Artificial Turf Calculator
Artificial turf sells by the roll, not the square foot, so odd-shaped lawns almost always mean some leftover material. Enter your lawn’s length and width and this calculator returns roll count, infill bags, and total cost with waste built in.
Total area of doors, windows or other openings to subtract.
Covers cuts, breakage and layout waste. 5–10% is normal.
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Ordering tips
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Coverage & waste
Material profile
Start with gross lawn area (length × width), subtract any openings like a tree well or planting bed you’re not covering, and add a waste percentage for trimming and roll overlap at seams. Divide net area by the coverage of one roll (its width times its length in square feet), then round up since turf only sells by the full roll. Infill is estimated separately based on total coverage area.
Infill Rates by Turf Use
Infill weighs the turf blades down, keeps them standing upright, and adds cushioning. How much you need depends on how the lawn gets used.
| Use Case | Typical Infill Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard residential lawn | 1-2 lb/sq ft | Silica sand or similar |
| Pet areas | 2-3 lb/sq ft | Antimicrobial infill often recommended |
| Putting greens | 1-1.5 lb/sq ft | Specialized infill for ball roll |
Turf roll coverage by width
| Type | Coverage / unit | Size | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 ft wide roll (15 ft length) | 180 sq ft | 12 ft x 15 ft | Small to mid-size lawns |
| 15 ft wide roll (15 ft length) | 225 sq ft | 15 ft x 15 ft | Standard residential lawns |
How to calculate how many turf rolls you need
- Measure the lawn’s length and width to get gross square footage.
- Subtract any areas you’re not covering, like trees, beds, or hardscape.
- Add waste 8% is typical for a simple rectangular lawn; more for irregular shapes.
- Choose a roll width and divide net area by that roll’s coverage in square feet.
- Round up to the next full roll, then estimate infill bags for the total area.
Worked example
A 20 ft x 15 ft lawn with a 15 ft wide roll and 8% waste runs through the calculator like this.
- Lawn size (gross area)20 ft x 15 ft = 300 sq ft
- Openings0 sq ft
- Net area300 sq ft
- Waste allowance8%
- Roll selected15 ft wide (225 sq ft/roll)
- Rolls needed2
- Infill needed1 bag (50 lb)
- Total material cost2 rolls ($520) + 1 infill bag ($14) = $534
Turf Roll Sizes and Coverage
| Roll Size | Coverage per Roll | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 12 ft wide x 15 ft | 180 sq ft | Small to mid-size lawns |
| 15 ft wide x 15 ft | 225 sq ft | Standard residential lawns |
Ordering Artificial Turf
Order all rolls from the same production batch so blade color and pile height match across seams; turf color can shift noticeably between manufacturing runs. Plan your roll layout before ordering so you know how many full rolls you need and which direction the grain runs in each section, since turf sold by the roll doesn’t split into partial widths. Order seam tape, adhesive, and infill in the same purchase so installation isn’t held up waiting on a separate delivery.
- Match production batchesso turf color and pile height are consistent across every roll.
- Plan grain directionbefore ordering so seams run the right way and don’t show a color break.
- Order seam supplies togethertape and adhesive aren’t part of the roll count.
- Confirm infill typepet areas and putting greens often need a different infill than standard lawns.
Common mistakes
- Skipping base compactionan uncompacted or poorly graded base leads to soft spots, puddling, and premature wear.
- Ignoring seam directionturf has a grain direction (like carpet nap); rolls laid with mismatched grain show a visible seam line.
- Underestimating infilltoo little infill leaves blades flattened and reduces cushioning; use the product’s recommended rate, not a guess.
- Forgetting seam materialsseam tape and adhesive aren’t part of the roll count and need to be budgeted separately.
What this calculator assumes
Adjust your result if your project differs from these.
- Roll coverage is based on the roll width and length for the material you select.
- Waste percentage accounts for trimming at edges and overlap needed at seams.
- Infill bag count is estimated from total net coverage area, not a per-square-foot manual calculation.
- Lawn area is assumed to be a straightforward rectangle or near-rectangle shape.
- Pricing uses the per-roll and per-bag costs you enter.
Common questions
How much does artificial turf cost installed?
Material cost from this calculator covers turf rolls and infill only. Installed cost also includes base material, labor, and seam supplies, which typically add substantially more per square foot.
How long does artificial turf last?
Most residential-grade turf is rated for 15-20 years with normal use, though heavy foot traffic or intense sun exposure can shorten that.
Do I need infill?
Most turf products require infill to keep blades upright and add cushioning. Check your specific product, some no-infill options exist but usually cost more.
Can I install turf directly over grass?
No. Existing grass and topsoil need to be removed and replaced with a compacted aggregate base, or the turf will settle unevenly and drain poorly.
How do I handle an irregular-shaped lawn?
Increase your waste allowance beyond 8% to account for extra trimming, and plan roll placement to minimize seams across curves or narrow sections.
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Project
| Wall size | — |
| Openings deducted | — |
| Net area | — |
| Material | — |
| Waste allowance | — |
Shopping list
| Units needed | — |
| Mortar / mix | — |
| Estimated total cost | — |
Notes
Estimate generated by materialcalculate.com. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.