Artificial Turf Calculator
Plan an artificial grass lawn, dog run or putting green. Enter the yard as a rectangle, several rectangles or a known area, choose a 15 ft or 12 ft roll, and get the turf to order, a cut list of roll lengths, seam length and tape, infill pounds and bags, nails, base rock and the total cost.
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Split L-shaped or odd yards into rectangles.
Used only for a known area: 5–10% for simple shapes, 15–20% for curves.
Keep the grain facing the main viewing spot for the best look.
Typically 1–3 lb per sq ft for silica sand; follow the turf maker's figure.
Compacted crushed rock or decomposed granite, usually 3–4 in. 0 to skip.
How to use the Artificial Turf Calculator
- Measure the lawn as one rectangle, several rectangles, or enter the square feet.
- Choose the roll width your supplier sells and the roll direction (Auto picks the least waste).
- Set the infill rate and base depth from the turf maker's instructions.
- Enter prices if you want a cost estimate.
- Press Calculate turf to see square feet, cut list, seams, infill and cost.
How artificial turf is calculated
Turf is sold by the linear foot off a roll of fixed width, so the area you buy is usually more than the area you cover. For each rectangle:
- Strips = ⌈area width ÷ roll width⌉
- Strip length = area length + trim allowance at each end (about 3 in)
- Turf to buy = strips × roll width × strip length
- Seam length = (strips − 1) × area length
- Infill = lawn sq ft × lb per sq ft; base = sq ft × depth (in) ÷ 12 ÷ 27 cubic yards
The calculator tries both roll directions for each area and, on Auto, picks the one that buys the least turf (and, on a tie, the fewest feet of seam).
Typical specs and quantities
| Item | Common figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roll widths | 15 ft, 12 ft | Some putting turfs come in 12 ft or 15 ft; rolls often up to 100 ft long |
| Infill (landscape) | 1.5–3 lb/sq ft | Silica sand, coated sand or zeolite for pet areas |
| Infill (putting green) | 0.5–1.5 lb/sq ft | Short, dense turf needs less |
| Base | 3–4 in compacted | Crushed rock or decomposed granite, about 1.4 tons per cubic yard |
| Nails or staples | Every 6–8 in on edges | Along seams too; extra in the field on large lawns |
| Seam tape | Seam length + 10% | Use adhesive made for turf seams |
Tips to reduce waste
- Draw the yard on graph paper and try both directions; a 12 ft roll can beat a 15 ft roll on narrow yards.
- Use offcuts for side strips, dog runs or under benches, keeping the grain in the same direction.
- Measure the longest and widest points of curved areas; trim the curve on site.
- Order from one production lot so the color matches across seams.
- Let turf relax in the sun for an hour or two before stretching and cutting.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much artificial turf I need?
Turf comes in rolls of a fixed width, usually 15 ft or 12 ft, so you buy whole strips. Divide the width of the area by the roll width and round up to get the number of strips, then multiply strips × roll width × (length + a few inches of trim at each end). A 30 × 20 ft yard with 15 ft rolls run along the 30 ft side needs 2 strips of 30 ft 6 in, or 915 sq ft for 600 sq ft of lawn; turned the other way it needs 2 strips of 20 ft 6 in, only 615 sq ft.
Why is there so much waste with artificial turf?
Because rolls cannot be cut to an odd width without leaving an offcut. A 20 ft wide yard needs two 15 ft strips, wasting 10 ft of width. Turning the rolls the other way, choosing a 12 ft roll, or using offcuts for small side areas can cut waste a lot, so compare directions.
How much infill does artificial grass need?
Many residential turf products use about 1 to 3 pounds of infill per square foot, often around 2 lb for landscape turf and less for short putting-green turf. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendation for your product.
How much seam tape do I need?
Seam tape runs the full length of every seam where two strips meet. Add about 10 percent for overlap and trimming. Two strips side by side along a 30 ft yard make one 30 ft seam, so you would need about 33 ft of tape.
How deep should the base be under artificial turf?
A compacted base of about 3 to 4 inches of crushed rock, class II road base or decomposed granite is common, with more where drainage is poor. 600 sq ft at 3 inches deep is about 5.6 cubic yards, roughly 7.8 tons.
Which direction should artificial turf be laid?
Lay all strips with the grain (the direction the blades lean) pointing the same way, ideally toward the house or main viewing spot, so the lawn looks fuller. Seams also hide better when they run toward the viewer rather than across.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.