Quarter Minus
¼-inch crushed rock with fines that locks down hard when compacted — a common, stable artificial turf base.
In this calculator
Artificial Turf
Sub-Base Calculator
Estimate base rock or crusher-fines volume for your artificial turf project. Enter your area and depth — the calculator returns cubic yards and tons for quarter-minus or crusher fines, materials only.
Artificial Turf Sub-Base Calculator
Volume estimates only. Aggregate is typically sourced from a local rock yard or supplier — ask us for a referral. For turf, infill, and nails use the artificial turf calculator.
Instructions
- Step 1.Enter project length in feet.
- Step 2.Enter project width in feet.
- Step 3.Pick material and depth — results appear instantly.
Enter your project dimensions to see how much base material you need.
What Affects Your Base Material
Six things change how much base you need — and a couple of them are easy to miss.
Area Size
Total square footage drives volume linearly. The bigger the area, the more cubic yards (and tons) you order.
Material Type
Quarter-minus packs tighter and weighs ~1.4 t/yd³; crusher fines (DG) weigh ~1.35 t/yd³. Same volume, different tons.
Base Depth
Plan ~2" for light residential lawns, ~3" for pet runs and putting greens, deeper for high-traffic or commercial.
Compaction Allowance
Compacted base shrinks roughly 15–20% from loose volume. Order a small buffer above what the calculator returns.
Drainage Plan
Sloped subgrade and high/low spots change effective depth in places. Plan drainage before turf goes down, not after.
Project Use
Pet runs and putting greens need denser, more carefully graded base than a typical lawn. Match material and depth to the use.
Recommended Base Depth By Project Type
Typical planning ranges only — final depth depends on your soil, drainage, traffic, project type, and your installer's recommendation. These are not engineering specifications.
| Project Type | Typical Base Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard residential lawn | ~2–3 in | Most common; the calculator's 2–3 in covers it. |
| Pet turf & dog runs | ~3–4 in | Free-draining, often a bit deeper with a drainage layer. |
| Putting greens | ~3–4 in (precise) | Smooth, highly compacted, finely graded for true roll. |
| Playground turf | ~3–4 in (+ pad) | Robust base; foam pad over base where fall attenuation matters. |
| Commercial turf | ~3–4 in+ | High traffic; road base may be used. |
| High-drainage areas | Deeper / extra rock | More permeable base or a drainage layer; plan slope. |
| Poor native soil (AZ caliche, UT clay) | Deeper / amended | Excavate more, add base, address drainage; consider a pro. |
Guidelines for planning, not guaranteed outcomes. For critical or high-traffic projects, confirm depth and drainage with a professional.
Base Material Quantity Reference
Pick a row close to your project size to set a planning budget, then run your exact dimensions in the calculator above. These reference quantities use the same formulas as the calculator — pure volume, no prices. Aggregate is sourced from local rock yards and quarries in both Arizona and Utah; contact us and we'll point you to a supplier we've worked with in your area.
| Project size | Quarter Minus @ 2" | Quarter Minus @ 3" | Crusher Fines @ 2" | Crusher Fines @ 3" |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 0.62 yd³ / 0.86 t | 0.93 yd³ / 1.30 t | 0.62 yd³ / 0.83 t | 0.93 yd³ / 1.25 t |
| 250 sq ft | 1.54 yd³ / 2.16 t | 2.31 yd³ / 3.24 t | 1.54 yd³ / 2.08 t | 2.31 yd³ / 3.13 t |
| 500 sq ft | 3.09 yd³ / 4.32 t | 4.63 yd³ / 6.48 t | 3.09 yd³ / 4.17 t | 4.63 yd³ / 6.25 t |
| 1,000 sq ft | 6.17 yd³ / 8.64 t | 9.26 yd³ / 12.96 t | 6.17 yd³ / 8.33 t | 9.26 yd³ / 12.50 t |
| 1,500 sq ft | 9.26 yd³ / 12.96 t | 13.89 yd³ / 19.44 t | 9.26 yd³ / 12.50 t | 13.89 yd³ / 18.75 t |
| 2,000 sq ft | 12.35 yd³ / 17.28 t | 18.52 yd³ / 25.93 t | 12.35 yd³ / 16.67 t | 18.52 yd³ / 25.00 t |
| 5,000 sq ft | 30.86 yd³ / 43.21 t | 46.30 yd³ / 64.81 t | 30.86 yd³ / 41.67 t | 46.30 yd³ / 62.50 t |
Volumes are loose-yard estimates from the same formulas as the calculator above. Once compacted, base shrinks roughly 15–20% — order a small buffer above what the table shows. Density assumptions: Quarter Minus ≈ 1.4 t/yd³, Crusher Fines ≈ 1.35 t/yd³.
What Is Turf Sub-Base — And Which Material?
Sub-base is the compacted aggregate layer under artificial turf that creates a stable, level, well-draining foundation. Without it, turf sinks, ripples, holds water, and wears unevenly. Here's how the common base materials compare.
Crusher Fines
Finer crushed rock used as a smooth, compactable top course over a base — easy to grade level.
In this calculator
Decomposed Granite (DG)
Natural, finely crushed granite that is popular in Arizona; behaves like crusher fines as a base/top course.
Similar to crusher fines
Crushed Rock / Road Base
Larger aggregate (Class II / road base) used for heavy-traffic or commercial bases beneath a finer top layer.
Heavy / commercial
Compaction & Drainage Come First
Why Compaction Matters
Compacting the base in lifts with a plate compactor (and water for fines) locks it so the turf stays flat and firm. Uncompacted base settles and ripples. Because loose material compacts about 15–20%, order a little extra than the loose estimate.
Drainage Before Turf
Slope away from structures, keep the base permeable, and add drainage rock or a drain layer for pet areas and clay soils. Plan it before the turf goes down — retrofitting drainage means pulling the turf back up.
Sub-Base Planning By Use
The base you need depends on what's going on top of it.
Pet Turf Base
Free-draining base (more crushed rock, sometimes a drainage layer) plus the right infill so urine flushes through and odor stays controlled.
Explore pet turfPutting Green Base
A very precise, well-compacted, smooth base for true, consistent ball roll — finer top course and careful grading.
Explore putting green turfPlayground & Commercial
Higher traffic and safety needs favor a robust, well-compacted base — sometimes a pad over base, or road base for commercial.
Explore commercial turfCommon Sub-Base Mistakes To Avoid
A correct base means flat, firm, fast-draining turf that lasts. A poor base means ripples, low spots, pooling, and early wear. Avoid these:
Base too shallow
A 1-inch base might look right on day one and ripple within a season. Match depth to project type and soil.
Skipping compaction
Loose aggregate settles unevenly under traffic. Compact in lifts with a plate compactor (and water for fines) so the surface locks.
No drainage plan
Slope, permeability, and drainage layer get planned BEFORE turf goes down. Retrofitting drainage means pulling the turf back up.
Wrong material
Sand alone, or road base on a small residential lawn, both fail in different ways. Match the material to the use.
No compaction buffer
Order ~15–20% more than the loose-volume estimate so you actually hit your target compacted depth.
Turf over native soil
Direct-on-soil installs settle, channel water, and lose drainage fast. The base is what makes turf last.
Ignoring AZ caliche / UT clay
Both soils need extra excavation and amended base. Plan deeper and add drainage where needed.
When To Use The Artificial Turf Calculator
This tool sizes the base. To size the turf itself — rolls, waste, seams, and infill — use the artificial turf calculator. Most projects use both.
Doing it yourself? Follow our step-by-step DIY install guide. Want us to install it? See our premium installation service.
Ready For An Exact Quote?
The calculator gives you a planning volume. Our team gives you turf, infill, and nails — plus a supplier referral for base material in your area.
- Free, no-obligation quote
- Free samples at Mesa & Provo yards
- Local aggregate supplier referrals
Sub-Base Calculator FAQs
How much base do I need for artificial turf?
Multiply your area (length × width) by the base depth, then convert to cubic yards — the calculator does this for quarter-minus or crusher fines at 2 or 3 inches. Order a little extra because base material compacts down roughly 15–20%.
What is a turf sub-base / base calculator?
It estimates the volume of base material (crushed rock) you need under artificial turf, based on your area, chosen material, and base depth. It estimates the base — not the turf rolls or infill. Use the turf calculator for those.
Calculate turf rolls & infillHow deep should the base be for artificial turf?
A common range is about 2–3 inches for standard lawns, and deeper (3–4 inches or more) for pets, putting greens, playgrounds, and commercial use. Final depth depends on soil, drainage, and traffic — these are planning ranges, not engineering specifications.
What is quarter-minus and is it good for a turf base?
Quarter-minus is ¼-inch crushed rock blended with fines. It compacts into a hard, stable, well-draining base, which makes it a common choice for artificial turf. The calculator supports it as a material option.
Can I use decomposed granite (DG) under artificial turf?
Yes. DG is a finely crushed natural granite that is popular in Arizona and behaves much like crusher fines as a compactable base or smooth top course. Estimate it with the crusher-fines option as a close equivalent.
Crushed rock vs road base — which should I use?
Crushed rock / quarter-minus suits most residential turf bases. Larger aggregate like road base (Class II) is used for heavy-traffic or commercial projects, usually beneath a finer top layer. Match the material to the use.
Why does the base need to be compacted?
Compaction locks the base together so the turf stays flat and firm and does not settle or ripple over time. Compact in lifts with a plate compactor (and water for fines). Loose material compacts about 15–20%, so order a bit extra.
How does drainage affect my base?
A permeable base and proper slope let water clear so the turf does not pool or stay soggy. Plan drainage before installing turf — pet areas and clay soils may need extra drainage rock or a drain layer. Fixing it after install means pulling the turf up.
What base is best for pet turf?
Pet areas usually use a free-draining base — often a bit deeper, sometimes with a dedicated drainage layer — combined with the right infill so urine flushes through and odor is managed.
Pet turfWhat base do putting greens need?
Putting greens need a precise, smooth, highly compacted base with careful grading for a true, consistent ball roll, typically with a finer top course over the base.
Putting green turfShould I use sand under artificial turf?
Sand alone is generally a poor structural base — it shifts and drains unpredictably. A compacted crushed-rock base is the standard. Sand more often appears as part of infill on top of the turf, not as the base.
About turf infillDo I also need the artificial turf calculator?
Yes — this tool sizes the base material, while the artificial turf calculator sizes turf rolls, waste, seams, and infill. Most projects use both: plan the base here, then size the turf next.
Artificial turf calculator
Got Your Base Estimate? Get An Exact Quote
Send us your project for current pricing on turf and base, free samples, and contractor pricing across Arizona and Utah.