Installed artificial turf costs $10-$25 per square foot for most US projects in 2026, with the typical residential band at $12-$22/sqft per Angi’s national dataset and Homewyse’s January 2026 index. Most homeowners spend $7,400-$18,000 on a 500-1,500 sqft front or back yard install; smaller projects under 400 sqft pay a 15-25% per-sqft premium because crew mobilization and base prep don’t scale down, while large jobs over 2,000 sqft drop to roughly $9-$14/sqft. Labor is $4-$12/sqft, base gravel is $2-$4/sqft, and the turf roll itself is $2-$15/sqft depending on grade — so on a $14,000 install for 1,000 sqft, expect roughly $4,000-$6,000 in turf, $2,500-$3,500 in labor, $2,500-$3,500 in sub-base and infill, and $2,000-$4,000 in removal of existing sod and overhead.
Three grades define the market. Landscape-grade ($8-$14/sqft installed) covers the 70%+ of residential front and back lawns that need visual-only turf without heavy traffic. Pet-grade ($12-$18/sqft) adds antimicrobial infill, a flow-through drainage backing, and odor-resistant fibers — required for any dog run or high-traffic pet area. Athletic-grade ($18-$30/sqft) uses monofilament high-pile fibers, a shock-pad sub-layer, and reinforced seams for real sports and play surfaces. Prices rose 4-7% from 2025 to 2026 on material inflation and tighter labor pools, per LawnStarter and AGL Grass 2026 market reports.
Use the calculator above to scope area, grade, application, and prep type. Then read on for the grade-selection framework, the sub-base quality factor that separates a 20-year install from one that settles in year 3, the infill decision (silica vs rubber vs organic), and the DIY-vs-pro break-even analysis. For hardscape that commonly pairs with turf, compare the paver patio cost calculator and the landscape design service cost calculator for full-backyard pricing.