If you’re planning to lay a new lawn, one of the first questions you might be thinking is “How much turf do I need?” Ordering the right amount is an important part of planning your project. Too little and you may find yourself waiting for another delivery before you can finish the job. Too much and you could end up paying for turf you don’t use.
As one of the UK’s leading turf growers, Inturf supplies millions of square metres of turf each year to landscapers, developers & homeowners. Our experience means we understand the importance of ordering the correct quantity to ensure a successful project.
By measuring your garden accurately and calculating the total square metres, you can confidently order the correct quantity of turf for your project.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to measure your lawn, calculate the area of different shaped gardens, when to allow extra for wastage and how Inturf supplies turf to make ordering as simple as possible.
How to Measure Your Garden for Turf
Before you can work out how much turf you need, you’ll need to measure the area you’re planning to cover. The most accurate way to do this is by measuring in metres, as turf is typically sold by the square metre.
If your lawn is a simple rectangle or square, measuring couldn’t be easier. Measure the longest length and the widest point, then multiply the two figures together.
For example, if your garden measures 10 metres long and 5 metres wide:
10m × 5m = 50m²
This means you’ll need approximately 50 square metres of turf.
Many gardens, however, aren’t perfect rectangles. Curved borders, flower beds, patios and winding paths all make the shape a little more complicated, but that doesn’t mean calculating the area is difficult.
The easiest approach is to divide the garden into smaller, more manageable sections. Measure each section separately before adding the totals together to calculate the overall area.
For example:
- Main lawn: 8m × 4m = 32m²
- Side section: 3m × 2m = 6m²
This gives a total lawn area of 38m².
For gardens with curved edges, don’t worry about trying to measure every curve precisely. Instead, measure the longest and widest points of the area and allow for the turf to be cut during installation. This provides a practical estimate while ensuring you have enough turf to achieve a neat finish around borders and planting areas.
Taking a little extra time to measure accurately before ordering can save both time and money later. It also helps ensure your turf can be laid in one continuous project, giving your new lawn the best possible start.
How Much Turf Do I Need?
Each roll of Classic Turf measures approximately 1.0m² (164cm x 60.5cm), making it easy to calculate how many rolls are required for your project. The exact dimensions of our Classic turf rolls are 60.5cm wide by 164cm long and 15mm in depth. Whether you’re replacing a small patch of lawn or landscaping an entire garden, calculating your order is simple once you know the total area.
Our turf is available in convenient pallet sizes from 10m² up to 60m² on one pallet and then anything over this will start to go into two pallets. These pallet options make ordering straightforward.
If your garden measures 40m² for example, a 40m² pallet would provide the perfect quantity. Likewise, a smaller 18m² lawn could be covered using a 20m² pallet, giving you a small amount of additional turf for trimming and shaping.
If you’re unsure which type of turf is right for your project, explore our range of Classic Turf, Masters Turf and RTF Turf to find the most suitable option for your garden.
Should You Order Extra Turf?
One of the most common questions we receive is whether it’s worth ordering a little extra turf. In most cases, the answer is yes.
Even with careful measuring, very few gardens are made up entirely of straight lines. Turf usually needs trimming around flower beds, trees, garden features, paths and curved borders. These cuts naturally create small offcuts that can’t always be reused elsewhere.
For simple rectangular lawns with very little cutting required, allowing around 5% extra is usually sufficient. If your garden has lots of curves, awkward corners or several planting beds, allowing up to 10% extra provides a little more flexibility during installation.
For example, if your measured area is 37m², ordering between 40m² of turf will usually allow enough material for trimming while avoiding the frustration of running short.
Ordering slightly more turf is generally far easier than discovering you’re a few square metres short once you’ve started laying the lawn. As fresh turf should ideally be laid as soon as possible after delivery, needing to arrange a second order can interrupt the project and leave visible joins between turf laid on different days.
While it’s sensible to allow for some wastage, it’s equally important not to over-order unnecessarily. Careful measuring combined with a small allowance for cutting will usually provide the right balance.
Common Mistakes When Calculating Turf
Working out how much turf you need is relatively simple, but there are a few common mistakes that can affect the accuracy of your calculations.
One of the biggest is estimating the size of the garden rather than measuring it properly. Even a small error in length or width can quickly add several square metres to the final calculation, leading to unnecessary expense or leaving you short.
It’s also easy to forget to deduct areas that won’t require turf. Patios, decking, sheds, pathways, ponds and permanent flower beds should all be excluded from your measurements before calculating the final area.
Another common mistake is forgetting to allow for trimming. While your measurements may suggest you need exactly 30m² of turf, once you begin cutting around curved edges and obstacles you’ll often find that a small amount of additional material is required. This is why allowing an extra 5–10% is recommended for most projects.
Finally, remember that turf is a living product. Once delivered, it should be laid as quickly as possible to maintain its quality. Taking the time to calculate your order carefully beforehand helps ensure you have everything you need to complete the project in one go.
Ready to Order Your Turf?
Once you’ve worked out how much turf you need, you’re ready to choose the right product for your garden.
Whether you’re creating a family lawn, refreshing a tired garden or looking for a premium turf with improved drought tolerance, we offer a range of high-quality turf grown to the highest standards and delivered fresh from the field.
Before placing your order, it’s also worth making sure your garden is fully prepared. Our guide to Preparing Ground for Turf explains how to create the ideal foundation before your turf arrives, while our How to Lay Turf guide takes you through the installation process step by step. If you’re still in the planning stages, our Considerations When Laying a New Lawn guide is packed with practical advice to help you achieve the best possible results.
By measuring carefully, allowing for a small amount of wastage and choosing the right turf for your project, you’ll be well on your way to creating a healthy, attractive lawn that can be enjoyed for years to come.
