Turf
Artificial Turf Base Calculator
Calculate the crushed stone base needed under artificial turf. Volume, tons, and compaction included.
Inputs
Live estimate
Material needed
5.56 cu yd
- Area
- 500 sq ft
- Cubic feet
- 125
- Cubic yards
- 4.63
- Estimated tons
- 8.33 tons
- Estimated truckloads
- 0.46
You will likely need
- •5.56 cu yd — material needed
- •Schedule 1 truck load
- •Approximate delivered weight: 8.33 tons
Diagram
Live estimate
- Mathematical quantity
- 6 cu yd
- Material behavior
- Not applicable
- Field conditions
- Not applied
- Ordering rule
- Round up to whole cubic yard
- Suggested order
- 6 cu yd
Estimator confidence
ModerateStraightforward geometry with well-defined material.
- Install in 2-inch lifts and compact each lift to 95% Proctor.
- Use a laser or string line to hit ±1/4 inch grade tolerance.
- Slope the base 1–2% for drainage — turf itself does not drain water sideways.
- Placing the base in one thick lift and getting soft spots.
- Skipping the moisture during compaction and never reaching target density.
- Ignoring drainage slope — puddles under turf destroy the sub-base.
Smart tips
- Ordering 5–10% extra is standard on irregular layouts. Running short costs more than the excess.
How it's calculated
Area is derived from your shape inputs and converted to sq ft.
Depth is converted to feet; cubic feet = area × depth.
Cubic yards = cubic feet ÷ 27, then × (1 + waste %) × (1 + compaction %).
Estimated tons = cubic yards (with waste) × 1.5.
Truckloads = cubic yards (with waste) ÷ truck capacity.
Total cost = cubic yards (with waste) × price per cubic yard + delivery.
Professional guidance
When to use
Every artificial turf installation over soil needs a stable, well-drained base.
Recommended depth
3 inches compacted for lawns; 4 inches for pet runs and high-traffic areas.
Pro tip
Compact in 1-inch lifts with a plate compactor and a light water pass — dry base won't compact.
Common mistakes
Skimping on base depth. A weak base shows every high spot and dip in the finished turf surface.
Material assumptions
- Base rock density: about 1.5 tons per cubic yard.
- Standard depth: 3–4 inches of compacted class-2 road base or decomposed granite.
- Base compacts 15–25%. Order extra to hit final depth.
Frequently asked questions
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These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.