MetreMate · metremate.com/calculators
Free calculator
Turf calculator
Turf is sold by the square metre. Add up the lawn area, then add 5% for a simple shape or 10% for an irregular one and round up. A 10 × 6 m lawn is 60 m², so order 63 m².
Your job
Lawn areas
Split odd-shaped lawns into rectangles, circles and triangles.
Shape and base
Turf farms ask for at least 100 mm of underlay soil. Set it to 0 if the existing soil is good.
Optional
Ask your turf farm. The greyed number is an example only and is never used in your result.
Each area to the same scale, with its size. Below, the turf on its underlay.
Turf to order
63m²
60.0 m² + 5% for cutting
Lawn area
60.0m²
1 area
Underlay soil
6.0m³
6.00 m³ at 100 mm deep
Starter fertiliser
1.2kg
2 kg per 100 m², spread on the base
Laying time
1.5hours
One person at about 40 m² an hour
The working, with your numbers
- 1. Area10.00 × 6.00= 60.00 m²
- 2. Turf60.00 × 1.05, rounded up= 63 m²
- 3. Underlay60.00 × 0.100= 6.00 m³
- 4. Fertiliser60.00 ÷ 100 × 2= 1.2 kg
Turf estimate (metremate.com/calculators/turf-calculator)
- Area 1: 10.00 × 6.00 m = 60.00 m²
- Turf: 60.00 m² + 5% = order 63 m²
- Underlay: 6.00 m³ at 100 mm (order 6.0 m³)
- Starter fertiliser: 1.2 kg
- Estimate only. Check slab sizes and delivery minimums with your turf farm.
The formula, in plain words
- 1Area: length × width for a rectangle, π × (diameter ÷ 2)² for a circle, base × height ÷ 2 for a triangle. Add every area.
- 2Turf to order = area × 1.05 for simple shapes or × 1.10 for irregular ones, rounded up to the whole m².
- 3Underlay soil m³ = area × depth (at least 100 mm), ordered by the half cubic metre.
- 4Starter fertiliser = area ÷ 100 × 2 kg.
- 5Laying time: about 40 m² per person per hour.
Worked example
A 10 × 6 m rectangular lawn on 100 mm of new underlay.
- 1.Area: 10 × 6 = 60 m². Simple shape, so + 5%: 63 m² of turf.
- 2.Underlay: 60 × 0.1 = 6 m³. Starter fertiliser: 60 ÷ 100 × 2 = 1.2 kg.
- 3.Laying: 60 ÷ 40 = 1.5 hours for one person.
Answer: 63 m² of turf, 6 m³ of underlay and 1.2 kg of starter fertiliser.
How to measure it
- Measure each lawn area's length and width, or a round bed's diameter.
- Split odd shapes into rectangles, circles and triangles.
- Leave out garden beds, paths and paving.
- Pick irregular if the lawn has curves or lots of edges to cut around.
Where the numbers come from
Every default in the calculator is a number a supplier or manufacturer publishes. We list the source next to it so you can check.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Turf is ordered by the square metre | 1 m² | Jimboomba Turf (checked 2026-10-01) |
| For simple areas like a rectangle, order 5% extra | 5 % | Lawn Solutions Australia, How to lay turf part 1: measuring (checked 2026-10-01) |
| For complex irregular areas, order 10% extra | 10 % | Lawn Solutions Australia, How to lay turf part 1: measuring (checked 2026-10-01) |
| Underlay to a depth of at least 100 mm: 2 m³ for every 20 m² of turf | 100 mm | Jimboomba Turf, How to lay turf (checked 2026-10-01) |
| Apply starter fertiliser at 2 kg per 100 m² to the base | 2 kg per 100 m² | Coolabah Turf, Laying turf guide (checked 2026-10-01) |
| A DIY layer covers approximately 40 m² per person per hour | 40 m² per person per hour | Coolabah Turf, Laying turf guide (checked 2026-10-01) |
| Bulk soils, mulches and gravels sold per ½ m³ and per m³ | 0.5 m³ | Nuway Landscape Supplies, retail price list (2026) (checked 2026-10-01) |
Manufacturers named here are the source of the number, not a recommendation. Confirm quantities with your supplier.
Frequently asked questions
Stop typing measurements in by hand
MetreMate measures every wall, floor and roof straight off your PDF plan. Then it hands you the same numbers this calculator asks for.
Try MetreMate freeEstimate only. Check quantities and stocked sizes with your supplier. Free calculators at metremate.com/calculators.