Calculator inputs
Example data table
These sample sections illustrate common site breakdowns.
| Section | Shape | Inputs | Area (m²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Lawn | Rectangle | Length 12 m, Width 6 m | 72.00 |
| Round Planter Edge | Circle | Radius 2.5 m | 19.63 |
| Corner Patch | Triangle | Base 5 m, Height 3 m | 7.50 |
| Walkway Cutout | L-Shape | Outer 8×5 m, Cutout 3×2 m | 34.00 |
Formula used
- Rectangle: A = L × W
- Circle: A = π × r²
- Triangle: A = 0.5 × b × h
- Trapezoid: A = 0.5 × (a + b) × h
- Ellipse: A = π × a × b
- L-Shape: A = (OL × OW) − (CL × CW)
- Total net area: A_net = Σ A_section
- Waste allowance: A_gross = A_net × (1 + waste%/100)
- Roll estimate: Rolls = ceil(A_gross / roll_coverage)
- Costs: Material = A_gross × rate, Labor = A_gross × labor_rate
How to use this calculator
- Set the number of sections to match your site breakdown.
- Select a dimension unit for all length inputs.
- For each section, pick a shape and enter its dimensions.
- Add a waste allowance to cover cuts, joints, and trimming.
- Enter roll coverage to estimate rolls or pallets.
- Set material and labor rates to price your scope.
- Press Calculate, then download CSV or PDF for records.
Professional guide: planning turf quantities
Accurate turf quantities reduce waste, control costs, and keep installation schedules predictable. Start by breaking the site into simple, measurable sections that reflect real construction boundaries such as curbs, walls, walkways, planter edges, and equipment pads. Measuring each zone separately improves traceability during approvals and helps crews confirm coverage in the field.
This calculator supports multiple geometry options because turf areas rarely match perfect rectangles. Use rectangles for long strips, circles for planters, triangles for corners, trapezoids for tapered edges, and L-shapes for areas with cutouts. If a survey, CAD takeoff, or drone map already provides a measured area, select Custom Area to enter it directly and keep the estimate consistent with project documentation.
After net area is calculated, apply a waste allowance to account for trimming, seams, odd angles, and layout corrections. For straightforward rectangular lawns, 5–8% is common. For curved borders, tight spaces, and complex patterns, 10–12% may be safer. Waste is also influenced by roll size and how pieces are oriented relative to the site geometry.
Example takeoff: Front Lawn (rectangle) 12 m × 6 m = 72.00 m². Round Planter Edge (circle) radius 2.5 m = 19.63 m². Corner Patch (triangle) base 5 m, height 3 m = 7.50 m². Walkway Cutout (L-shape) outer 8 × 5 m minus cutout 3 × 2 m = 34.00 m². Net total = 133.13 m². With 7.5% waste, gross = 143.11 m².
Next, estimate rolls or pallets by entering the roll coverage used by your supplier. If one roll covers 2.0 m², rolls required = ceil(143.11 ÷ 2.0) = 72. Use the material and labor rates to generate a transparent cost model that can be shared with clients, procurement, and site supervisors. Finally, export the results to CSV or PDF so the numbers remain consistent across submittals, invoices, and daily progress checks.
Well-scoped turf quantities protect budgets and reduce rework.
FAQs
1) What waste percentage should I use?
Use 5–8% for simple rectangles and long runs. Use 10–12% for curves, tight corners, and many cutouts. Increase further if roll sizes are small or the site has heavy obstructions.
2) Should I measure to the inside or outside of edging?
Measure to the finished turf boundary. If edging has thickness, measure to the inside edge where turf ends. Keep the method consistent across all sections to avoid double counting.
3) When should I use Custom Area?
Use it when you already have reliable areas from a survey, CAD takeoff, or verified map. It prevents re-measuring irregular shapes while still allowing waste, roll, and cost calculations.
4) Why does roll coverage change the quantity so much?
Smaller rolls usually create more joints and offcuts, which increases practical waste. Larger rolls reduce seams but may be harder to handle. Always use the supplier’s stated coverage for your turf type.
5) Can I price materials and labor in different units?
Yes. Set each rate’s unit separately, and the calculator converts values internally. This helps when suppliers quote per square foot while your project documentation uses square meters.
6) How do I handle planting beds inside a turf zone?
Model the turf boundary as an outer rectangle, then subtract the bed as a cutout using an L-shape or by splitting into sections. This keeps the takeoff aligned with how crews install turf.
7) Do the exports include my section breakdown?
The CSV export includes a structured section list, and the PDF summary captures the key totals and settings. For detailed section reporting, keep the on-screen breakdown as the project record.