Turf
Artificial Turf Infill Calculator
Calculate the infill (silica sand or rubber) needed for your artificial turf install. Pounds, bags, and cost.
Inputs
Live estimate
Infill needed
1,000 lb
- Area
- 500 sq ft
- Coverage (with waste)
- 500 sq ft
- 50 lb bags
- 20
- Estimated tons
- 0.5
You will likely need
- •1,000 lb — infill needed
- •Approximate delivered weight: 0.5
- •20 bags
Diagram
Live estimate
- Mathematical quantity
- 1,000 lb
- Material behavior
- Not applicable
- Field conditions
- Not applied
- Ordering rule
- Round up to whole bag
- Suggested order
- 1,000 lb
Estimator confidence
HighStraightforward geometry with well-defined material.
- Infill rate (lb/sq ft) — Pile height drives lb-per-sq-ft more than turf brand — verify with the product spec.
- Selected infill product — Silica sand, coated sand, and rubber crumb have different application rates and bag sizes.
- Bag size — The primary result is required pounds; final ordering rounds up to whole bags of the chosen bag size.
- Apply infill in 2–3 passes, brushing between each pass.
- Plan a top-off visit at 3 months for high-traffic installations.
- Match infill type to end use — playgrounds and pet zones need different products.
- Applying all infill at once without brushing between passes.
- Using silica in pet areas — organic anti-microbial infills perform better.
- Skipping the 3-month top-off on new installations.
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.
Infill (lb) = coverage × 2 lb per sq ft.
Bags = ceil(pounds ÷ 50 lb per bag).
Professional guidance
When to use
Every artificial turf install needs infill — it weighs the turf down and keeps blades vertical.
Recommended rate
1.5–2 lb/sq ft for lawns, 3–4 lb/sq ft for pet areas, 5–8 lb/sq ft for sports fields.
Pro tip
Apply infill in two passes and brush the fibers up between passes. Grain settles evenly and blades stand tall.
Common mistakes
Skipping infill to save money. Un-infilled turf mats down quickly and looks worn within a year.
Material assumptions
- Standard infill rate: 1.5–2 lb per sq ft for landscape turf.
- Sport turf: 5–8 lb per sq ft.
- Silica sand for economy; coated sand for pet-friendly odor control.
Frequently asked questions
Related calculators
These results are estimates only. Confirm quantities, compaction, waste, and delivery requirements with your supplier or project professional before ordering materials.