sq ft |
| Long pile, sports or pet areas | about 2–3 lb per sq ft |
These are typical ranges; the turf manufacturer gives the rate for each product. Infill is usually sold in 50 lb bags.
Base
Artificial turf goes over a compacted, free-draining base, commonly 3 to 4 inches of crushed rock or decomposed granite, often over a weed barrier. Set the base depth in the calculator, or 0 if your installer is handling it. A landscape supplier can tell you what base material they stock and whether it’s sold by the cubic yard or the ton.
Other things to order
- Seam tape and adhesive for every seam (the calculator gives the length).
- Nails or staples around the edges and along seams, at the spacing the turf maker recommends.
- Edging where turf meets soil or planting beds.
- A power broom or stiff brush to spread infill and lift the blades.
Odd shapes
Measure the smallest rectangle that contains the area and use that. Curves and corners are cut from the strip on site, and the extra is the cut-off you pay for either way. For L-shaped yards, run each leg as its own rectangle but keep all strips running the same direction.
For prices, the artificial turf cost page adds base, labor and the other line items. If you’re weighing real grass instead, the sod calculator gives rolls and pallets for the same area.
Roll widths, infill rates and base depths vary by product and site. Use the manufacturer's specifications and your installer's plan for the final order.
Questions people ask
- How do I calculate how much artificial turf I need?
- Measure the length and width of the area. Divide the width you'll cover by the roll width and round up to get the number of strips, then multiply strips × roll width × (length + a few inches for trimming). That is the turf to order, which is more than the area because of the cut-off.
- How wide is a roll of artificial turf?
- Most artificial grass is made 15 ft wide, and some products come 12 ft wide. Rolls are cut to the length you order. Check the product sheet before you plan the layout.
- How much infill do I need for artificial turf?
- Many products call for about 1 to 3 lb of infill per square foot, depending on pile height and type. Multiply your area by the maker's rate: 600 sq ft at 2 lb is 1,200 lb, or twenty-four 50 lb bags.
- Which way should artificial turf strips run?
- All pieces should run with the blades leaning the same way, usually toward the house or the main viewing spot so the lawn looks fuller. Plan strips in one direction; turning one piece makes the seam obvious.
- How much extra artificial turf should I order?
- The calculator adds a trimming allowance to each strip's length and rounds strips up to whole roll widths. For curves and odd shapes, measure the smallest rectangle that encloses the area, which builds in the cut-off.