Most garden turf rolls sit around 25–35 mm thick, with roots relying on 150–200 mm of good soil underneath.
If you are pricing up a new lawn or comparing suppliers, the question “How Thick Is Garden Turf?” comes up fast. Turf thickness affects how the lawn feels underfoot, how quickly it roots, and how much soil work you need before delivery.
This guide breaks turf thickness into clear, usable numbers so you can plan a lawn that suits your garden.
How Thick Is Garden Turf? Standard Rolls And Roots
Fresh garden turf is a living carpet made up of grass plants and a thin slice of soil that holds the roots together. Most growers cut natural lawn turf to a thickness between about 25 mm and 45 mm, measured from the base of the soil layer to the tips of the grass blades. Some suppliers cut slightly thinner rolls around 15–20 mm to make them lighter to lift and easier to handle by hand.
The exact figure depends on how long the grass was left to grow before harvesting, how sharp the cutting blades are, and how much the soil crumbles during lifting and transport. Turf also dries in transit, so a roll that left the farm at the thicker end of the range can arrive a touch slimmer by the time it reaches your drive.
| Type | Typical Thickness | What It Feels Like |
|---|---|---|
| Thin budget natural turf | 15–20 mm | Lightweight, easy to lift, roots dry faster |
| Standard garden natural turf | 25–35 mm | Comfortable underfoot, suits most family lawns |
| Thick natural turf | 35–45 mm | Fuller feel, heavier rolls, a bit more forgiving to lay |
| Hard-wearing sports turf | 30–45 mm | Dense grass that copes with games and training |
| Short-pile artificial turf | 10–25 mm | Neat, close-cropped look, simple to brush clean |
| Standard artificial lawn turf | 25–40 mm | Soft feel, similar to a well kept natural lawn |
| Long-pile artificial turf | 40–50 mm | Deep, shaggy look, often used in play areas |
For a typical back garden, standard lawn turf in the 25–35 mm range gives a good balance between comfort and practicality. Thicker rolls feel lush but weigh more, which can be hard work on larger projects or if you are laying turf on your own.
Garden Turf Thickness Guide For New Lawns
Garden turf thickness is not only about the slice of soil that arrives on the pallet. The total “depth” of the lawn includes the turf itself and the topsoil underneath. If the soil layer is shallow, even a heavy turf roll will struggle during hot or dry spells.
On most residential plots, aim for at least 100 mm of good topsoil beneath the turf, with 150–200 mm giving stronger root anchorage and better moisture storage. That gives the grass enough room to send roots down into cooler soil and pick up water between rain or irrigation cycles.
When you add those pieces together, a finished lawn that feels solid usually has:
- Natural turf roll thickness: around 25–35 mm
- Topsoil depth beneath the turf: 100–200 mm
- Total working depth for roots and moisture: about 125–235 mm
If your garden already has deep, friable soil, you may only need a thin layer of imported topsoil to level things out. Where the existing soil is stony, compacted or heavily clay based, adding a deeper layer of good quality topsoil gives turf roots a far better start.
Soil Depth Under Garden Turf
Soil preparation decides how the lawn behaves far more than another few millimetres on the turf roll. Good quality turf laid on poor soil will never perform as well as modest turf laid on a generous, well prepared base.
As a rule of thumb for new lawns, many contractors work to about 100 mm of topsoil for basic turfing, with many guides leaning toward 150–200 mm for stronger, deeper roots. Some UK turf suppliers recommend at least 150 mm of suitable soil so that the lawn holds water and nutrients between rain or irrigation.
Before you bring in a single roll, dig a few test holes to see how deep the existing topsoil layer runs and how easily your spade moves through it. Where you hit rubble or hard subsoil within the top 100 mm, it is worth stripping away poor material and replacing it with screened topsoil that drains well.
For more detail on soil types and preparation, the RHS turf guide gives clear, up to date steps for preparing and laying new lawns.
How Soil Type Affects Turf Thickness Choices
Soil type shapes how thick your turf can be without causing problems. On light, sandy ground, water drains away quickly, so a deeper layer of topsoil below the turf helps slow down drying. On heavy clay, drainage is slower, so piling on too much extra soil can leave turf sitting in a wet sponge during long wet spells.
In both cases, the turf roll itself still falls in the same thickness range; the real change lies in how you prepare the soil beneath.
Picking Turf Thickness For Different Uses
Every garden is different, so the right turf thickness for you depends on how the lawn will be used day to day.
Family Play Lawns
For a family lawn used for games, picnics and pets, standard natural turf in the 25–35 mm range over 150 mm of good soil works well. The turf slice is thick enough to cushion light wear, while the soil holds water between showers so the grass bounces back after heavy use.
Ornamental Show Lawns
Where the lawn is mainly for appearance and cut with a cylinder mower at a low height, a slightly thinner turf roll over a deeper, well levelled soil layer can help. Thin turf is easier to shape around curves and edges, and the deeper soil gives the roots room to feed and recover from close mowing.
Artificial Garden Turf Thickness
Artificial grass does not have living roots, so “thickness” relates to pile height rather than a slice of soil. Many garden products sit between 25 and 40 mm, which gives a springy feel underfoot without making brushing and cleaning too hard. Shorter piles suit balconies and tight spaces, while deeper piles look plush in low wear areas.
| Garden Use | Turf Or Pile Thickness | Topsoil Depth Beneath |
|---|---|---|
| Small front lawn | 25–30 mm natural turf | 100–150 mm |
| Family back lawn | 30–35 mm natural turf | 150–200 mm |
| Formal ornamental lawn | 20–30 mm natural turf | 150–200 mm |
| Shady lawn area | 25–30 mm natural turf | 100–150 mm free draining soil |
| Goal mouth or play zone | 30–40 mm hard-wearing turf | 150–200 mm firm soil |
| Balcony or roof garden | 20–30 mm artificial turf | Free draining base layers |
| Low maintenance artificial lawn | 30–40 mm artificial turf | Compacted sub-base and sand |
Checking The Thickness Of Turf Before You Buy
Most turf suppliers list the approximate thickness of their products on product pages or brochures. If you can visit a stockist or receive a small sample, even better.
Put a ruler or tape measure through the middle of the roll so you measure from the firm soil base to the top of the grass, not just the tips of longer blades. This gives a truer reading than measuring a loose edge where soil can crumble away.
When you compare prices per square metre, thin turf can look cheaper at first glance. Thin slices dry out faster, tear more easily during laying, and leave less root depth above any stones or debris in the soil. A mid-range roll often gives better value over the life of the lawn.
Online calculators that help you work out how much topsoil to bring in usually ask for lawn depth in metres, so enter the depth you want for the topsoil layer rather than the thickness of the turf roll. A topsoil depth guide from Homebuilding & Renovating gives handy worked examples.
Garden Turf Thickness Mistakes To Avoid
By now you can see that the answer to “How Thick Is Garden Turf?” depends on both the turf roll and the ground beneath it.
One mistake is skimping on soil preparation. Laying healthy, mid-range turf straight onto thin, compacted soil leads to dry, patchy lawns that never fully green up. Spending time bringing the soil depth up to at least 100 mm, and ideally closer to 150 mm, pays back in fewer bare patches later.
A second mistake is building the lawn too high. Where new turf sits above paths, patios or inspection covers, mowing turns into a headache and the edges dry out faster. Aim to finish the turf surface level with, or just below, fixed edges so the mower passes cleanly over the top.
The last common issue is relying on turf thickness alone to solve drainage problems. Thick turf on a soggy, poorly drained base still ends up waterlogged. If you know your plot holds water, sort out drains, grading or soil structure first, then bring in turf that matches the improved base.
Choose turf thickness to match how you use the space, pair it with enough good soil underneath, and the lawn stands a far better chance of staying green through dry spells.