How to Measure Your Garden
So, you have chosen to turf an area of your garden but have no idea how many rolls of turf you need to order? Don’t worry! Follow our tips below to help.
Lawn turf comes in rectangular rolls which cover 12m, but gardens rarely come in that size. How can you figure out how much turf you need, especially if you have a circular, triangular, or odd-shaped garden?
Before we begin, it is important to double-check your chosen supplier's turf comes in 1m2 rolls, as this will make life much easier. At Online Turf, we harvest our rolls in long, thin strips, which makes it easier to lay, but the area they cover still works out at 1m2.
This guide will help you measure your garden, no matter its shape. When measuring your lawn, try to measure in metres if possible, as this will save any converting later on. If you do measure in feet or yards, however, we’ve included conversion calculations throughout this blog. Use our handy turf calculator to assist in calculating the turf you need, and if you’re looking for the best turf money can buy, browse our range of hard-wearing, luscious turf.
Prefer a more visual way to digest information?
Try our How to Measure Your Garden Infographic, a step-by-step guide taking you through how to measure gardens of square, rectangular, circular, triangular and any other shape. It also guides you through the ordering process and offers advice on the end figure you should aim for.
The Magic Numbers to Convert to Square Metres
Whatever shape your garden is, once you have managed to work out the area, you are almost there. If you have measured in feet or yards, simply use the numbers below to convert your area into square metres.
My area is in feet: multiply this number by 0.093
My area is in yards: multiply this number by 0.831
Measuring Square and Rectangular Gardens
Let’s start with the easier-shaped gardens! Start by measuring the length and width of your garden, then follow the steps below depending on which unit you have used.
If you have measured the garden in metres, simply multiply the two values together to get the area in square metres. For example, if your garden is 7 metres long by 5 metres wide, the area would be 7 times 5, so 35m2.
If you have measured the garden in feet, multiply the two values together to give you the area in square feet. To convert this to square metres, simply multiply this answer by 0.093. For example, if your garden is 15 feet by 22 feet, it is 330 square feet. Multiply this by 0.093, and your garden is 31m2.
If you have measured your garden in yards, multiply the two values together to give you the area in square yards. To convert this to square metres, simply multiply the answer by 0.831. For example, if your garden is 10 yards by 7 yards, your garden is 70 square yards. Multiply this by 0.831 and your garden is 59m2.
If measured in metres:
Measure the length of your garden.
Measure the width of your garden.
Multiply length × width.
Result = area in square metres (m²).
- Convert to feet or yards using the factors below:
Feet → multiply by 0.093.
Yards → multiply by 0.831.
Measuring Circular Gardens
If you are fortunate enough to have a circular garden, the good news is that they aren’t too difficult to measure if you need the area in square metres.
Start by measuring a straight line from the centre of the circle to the outside – this is the radius. Multiply this value by itself and then multiply the answer by Pi (3.142), giving you the area. If you have measured in feet or yards, look at the above section for the magic numbers you need to convert this into square metres.
Steps:
Measure a straight line from the centre of the circle to the edge (the radius).
Multiply the radius by itself (radius × radius).
Multiply this result by Pi (3.142).
Result = area in chosen unit (m² if radius was measured in metres).
If measured in feet or yards:
- Convert to feet or yards using the factors below:
Feet → multiply by 0.093.
Yards → multiply by 0.831.
Measuring Triangular Gardens
The area of a triangle depends on both the length of the sides and the angles within it. We think the easiest way to measure is by first looking at your garden and identifying the longest side of the triangle. Measure the length of this side - this will be the base.
Then, identify the corner of the triangle that is opposite this side (not the ones at either end of this line). Measure a straight line from this corner to the base, making sure that this line meets the base perpendicular, as close to 90°as possible. This will be the height.
Then multiply the base by the height and divide this answer by 2, giving you the area. If you have measured in feet or yards, look at the above section for the magic numbers you need to convert this into square metres.
Identify the longest side of the triangle (the base).
Measure the base length.
Find the corner opposite the base.
Measure a straight height line from this corner down to the base (must meet base at a 90° angle).
Multiply base × height.
Divide the result by 2.
Result = area in chosen unit (m² if measured in metres).
- Convert to feet or yards using the factors below:
Feet → multiply by 0.093.
Yards → multiply by 0.831.
How to Measure an Odd-Shaped Garden
If your garden is an odd shape, you may think you have to work out a fancy formula. However, the best tactic is to divide and conquer. Try to split the area into squares, rectangles and triangles and measure each section separately. Once you have finished, simply add all the areas up and you shouldn’t go wrong.
Once you have worked out how many rolls of turf you need, we recommend adding a few extra rolls onto your order, which should cover any slight errors in measurement. Plus, having a few extras makes it easier if you have some fiddly corners to cut around, and trust us - you’d rather have a little more than you need than not enough.
At Online Turf, we don’t just lay turf, but lay the foundation for new gardeners to learn about caring for their garden. Need assistance now on how to lay down your new turf? Read our turf laying guide today, and browse our knowledge base for tips and tricks to help your garden flourish into a green sanctuary. And if you have any questions about our products, contact us today, and our customer service team will be happy to help.
