How Much Turf Do I Need? Rolls, Pallets and Topsoil (UK)
A 6 × 5 m lawn needs 32 rolls of turf (31.5 m², with 5% for cuts), and about 1.65 m³ of topsoil if you are improving the ground with 50 mm. Autumn, from September to November, is one of the best times to lay a new lawn in the UK. The chart below covers other sizes.
Turf for common lawn sizes
1 m² rolls, 5% for cuts and edges, a 70 m² pallet, and 50 mm of topsoil with 10% for settling:
| Lawn size | Area | Rolls | Pallets (70 m²) | Topsoil (50 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 3 m | 12 m² | 13 | 0.18 | 0.66 m³ |
| 5 × 4 m | 20 m² | 21 | 0.30 | 1.10 m³ |
| 6 × 5 m | 30 m² | 32 | 0.45 | 1.65 m³ |
| 8 × 5 m | 40 m² | 42 | 0.60 | 2.20 m³ |
| 10 × 6 m | 60 m² | 63 | 0.90 | 3.30 m³ |
| 10 × 8 m | 80 m² | 84 | 1.20 | 4.40 m³ |
Use the turf calculator for a different size, a different roll size or a bigger allowance for curves: use 10% if the lawn has curved beds or awkward corners.
What to buy
| What to buy | How much | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Turf | 32 rolls of 1 m² | Turf calculator: 30 m² plus 5% for cuts |
| Topsoil | 1.65 m³ | Only if your soil is poor or compacted. 50 mm spread and raked in, with 10% extra for settling. Bagged topsoil is sold in 25 to 50 litre bags |
| Pre-turfing fertiliser | 1 pack | Rake it in just before laying. Check the pack for the coverage in m² |
| Edging or a half-moon cutter | 1 | To cut the turf along the edges and keep a neat line |
| Sprinkler and hose | 1 set | New turf needs watering as soon as it is laid, and every day in dry spells for the first few weeks |
Before you lay it
- Prepare the ground well. Clear weeds and stones, dig it over, level it, firm it by treading, and rake it to a fine surface. This is the step that decides how good the lawn is.
- Order it for the day you will lay it. Turf is a living product and it heats up and yellows if it sits in a pile or on a pallet for more than a day or so.
- Start along a straight edge and lay the rolls in staggered rows, like brickwork, with the joints tight. Avoid short strips along the edge, which dry out.
- Water it well straight after laying, and keep it moist until it roots, which takes about two to three weeks. In a hosepipe ban, check what you are allowed to use.
- Stay off it for the first few weeks, and do not mow until it has rooted and the grass is 5 to 7 cm tall.
Mistakes that cost people money
- Laying turf on hard, lumpy or weedy ground. It will not root well and the surface will be bumpy.
- Letting the turf sit for days before laying it.
- Not watering enough in the first month, which is the most common reason new turf fails.
- Ordering exactly the lawn area, with nothing for cuts, so that you run short at the end.
Frequently asked questions
How many rolls of turf do I need for a 6m x 5m lawn?
32 rolls of 1 m² turf, which is 31.5 m² with 5% for cuts. That is about 0.45 of a 70 m² pallet.
How big is a roll of turf?
Most turf rolls in the UK cover 1 m², often about 610 mm wide by 1.64 m long. Some growers sell larger rolls of 1.5 or 1.8 m², so check the size with your supplier.
How much topsoil do I need under turf?
If your soil is poor, 25 to 50 mm spread and mixed in. A 30 m² lawn at 50 mm takes about 1.65 m³, with a little extra for settling.
When is the best time to lay turf?
In autumn and spring, when it is cool and damp and the roots establish quickly. You can lay it in summer, but it needs a great deal of watering, and in winter avoid frozen or waterlogged ground.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and check the Building Regulations and any planning rules for anything structural or close to a boundary.