How many turf rolls do I need per m²?

It depends on the roll size. Standard UK turf rolls are 1m x 0.4m (0.4 m² per roll), so you need 2.5 rolls per m². Many suppliers now offer 1m x 1m rolls (1 m² per roll), making calculation simpler — one roll per m². Always add 5% wastage for trimming edges and irregular shapes. This turf roll calculator supports both standard and large roll sizes.

When is the best time to lay turf in the UK?

The best times to lay turf (also called turfing or re-turfing a lawn) in the UK are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) when temperatures are mild and rainfall is regular. Avoid laying turf in summer heat or during winter frost. Turf can be laid year-round if you can water it adequately, but avoid frozen or waterlogged ground.

How much topsoil do I need before laying turf?

If your existing soil is reasonable, spread 25mm of fresh topsoil and rake level before laying turf. For poor soil or new builds where topsoil has been removed, you may need 100-150mm of topsoil. This calculator includes the 25mm preparation layer — for deeper topsoil, use our Topsoil Calculator (/landscaping/topsoil-calculator). For raised beds in the garden, see our Raised Bed Soil Calculator (/landscaping/raised-bed-soil-calculator).

Is it cheaper to use grass seed instead of turf?

Yes — grass seed is significantly cheaper than turf, typically costing 80-90% less per m². However, seed takes 2-3 weeks to germinate and 8-12 weeks to establish a usable lawn. Turf gives instant results. Seed rate is 35-50g per m² for a new lawn. Use 35g/m² for fine lawns, 50g/m² for hard-wearing family lawns. This lawn calculator shows both turf and seed quantities.

What should I put around the edges of my new lawn?

Define lawn edges with gravel borders, paving or decking. Use our Gravel Calculator (/landscaping/gravel-calculator) for decorative borders, Paving Slab Calculator (/landscaping/paving-slab-calculator) for paved edging, or Decking Calculator (/landscaping/decking-calculator) for timber decking next to the lawn. A well-defined edge makes mowing easier and gives a professional finish.

Turf Calculator — Rolls, Topsoil & Grass Seed for Lawns UK

Turf Calculator — Rolls, Topsoil & Grass Seed

Calculate turf rolls or grass seed needed for your lawn area. Includes topsoil quantities for ground preparation.

Enter total area directly

Toggle to enter area in m² instead of length × width

Lawn Length

Length of the lawn area

Lawn Width

Width of the lawn area

Turf Type

Roll Size

Include wastage allowance

Adds 5% extra for trimming and edges

Wastage Percentage

5% standard, 10% for curved/irregular areas

Price Per m² (optional)

Enter your supplier price for a cost estimate

How We Calculate This

Our turf calculator divides your lawn area by the turf roll size to determine how many rolls you need, including a wastage allowance for trimming. We also calculate topsoil for preparation and provide an alternative grass seed quantity.

Turf roll calculation

Rolls needed = Area (m²) ÷ Roll size (m²) × Wastage factor

UK standard roll sizes

Standard roll: 1m × 0.4m = 0.4 m² per roll (traditional UK size)
Large roll: 1m × 1m = 1 m² per roll (increasingly common)

Topsoil preparation

We calculate 25mm of topsoil for ground preparation:

Topsoil volume = Area × 0.025m, Weight = Volume × 1.4 t/m³

Grass seed alternative

New lawn (fine): 35g per m²
New lawn (hard-wearing): 50g per m²
Overseeding: 15-25g per m²

Wastage: We recommend 5% for turf — less than other materials because rolls can be butted together with minimal waste. Increase to 10% for irregular or curved areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.

Turf Calculator — Rolls, Topsoil & Grass Seed

How We Calculate This

Turf roll calculation

UK standard roll sizes

Topsoil preparation

Grass seed alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

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