Infill Landscape Blog
“How Much Artificial Turf Infill Do I Need?” How to Calculate It Based on Your Infill, Turf, & Project Type
Pile height. Infill depth. Granule size. The jargon around artificial turf can get overwhelming. Artificial turf comes in all shapes and sizes, and these different variances, textures, and technologies all affect the amount of turf infill you need for your artificial turf yard, playground, or home landscaping project. (Backyard putting green, anyone?)
The calculations can get heady quickly — which is why we thought we’d knock out some of the math for you. Below, we’ll share a simple artificial turf infill calculator based on the infill type you’re using, with tips for different artificial turf applications that homeowners can use. But first, let’s get a quick refresh on what artificial turf infill even is and why it matters.
In this quick guide, we’ll cover:
What is Infill and Why Do You Need It?
Before we dive into the calculations, let’s understand what artificial turf infill means to your turf system’s performance, safety, and longevity.
What is Infill?
Artificial turf infill is the material interspersed between the fibers (or blades) of artificial grass for performance, comfort, safety, and aesthetic appeal. It’s added after your turf is laid, usually via a drop spreader and push broom, to complete your synthetic turf system.
Infill essentially plays the role that dirt and other sediment plays in natural grass lawns, keeping turf blades upright. Pound for pound, it’s also the largest component of a turf system, constituting 90% of its weight and impacting turf performance, comfort, and safety more than any other component. That makes a high-quality infill even more essential for yards and playgrounds that play host to romping kiddos and pets, not to mention aging knees. Let’s unpack turf infill’s benefits in a bit more in detail.
Why is Turf Infill Important?
1. Infill absorbs impact: Infill adds cushioning, shock absorption, and a stable base to artificial turf, making a critical difference in its safety and comfort. For a surface that’s both softer and higher performing, turf with a quality, non-migratory infill is as trusted for backyard play areas as it is for school stadiums.
2. Infill improves drainage: Some artificial turf infill options, like coated sand infills, are designed to let water flow through the turf system rather than pool on its surface. This keeps your turf from getting waterlogged and ensures it stays usable, no matter the climate or weather.
3. Infill keeps turf standing tall: Without infill to fill the gaps between artificial grass blades, they’d flop over and flatten, giving your turf a matted and unnatural look. Infill helps keep turf blades upright so that your turf better mimics the look of lush, perfectly maintained natural grass. Not only that, but upright turf blades also make for a softer, more natural feeling surface to walk, play, or lounge on.
4. Infill keeps turf in place: Infill acts as a ballast, weighing down turf and preventing it from wrinkling, lifting, or shifting, especially in heavy traffic zones and across large installation areas. Infill also mitigates the effect of temperature changes on your turf backing, helping it to resist expanding or contracting. All together, that’ll help you maintain a smooth, even surface.
5. Infill extends turf’s lifespan: Infill adds an extra layer of protection for the backing of artificial grass, shielding it from UV rays, wear and tear, and pet claws. And infill’s shock absorption benefits also minimize wear and tear on your individual artificial grass fibers, too, increasing your whole system’s lifespan.
6. Some infills make turf cleaner and more climate-resistant: Today’s most innovative infills don’t just stop at making your turf look and feel good long-term. Consider: Microban®-infused Envirofill takes things to the next level with antibacterial properties that help prevent the growth of bacteria, mildew, and other stain- and odor-causing microbes. And the all-organic infill Safeshell, made from 100% U.S. grown and allergen-treated walnut shells, excels at evaporative cooling for a cooler, heat-resistant turf surface. Both are non-toxic and designed for use across climates, keeping your turf system clean, safe, and low-maintenance at all times of year.
Can You Install Turf Without Infill?
Here’s the technical answer: Yes, you could. For a small-scale, temporary turf application or an area with very minimal foot traffic, you might be able to get by without using infill. For essentially all other artificial turf installations, though, turf infill is downright essential. It’s the key to making your artificial turf space safe, durable, aesthetically appealing, and high performing.
What Are the Different Types of Artificial Turf Infill?
Ready for a quick refresh on the most common artificial turf infill options for residential landscaping and recreation projects?
- Raw silica sand is an affordable, widely available choice for residential lawns and light-traffic areas. That said, it’s known to retain heat and harden, causing safety concerns without frequent maintenance, and it can give turf lawns a dusty look.
- Coated sand infill offers excellent drainage and, with Envirofill, superior microbial resistance, perfect for keeping things clean for kids and pets. Although it’s pricier than raw silica sand, it’s much longer lasting: Envirofill is backed by a 16-year warranty, the most extensive coverage in the industry.
- Organic infills, made from biodegradable materials like cork or coconut fibers, are known for reducing turf surface temperatures. However, some organic infills can migrate easily and require frequent top-offs, making them higher maintenance than non-organic products. Not Safeshell. It’s the most durable natural infill on the market, made from 100% organic, USDA-certified walnut shells that don’t break down, float, or require regular irrigation like many organic infills. With an 8-year warranty, it’s proof that sustainable and low-maintenance can go hand in hand.
For a deeper dive into the differences between artificial turf infill options, check out our in-depth explainer.
Artificial Turf Infill Calculator: How Much Turf Infill Do I Need?
We get a lot of questions about how to choose the correct amount of artificial turf infill. It might not be the answer you’re looking for, but the truth is that the amount you need depends.
The type of artificial turf you use as well as your turf blades’ height, the type of infill you’ve chosen, the climate you’re in, whether your intended turf location has naturally good drainage, and the exact type of turf project you’re doing (e.g., a lightly trafficked front lawn or a backyard pet area used daily) can all impact the amount of infill you need. Before going any further, make sure you can answer:
- What type of infill do you want to use? Does it matter to you if it’s organic vs. not organic?
- How much foot traffic do you anticipate in this area?
- Are there any changes in slope or surface levelness, or is the whole area flat?
- What’s the square footage of the area where you’re installing turf?
- What is your pile height (or, the length of your artificial turf blades, measured from where the tufts bind to the backing to the tips of the blades, typically in inches)?
- What is your needed infill depth (measured from the base of the turf system to the top of the infill layer)?
- Does your specific turf type come with infill specifications? Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for any unique requirements for infill type and quantity. You can usually find them on the manufacturer’s website.
If you’re not sure of the answer to any of these questions, know that our team of turf and infill experts are just a phone call away to help guide you through the process!
Once you’ve got these basics down, you can start making calculations, including with the help of the general recommendations below.
Learn more: Why Is Turf Infill Important In Your Backyard’s Artificial Grass?
How Much Infill per Square Foot of Turf?
The best rule-of-thumb formula is typically to divide the pile height of the turf by two, multiply it by the square footage of the area, and then multiply by 0.0833333 to get the number of required cubic feet. This number is then multiplied by the infill weight per cubic foot to determine the total weight of infill needed in pounds.
For an example, let’s look at Envirofill used in a residential landscape application. Here, the safe bet is between 2.5 and 3.5 lbs. of 12/20 or 16/30 Envirofill per square foot. The table below shows how we factor turf pile height, turf type, and infill depth into this equation. You can keep this table handy when you’re figuring out your needs.
What size of Envirofill should you go for? Read our blog post here.
| Envirofill Size | Turf Pile Height | Turf Spec | Depth | Lbs. Per Sqft. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/50 | 1/2″ | Texturized PE/Nylon | 7/16” – 1/2″ | 1.5-2.0lbs |
| 30/50 | 5/8″ | Texturized PE/Nylon | 9/16” – 5/8″ | 2.0-2.5lbs |
| 20/40 | 5/8″ | Texturized PE Tennis | 5/8″ – 11/16″ | 2.5lbs-3lbs |
| 16/30 | 1-1¼” | PE/PP Putting | ¼” (Top dressed) | .25-.5lbs |
| 12/20 or 16/30 | 1-1¼” | Pet/Playground | ⅜” – ½” | 1.5-2.5lbs |
| 12/20 or 16/30 | 1½ – 1 ¾ | Landscape | ½” – ¾” | 2.5-3.5lbs |
| 12/20 or 16/30 | 1⅞” – 2 ¼” | Landscape | ¾” – 1” | 3.5-4.5lbs |
Outside of the above guidance, there are some modifications to infill amounts you’ll want to make for certain types of turf projects, like:
Putting greens: For putting green applications, it’s important to understand the difference between a texturized installation and a sand-filled installation. A texturized putting green is manufactured with a short pile height of about half an inch, using about 1.5-2.5 lbs. of Envirofill 30/50 per square foot. A sand-filled putting green is manufactured with a taller 1”- 1 1/4” pile height and demands more infill — as much as 4-6 lbs per square foot of round raw sand ballast topped with ½-1lb of 16/30 Envirofill per square foot. Learn more about our turf and infill solution for putting greens.
Pet play areas: Envirofill was designed with dogs in mind. Ultra-safe and Microban®-infused, it stays clean, hygienic, and easy to maintain even if your pups frequently pee on it. If your installation will be shared with one or several canine companions, you may want to veer toward 3 pounds per square foot.
Say you’ve chosen to go with an organic infill — we’ll use Safeshell here as an example. Is the amount of infill you’ll need the same as when installing other, non-organic infill products?
With Safeshell infill used in landscaping applications with a turf pile height of 1½ – 1¾”, we recommend 1.25 to 1.75 pounds of infill per square foot. In playground applications, you can use a bit less. Check out the table below for a quick breakdown:
| Turf Pile Height | Turf Spec | Depth | Lbs. Per Sqft. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1¼” | Playground | ⅜” – ½” | .75-1.25lbs |
| 1½ – 1 ¾ | Landscape | ½” – ¾” | 1.25-1.75lbs |
| 1⅞” – 2 ¼” | Landscape | ¾” – 1” | 1.75-2.25lbs |
What About Infill Amounts for Other Infill Types?
As far as infill amount recommendations for other types of infill, it’s always best practice to consult directly with the maker of your infill product, as well as to reference any infill needs specified by your turf manufacturer. For raw silica sand infill, a rule of thumb often given is to use about 2-3 pounds of silica sand infill per square foot of turf with a pile height of 1–2 inches. As with Envirofill and Safeshell, though, the amount of infill you need could be higher in higher-use areas than what’s recommended on average. Again, it’s always best to check numbers against the specifications from your infill manufacturer.
Learn more: The Ultimate Checklist for Turf Infill Installation
How Often Do I Need to Top Off or Replace My Artificial Turf Infill?
Artificial turf infill isn’t a one-time purchase, of course. But exactly when will you need to replace or replenish your infill? The frequency depends on several factors, including the type of infill used, the area’s level of usage and foot traffic, the climate and weather conditions, and your overall maintenance routine. (FYI, Envirofill is reusable and can be used for at least two turf lifecycles.)
Rather than adhering to an arbitrary timeline for infill replenishment, keep tabs on your turf system by checking for infill depth once a year (or as often as every six months in higher-use areas), using an infill gauge and your infill manufacturer’s depth guidelines. If you only have a few low-infill areas, start by adding handfuls of infill directly into those spots. Apply a thin layer at a time to avoid overfilling, as both too little and too much infill can lead to matting and cosmetic issues, not to mention a loss of turf’s cushioning and drainage. After more infill is added, you can use your broom, Grandi Groom, or a small artificial grass brush to work it into the turf.
If your infill is extremely low throughout, it’s a good idea to bring in or consult with an expert for any larger-scale infill replenishments or replacements. (Remember: With a high-quality, non-migratory infill, you can go a long time before this moment comes!) For all Motz customers, our team of turf and infill care experts are here to give you the right guidance. Set on DIY-ing it? You can give these Envirofill installation guidelines a download, too.
No matter your infill maker or quality, just be sure to monitor things. Neglecting to maintain proper infill levels can compromise turf’s quality, safety, and lifespan, and if damage progresses too far, it’s difficult to fully restore turf to its original condition.
Finding the Right Infill for Your Turf Project
Infill is perhaps the most critical component of any artificial turf system. We hope this guide was helpful to you not only in understanding how much infill you’ll need, but also in making your decision between types of infill! Whatever product you choose, make sure it fits your needs best while also considering factors like safety, longevity, what the product is made from, and the impact it will have on the environment.
To learn more about what artificial turf infill options are available and which is the best pick for your field, lawn, or putting green, reach out to our team – we’re always glad to help. That includes if you still have any questions about proper infill depth, the weight of an infill application, or how to install your infill; our infill experts are just a phone call away!
