What drives infill pounds per square foot

Infill amount is not guesswork. The right target depends on how the surface will be used and on the turf model. Get these right and the field stays cooler, cleaner, and upright.

  • Use case: Landscape, pets, play, and sports each need different stabilization and performance.
  • Pile height and face weight: Taller, heavier turf generally needs more mass to hold fibers up.
  • Infill type and density: Sand, coated sand, zeolite, and elastomers pack differently, so coverage per bag varies.
  • Traffic level: More foot traffic needs more support to prevent matting.
  • Climate and heat: Hot, sunny sites often benefit from coated or cooling infills at the higher end of the range.
  • Grade and drainage: Slopes and high-flow drainage zones may need slightly more to resist migration.

Recommended infill ranges by use

Landscape lawns

Target 1.0 to 2.0 lbs per square foot. Common choices include kiln-dried silica sand or antimicrobial coated sand. Keep 0.25 to 0.5 inch of fiber showing above the infill for a natural look and feel.

  • Typical turf: 1.5 to 2.0 inch pile height landscape turf.
  • Material: 16/30 or 20/40 silica or coated sand.
  • Go higher if traffic is heavy or the site is very sunny and hot.

Pets and kennels

Target 2.0 to 3.0 lbs per square foot. Odor-control infills like zeolite or antimicrobial coated sands are common. The extra mass improves stability and keeps fibers upright under active paws.

  • Blend approach: Use a base layer of coated sand plus a top layer of zeolite where odor is a priority.
  • Ensure strong sub-base drainage to move liquids through.

Play areas and playgrounds

Target 2.5 to 3.5 lbs per square foot, often over a shock pad. Choose resilient or coated infills designed for play to help fiber support and surface consistency. Always follow the turf and system specification.

  • System-first: Match infill weight to the tested surfacing system and local requirements.
  • Top off as needed to maintain fiber support.

Sports and activity zones

Target 2.0 to 4.0 lbs per square foot depending on turf spec and performance needs. Use the infill specified by the manufacturer for that system.

  • Balance grip and ball roll with the correct infill profile.
  • Confirm compatibility with any shock pad or e-layer.

Quick math to convert turf infill pounds per square foot to bags

  1. Choose your target lbs per square foot from the ranges above.
  2. Measure total area in square feet.
  3. Multiply: area x lbs per square foot = total pounds of infill.
  4. Convert to bags: total pounds divided by bag weight on the label.

Examples

  • Landscape lawn: 600 sq ft at 1.5 lbs per sq ft = 900 lbs total. With 50 lb bags, buy 18 bags.
  • Pet run: 300 sq ft at 3.0 lbs per sq ft = 900 lbs total. With 50 lb bags, buy 18 bags.

Fast coverage estimates per 50 lb bag

  • 1.0 lb per sq ft target: about 50 sq ft per bag
  • 1.5 lbs per sq ft target: about 33 sq ft per bag
  • 2.0 lbs per sq ft target: about 25 sq ft per bag
  • 3.0 lbs per sq ft target: about 16 to 17 sq ft per bag
  • 3.5 lbs per sq ft target: about 14 sq ft per bag

Bag weights and bulk density vary by brand and infill type. Always check the bag label.

Install method for even coverage

Tools

  • Drop spreader or broadcast spreader
  • Stiff push broom and a power broom if available
  • Leaf blower and garden hose with mist setting

Steps

  1. Dry turf and dry infill. Moisture clumps material.
  2. Spread infill in two or three light passes instead of one heavy pass.
  3. Broom aggressively between passes to settle infill to the backing and stand fibers up.
  4. Feather edges and seams so distribution is uniform.
  5. Lightly mist at the end to lock in. Do not flood.

Quality check

  • Fiber reveal: keep 0.25 to 0.5 inch of blade showing above infill.
  • Uniformity: no visible ridges, seams, or soft pockets.
  • Traction: feel should be stable with no rolling underfoot.

Troubleshooting and tune-ups

  • Matting or shiny lanes: add 0.25 to 0.5 lb per sq ft and power broom.
  • Fiber buried or crunchy feel: remove a small amount with a shop vac and rebroom.
  • Odors in pet zones: top dress with zeolite and improve rinse-through.
  • Heat: choose coated or cooling infills and stay at the higher end of the range.
  • Migration on slopes: add perimeter edging, brush uphill, and keep infill slightly higher at the top of slope.

Special cases and specs

Putting greens and specialty systems follow their own infill plans to achieve speed, firmness, and consistency. Use the manufacturer specification for that exact turf model and system.

When to aim higher or lower

  • Aim higher: heavy traffic, active pets, taller pile, hot climate, slopes.
  • Aim lower: light-use decorative areas, short pile, shaded locations.

Pro tips from FusionTurf

  • Calibrate your spreader with a small test area to confirm coverage before committing to the whole site.
  • Record how many bags each zone takes for future maintenance top-offs.
  • Plan for a small top-off after the first few weeks of use as fibers relax and infill settles.