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How to measure your lawn

If you’re lucky enough to have a square or rectangular lawn, measuring its area is simplicity itself. Measure the width and the length, and multiply the two together. This gives you your area. 

Whether you measure in feet, yards or metres, you can use our Turf Calculator to do the calculation for you.

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How to Measure Your Lawn Accurately

How to Measure Your Lawn Accurately 

If you want to order turf without over- or under-buying, you need to measure your lawn area accurately. The simplest method is to measure the width and length and multiply them together. For irregular shapes, break the area into smaller sections or use graph paper to estimate the total square metres. Always add at least 5 to 10% extra to allow for cutting and shaping.

Below, we explain exactly how to measure a lawn of any shape, how much extra turf to order, and how to avoid common mistakes.

Whether you measure in feet, yards or metres, you can use our Turf Calculator to do the calculation for you.

How do I measure a square or rectangular lawn?

If your lawn is square or rectangular, measuring it is straightforward.

  1. Measure the length in metres.
  2. Measure the width in metres.
  3. Multiply the two numbers together.

Length × Width = Area (in square metres)

For example: 10 metres × 8 metres = 80 square metres.

This figure tells you how much turf you need before allowing for cutting.

If you prefer to measure in feet or yards, convert your result to square metres before ordering. Turf in the UK is typically sold by the square metre, including Rolawn Medallion® Turf and other premium varieties.

How do I measure an irregularly shaped lawn?

Many modern gardens include curves, angles, borders, patios, or planting beds. Measuring these lawns takes a little more time, but it is still manageable.

Method 1: Break it into rectangles

  • Divide the lawn into smaller squares or rectangles.
  • Measure each section separately.
  • Add the areas together.

This works well for L-shaped lawns or gardens with simple extensions.

Rolawn graphic depicting how to calculate garden area

Method 2: Use graph paper for curved lawns

For more complex shapes:

  1. Measure the maximum length and width.
  2. Sketch the shape onto graph paper.
  3. Use a scale, such as 1 square = 1 square metre.
  4. Count full squares.
  5. Estimate partially filled squares.

Round your estimate up rather than down. Ordering slightly more turf avoids visible joins or shortages.

If you are really not sure how to measure the area then contact us so that we can help.

Compost in gardeners hands

How much extra turf should I order?

We recommend ordering at least 5% more turf than your calculated area.

This allows for:

  • Trimming edges
  • Shaping around borders
  • Minor measuring inaccuracies

Professional landscapers often allow slightly more for complex layouts.

If you are replacing your lawn completely, careful preparation is just as important as accurate measuring. Laying high-quality turf, such as Rolawn Medallion Turf or shade-tolerant varieties, on well-prepared soil gives far better long-term results than trying to correct gaps later.
[Use our turf calculator]

What size is a roll of turf?

Rolawn turf is supplied in rolls of approximately one square metre.

Each roll measures roughly 610mm wide by 1640mm long when harvested.

This makes calculations simple. If your lawn measures 80 square metres, you will need 80 rolls, plus your 5% allowance.

One-square-metre rolls also cover around 20% more ground than square-yard rolls, which makes comparing prices easier when assessing value.

FAQs

Turf is a long-term investment in your home. Healthy lawns improve soil structure, reduce surface water runoff and support garden biodiversity. Good preparation and accurate measuring are the foundation of long-term lawn success.Professional growers focus on soil quality first because even the best turf cannot thrive on poorly prepared ground. Measuring properly ensures your budget goes towards quality turf and correct preparation rather than last-minute adjustments.
If you are unsure which turf variety suits your garden’s light levels or soil type, getting advice early can prevent unnecessary cost later.
[Use our turf calculator]

How do I work out how much turf I need?

Measure the total area in square metres, then add at least5% extra. For example, a 50m² lawn would require approximately 52 to 53m² of turf.

If you under-order, matching turf batches later can be difficult. Turf is a natural product and colour can vary slightly between harvests. Ordering enough at the start avoids visible differences. Also bear in mind, if ordering online, many suppliers will have a minimum order quantity which means you will be required to order more than needed and will incur the full delivery charge again.

Measure before removing the old lawn. Existing edges and boundaries give you clear reference points.

Not necessarily. Most irregular lawns can be measured accurately with patience and graph paper. If you are unsure, our team can guide you before you order.

Even accurate measurements require trimming. Borders are rarely perfectly straight. This is why allowing a minimum of 5% extra turf is important.

Turf is a long-term investment in your home. Healthy lawns improve soil structure, reduce surface water runoff and support garden biodiversity. Good preparation and accurate measuring are the foundation of long-term lawn success.Professional growers focus on soil quality first because even the best turf cannot thrive on poorly prepared ground. Measuring properly ensures your budget goes towards quality turf and correct preparation rather than last-minute adjustments.

If you are unsure which turf variety suits your garden’s light levels or soil type, getting advice early can prevent unnecessary cost later.
[Use our turf calculator]

Further guidance

If you are planning to lay new turf, you may also find these helpful:

Our Information Centre includes detailed seasonal lawn care guidance designed for UK conditions.

Even accurate measurements require trimming. Borders are rarely perfectly straight. This is why allowing a minimum of 5% extra turf is important.

Recommended products:

Lawn care reminders to your inbox

You can also sign up to our newsletter to receive free seasonal lawn care advice and reminders of essential maintenance, as well as general horticultural advice and special offers from Rolawn.

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Important update: Temporary 6.5% surcharge effective 7 April 

At Rolawn, we are committed to maintaining the high standards of quality and service our customers expect, so we want to be open with our customers about a change that will affect pricing from Tuesday 7th April. 

This decision has been taken in response to disruption to energy supplies, which has led to significant increases in wholesale prices, affecting not only fuel and fertiliser but also costs throughout our wider supply chain. As a business that relies heavily on fuel for both transport and operations, these sustained cost pressures have become increasingly difficult to absorb.  

While we have worked hard to mitigate the impact, the scale and pace of recent price increases have now exceeded what we can sustain internally, and we therefore need to recover a proportion of these externally driven increases. 

From Tuesday 7th April, a temporary 6.5% surcharge will apply to all products.  

We know that any increase in price is frustrating, particularly at a time when many businesses and households are already feeling under pressure. That is why we want to be clear that this is not a decision we have made lightly, and not one we wanted to make. It has been introduced solely to help offset unavoidable cost inflation and allow us to continue delivering the quality, reliability and service standards associated with Rolawn. 

We will continue to monitor market conditions closely and will review this surcharge as soon as circumstances allow, providing reasonable notice of any changes. We recognise that any price increase is unwelcome, but this step is necessary to ensure the continuity and reliability of our operations during a period of ongoing uncertainty. 

We remain committed to providing the quality, reliability and service standards you expect from Rolawn, and we truly appreciate your understanding and continued support. 

If you have any questions, please contact our customer support team who will be happy to help.