Artificial Turf Pile Height Guide: 20mm vs 30mm vs 40mm

What pile height actually changes

Pile height is the length of the grass blades, measured in millimetres from the backing up to the tip. It's the biggest single factor in how artificial turf looks, feels and behaves, and it's the main thing separating a $20-a-metre product from a $55 one.

Here's what shifts as the pile gets taller:

• Look. Short pile reads as freshly mown. Tall pile reads as lush and established. Around 30-35mm is where most people stop noticing it's synthetic.
• Feel. More blade length means more cushioning. A 40mm pile is noticeably softer underfoot than a 20mm one, especially barefoot in summer.
• Resilience. Shorter pile bounces back better. Long blades fold over under furniture and repeated foot traffic, and once a sparse tall pile flattens, it tends to stay flat without regular brushing.
• Heat. All synthetic turf gets hot in direct summer sun. Pile height changes this less than people expect; colour, infill and shade matter far more.
• Price. More yarn per square metre costs more. Across the Australian market, budget 15-25mm turf typically sells for $15-30/m², mid-range 25-35mm for $30-45/m², and premium 35-45mm for $40-60/m² (supply only, inc. GST). Our cost guide breaks down the full installed numbers.

Worth knowing before you compare tiers: professional installation adds roughly $30-70/m² on top regardless of pile height. The labour costs the same for cheap turf as it does for premium, which changes the maths on upgrading.

20mm: short, tidy and tough

A 20mm pile looks like a lawn mown that morning. It won't convince anyone it grew there naturally, but it always looks neat, and for plenty of spaces that's the whole job.

Short pile has two genuine advantages. It's the cheapest tier, usually $15-30/m² supply-only in Australia. And it barely flattens: with so little blade to fold over, it handles pot plants, outdoor furniture and constant footsteps better than taller turf of similar density.

Where 20mm makes sense:

• Balconies and rooftops, where furniture sits on it and weight matters. More on that in our turf for balconies page, or the deeper balconies and rooftops installation guide if you're ready to lay it.
• Display areas like front strips and garden borders that get looked at more than walked on.
• Big areas on tight budgets, where the per-metre saving multiplies fast.

The trade-off is realism up close, plus less cushioning for bare feet. If the area is decorative or hard-worked rather than a lounging lawn, neither matters much. Our short option is Turf Starter 20mm; see current pricing on the product page, where the calculator prices your exact area in seconds.

30mm: the all-rounder most people end up choosing

If you asked us to pick one height blind, it'd be 30mm. Mid pile is the compromise that doesn't feel like one: realistic enough that visitors do a double take, soft enough for kids to play on, and short enough to recover from traffic with an occasional brush.

That's why it's the standard choice for family backyards. It suits lawns that actually get used: kids, dogs, the barbecue crowd, washing baskets carried across it every second day. Dogs in particular do well on mid pile, since it's easier to clean than tall pile and softer than short.

Market pricing for 25-35mm turf generally sits at $30-45/m² supply-only. Our mid option, Turf Classic 30mm, is the most popular of our three; open the product page for current pricing and to price your exact size with the calculator.

40mm: the premium look and feel

40mm is the height you choose with your eyes. It has the deep, established look of a well-kept couch lawn and the most give underfoot, which is why it ends up in front yards, around pool surrounds, and other entertaining areas where appearance leads the decision.

Two honest caveats. First, tall pile needs density behind it. Long blades act like levers: without enough stitches packed in to hold each other up, they flop, and a flopped 40mm looks worse than a tidy 20mm. Second, it asks for more upkeep. Expect to brush it every few weeks in trafficked spots to keep the blades standing.

Premium 35-45mm turf typically runs $40-60/m² supply-only across the Australian market. Ours is Turf Pro 40mm; current pricing is on the product page along with the sqm calculator.

Density matters as much as height

Here's the bit that catches people out: pile height is the headline spec, but density decides whether the turf lives up to it.

Density shows up as two numbers on a spec sheet. Stitch rate is how many tufts are sewn into each square metre of backing. Dtex is the weight of the yarn itself. Together they tell you how much material is actually holding the pile upright.

A dense 30mm regularly outperforms a sparse 40mm. It looks fuller, feels more solid, recovers faster and often costs about the same, because the sparse product spent its budget on length instead of substance. When you compare samples, part the pile with your fingers and check how much backing shows through. Less visible backing means more yarn doing the work.

And if two products are the same height but one is much cheaper, density or yarn quality is almost always the difference.

Maintenance: taller pile asks more of you

No artificial turf is zero-maintenance, though it's a lighter kind of upkeep than a real lawn needs, and pile height sets how much brushing you're signing up for.

• 20mm mostly needs debris cleared and the odd rinse. There isn't much pile to flatten.
• 30mm wants a going-over with a stiff broom every month or so in used areas, more where furniture sits.
• 40mm needs the most regular attention. Brush against the grain every few weeks in trafficked spots, and shift furniture positions when you can, or the pile develops permanent flat patches.

None of it is hard work; ten minutes with a broom covers most yards. The full routine, including cleaning up after pets and dealing with leaf drop, is in our maintenance guide.

Side-by-side comparison

	20mm	30mm	40mm
Look	Neat, freshly mown	Natural lawn	Lush, established
Feel underfoot	Firm	Soft	Softest
Flattening resistance	Excellent	Good with light brushing	Needs regular brushing
Typical supply price (AU market)	$15-30/m²	$30-45/m²	$40-60/m²
Best for	Balconies, display areas, low traffic, tight budgets	Family lawns, kids, pets	Front yards, comfort, premium look
Upkeep	Minimal	Monthly brush	Brush every 2-3 weeks in traffic areas

One last practical note: most turf comes on 3.71m-wide rolls, so the shape of your area affects wastage and joins as much as the price per metre does. A slightly dearer turf that fits your dimensions with fewer offcuts can end up costing less than the cheap one.

Frequently asked questions

Which pile height looks the most realistic?

Most people find 30-35mm the most convincing, because it matches the height of a healthy, regularly mown natural lawn. Shorter pile looks deliberately clipped, and very tall pile can look almost too lush. Realism also depends heavily on the colour blend and a brown thatch layer in the yarn, so judge a physical sample in daylight rather than a photo.

Does a taller pile mean better turf?

No. Height is a style choice, while quality comes from density, yarn shape and backing strength. A dense 30mm product will look and perform better than a sparse 40mm one, which is why comparing stitch rate and pile weight tells you more than comparing height alone.

What pile height do landscapers usually recommend?

For a general-purpose family lawn, most landscapers steer clients to around 30mm, since it balances looks, comfort and recovery from foot traffic. They typically suggest 20-25mm for balconies, high-traffic strips and areas with furniture, and reserve 35-40mm for display lawns where appearance is the priority.

Does pile height affect how hot the turf gets?

Only slightly. All synthetic turf gets hot in direct summer sun, considerably hotter than natural grass, whatever the pile height. Colour, infill type and shade have a much bigger influence than height, and a quick hose-down cools any turf within minutes.