How this calculator works
This compares turf and seed on one lawn. Turf is the area plus an allowance for cuts, in rolls of 1 m², and a pallet is about 70 m². Seed is the area times the rate in grams per m². Both need the same topsoil, which is the area times the depth, plus 10% for settling.
Worked example: a 6 × 5 m lawn (30 m²) takes 32 rolls of turf (0.45 of a pallet) with 5% for cuts, or 1.16 kg of seed at 35 g per m². Preparing the ground with 50 mm of topsoil takes 1.65 m³, which is 33 bags of 50 litres.
Turf and seed by lawn size (5% turf waste, 35 g per m² of seed, 50 mm of topsoil)
Turf in 1 m² rolls; topsoil includes 10% for settling.
| Lawn | Turf rolls | Seed | Topsoil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 × 3 m | 13 | 0.46 kg | 0.66 m³ |
| 5 × 4 m | 21 | 0.77 kg | 1.10 m³ |
| 6 × 5 m | 32 | 1.16 kg | 1.65 m³ |
| 8 × 5 m | 42 | 1.54 kg | 2.20 m³ |
| 10 × 6 m | 63 | 2.31 kg | 3.30 m³ |
Tips before you buy
- Order turf for the day you will lay it. It heats up and yellows if it sits on a pallet for more than a day or so.
- Sow seed in early autumn or spring, when the soil is warm and damp, and keep it moist until the grass is up.
- Lay turf in staggered rows like brickwork, with the joints tight, and water it well straight away.
- Stay off a new lawn for two to three weeks, and do not mow turf or seed until it has rooted.
- In a hosepipe ban, check what you are allowed to use to water a new lawn.
Tools & materials for this project
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many rolls of turf do I need for a 6m x 5m lawn?
32 rolls of 1 m² turf with 5% for cuts. With 10% for a curved lawn it is 33. A pallet of about 70 m² would be more than you need.
How much grass seed do I need for a 30 m² lawn?
About 1.2 kg for a new lawn at 35 g per m² with 10% extra. Buy two 1 kg boxes.
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.
Is it cheaper to sow seed or lay turf?
Seed is much cheaper, often a tenth of the cost, but a seeded lawn takes a couple of months to be ready for use and needs more care. Turf is usable in a few weeks.
Add this calculator to your website
Running a blog, a contractor site or a class page? You can put this calculator on it for free. Copy the code below, and please leave the link underneath the calculator in place. The small script just resizes the frame to fit the results; if your site strips scripts, the calculator still works inside a scrolling frame.
Related calculators & guides
Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.