How is turf sold in Australia?

Turf is sold by the square metre (m²) and usually delivered on pallets. Pallet coverage varies by supplier and turf type, commonly around 40–75 m² per pallet.

How much extra turf should I order for wastage?

Allow about 5% for a simple rectangular lawn and up to 10% for yards with curves, garden beds or lots of cuts around paths and trees.

Turf Calculator Australia — How Much Turf Do I Need? (m²)

Q: How much turf do I need?

Measure the length and width of each lawn area in metres, multiply them for the square metres, add every area together, then add 5–10% for wastage from cuts and curves. The calculator on this page does this automatically.

1. Measure your lawn

Add one area for each section of lawn. Enter metres — the calculator converts to m² for you.

2. Add wastage & cost

Wastage %

Price per m² ($)

m² per pallet

Tip: use 5% for a simple rectangle, up to 10% for curves and garden beds. Pallet coverage varies by supplier — 50 m² is a common default.

How to use the turf calculator

Working out how much turf you need comes down to one simple idea: find the area of every patch of lawn in square metres, add them together, then order a little extra so you're not left short on the day. This calculator handles the maths — including the fiddly bits like circular garden borders and triangular corners — so you can order with confidence.

Start by adding a rectangle for your main lawn and typing in the length and width in metres. Most backyards aren't perfect rectangles, so break yours into sections: a big rectangle for the open lawn, a smaller one for the side strip, and a triangle for that awkward corner by the fence. Each area you add is included in the running total on the right.

Why the wastage percentage matters. Turf is cut to fit as you lay it, and the offcuts around paths, trees and curves can't always be reused. Ordering 5–10% extra means you finish the job without a half-day gap waiting on another pallet. It's the single most common mistake first-time turf layers make.

Turf calculator FAQ

How much turf do I need for my lawn?

Measure the length and width of each lawn section in metres and multiply them to get square metres. Add every section together, then add 5–10% for wastage. For example, a 6 m × 4 m backyard is 24 m²; with 10% wastage you'd order about 26–27 m². Enter your own measurements above for an exact figure.

How is turf sold and delivered in Australia?

Turf is sold by the square metre and delivered fresh on pallets, usually cut into slabs or rolls. How many m² fit on a pallet depends on the supplier and turf variety — commonly somewhere between 40 and 75 m². Set your supplier's pallet size in the calculator to see how many pallets you'll need.

Should I round up when ordering turf?

Yes. It's better to have a spare slab or two than to run out mid-job — freshly cut turf needs to go down quickly, and a return trip for a small top-up isn't always possible. Round up to the nearest whole pallet or half pallet if your supplier allows it.

Does the calculator work for sloped or terraced lawns?

Measure the surface following the slope rather than the flat "map" distance — a slope has more surface area than it looks from above. For terraced or heavily contoured yards, measure each level separately and add them as individual areas.