Lawn turf planning
Calculate net area and pieces using the product size you will buy
Back to calculator ↑Find net area
Measure the rectangular lawn, subtract beds, paving and other exclusions. Split irregular areas and add them before entry.
Measure the area that will actually receive turf and total the exclusions for trees, paths and flower beds in square metres. For an L-shaped lawn, split it into rectangles instead of using one large bounding box. Trace curved borders on a sketch as well: bends may require more cuts than a plain rectangle suggests.
Check turf size
Enter each turf piece’s actual dimensions; pallet count is not area coverage.
Actual turf pieces vary by supplier and harvest method; confirm length and width per piece. If sold as long rolls or by square metre, use that product’s real coverage instead of the default 1 × 0.5 m. Plan the laying direction and starting edge because staggered seams and narrow borders affect whether offcuts can be reused.
Default example
The default net area is 40 m² and each piece covers 0.5 m², so a loss-free area count starts at 80 pieces. Five percent raises the purchase area to 42 m², or 84 pieces. Subtract exclusions before adding allowance: excluding 2 m² would start from 38 m², rather than adding waste to 40 m² and deducting afterward.
Plan delivery
Prepare soil before delivery and lay fresh turf promptly, as RHS advises.
RHS advises preparing the soil and arranging delivery close to laying time. Fresh turf left stacked too long can deteriorate before installation. Check soil condition, levels, watering and the labour available on delivery day. An entered price per piece compares turf material only; ground preparation, topsoil and transport are outside that figure.
Common questions
Can exclusions exceed the lawn area?
An exclusion equal to the whole rectangle leaves no turf area, so the calculator rejects it. For separate patches, measure each and total their positive net areas.
Why round pieces up?
Turf is purchased as whole pieces. Edge offcuts may or may not fit another boundary, so the count rounds up rather than ordering a fraction of a piece.
Is 5% enough allowance?
Five percent is a starting assumption for a simple layout. Curves and obstacles create more offcuts; sketch piece rows and adjust allowance for the cuts expected.
Sources and calculation guidance
Check these against your chosen product’s label and instructions.