To calculate HydroChill infill, multiply your finished turf area (in square feet) by your turf’s recommended infill rate (pounds per square foot), then divide by 50 to get the number of 50-pound bags. Round up to the next full bag. For example, 500 square feet of turf at 2 pounds per square foot needs 1,000 pounds, or 20 bags of HydroChill.
Artificial Turf Express carries HydroChill at our San Jose yard for homeowners, DIY installers, and contractors. This guide walks through the formula step by step, shows worked examples for two of our turfs, and includes a bag chart you can use for any yard.
The HydroChill Infill Formula
The calculation takes three numbers: your finished turf area, your turf’s infill rate, and the bag size.
\text{Bags of HydroChill} = \frac{\text{Finished area (sq ft)} \times \text{Infill rate (lb per sq ft)}}{50}
Always round up to a full bag, since partial bags are not sold and a slightly heavier infill layer is better than a thin one.
Step 1: Measure your finished turf area
Use the area of turf that will actually be infilled, not the amount of turf you ordered. Measure each section’s length and width, multiply, and add the sections together. Then subtract anything inside the area that will not get turf, such as planters, stepping stones, or a patio.
For curved or round areas, measure the widest points and treat them as rectangles for a slightly generous estimate. For a round planter, subtract about 3.14 x the radius x the radius.
Step 2: Find your turf’s infill rate
Your turf’s infill rate is listed on its spec sheet in pounds per square foot. Taller, denser turf needs more infill to hold its blades upright; shorter turf needs less. Most residential turf falls between about 1 and 3 pounds per square foot.
| Turf | Pile height | Recommended infill |
| Coronado Platinum | 2 inches | 2 to 3 lb per sq ft |
| Express PET | 1 inch | 1 to 2 lb per sq ft |
If the spec sheet gives a range, start in the middle. Use the higher end for high-traffic areas, play spaces, and lawns where you want blades to stand up as fully as possible.
Step 3: Divide by 50 and round up
HydroChill comes in 50-pound bags. Divide your total infill requirement by 50 and round up to determine how many bags you’ll need. Visit our HydroChill product page for product details and bag specifications.
Worked Example: HydroChill for a Coronado Platinum Backyard
Consider a 20-by-30-foot backyard with a 40-square-foot planter in the middle, covered with Coronado Platinum.
- Finished area: 20 x 30 = 600 sq ft, minus 40 sq ft for the planter = 560 sq ft.
- Infill rate: Coronado Platinum calls for 2 to 3 lb per sq ft. Use 2.5 lb as a middle estimate.
- Total pounds: 560 x 2.5 = 1,400 lb.
- Bags needed: 1,400 ÷ 50 = 28 bags.
- Material estimate: 28 bags of HydroChill, based on the recommended infill coverage.
| Rate | Pounds | Bags | Rate |
| 2 lb per sq ft | 1,120 lb | 23 bags | 2 lb per sq ft |
| 2.5 lb per sq ft | 1,400 lb | 28 bags | 2.5 lb per sq ft |
| 3 lb per sq ft | 1,680 lb | 34 bags | 3 lb per sq ft |
Worked Example: HydroChill for an Express PET Dog Run
Consider a 10-by-25-foot side-yard dog run covered in Express PET with a 1-inch pile height.
- Finished area: 10 x 25 = 250 sq ft.
- Infill rate: Express PET calls for 1 to 2 lb per sq ft. Use 1.5 lb as a middle estimate.
- Total pounds: 250 x 1.5 = 375 lb.
- Bags needed: 375 ÷ 50 = 7.5, rounded up to 8 bags.
- Material estimate: 8 bags of HydroChill based on the recommended infill coverage.
| Rate | Pounds | Bags | Rate |
| 1 lb per sq ft | 250 lb | 5 bags | 1 lb per sq ft |
| 1.5 lb per sq ft | 375 lb | 8 bags | 1.5 lb per sq ft |
| 2 lb per sq ft | 500 lb | 10 bags | 2 lb per sq ft |
HydroChill Bag Chart
Find your finished area in the left column and your turf’s infill rate across the top. Each cell shows the number of 50-pound bags, rounded up.
| Finished area | 1 lb/sq ft | 1.5 lb/sq ft | 2 lb/sq ft | 2.5 lb/sq ft | 3 lb/sq ft |
| 100 sq ft | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 200 sq ft | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 |
| 300 sq ft | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
| 400 sq ft | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
| 500 sq ft | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 |
| 750 sq ft | 15 | 23 | 30 | 38 | 45 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 |
To estimate the materials needed, calculate the number of 50-pound bags based on your project’s infill requirements. For the rest of your installation, our guide to calculating artificial turf, infill, nails, and seam tape covers turf, nails, and seam tape quantities.
How to Calculate HydroChill for a Top-Up
To top up an existing HydroChill lawn, estimate the share of infill lost and apply that share of the full rate. If your turf calls for 2 pounds per square foot and roughly a quarter of the infill looks gone in a 200-square-foot high-traffic strip, plan on about 0.5 pounds per square foot: 200 x 0.5 = 100 pounds, or 2 bags.
Signs you need a top-up include blades leaning over or matting, backing showing between fibers, and turf that feels harder or looks flatter than the rest of the lawn. Check walkways, gates, and pet paths first, since they lose infill fastest.
If your lawn currently has a different infill, such as silica sand, talk with our team before adding HydroChill. It is designed to be used on its own rather than mixed with other infill.
Tips for Spreading HydroChill Evenly
An even layer matters as much as the right total. Too little in one spot leaves blades flat; too much in another can bury the pile.
- Use a drop spreader and set it low, then make several light passes rather than one heavy pass.
- Brush between passes with a stiff broom or power broom so the infill settles down to the backing.
- Work in sections and track how many bags go into each one so you stay on target.
- Keep a bag or two for top-ups in high-traffic areas over the first season.
- Wet the turf after the final pass to activate HydroChill’s cooling coating.
Infill also needs checking over time. The Synthetic Turf Council, an industry non-profit, publishes maintenance guidelines that stress routine upkeep. For a home lawn, a quick infill check every few months is an easy part of that routine.
FAQ
How many bags of HydroChill do I need for 500 square feet?
It depends on your turf’s infill rate. At 1 pound per square foot, you need 10 bags; at 2 pounds, 20 bags; at 3 pounds, 30 bags.
How many square feet does a 50-pound bag of HydroChill cover?
A 50-pound bag covers about 50 square feet at 1 pound per square foot, 25 square feet at 2 pounds, or about 17 square feet at 3 pounds.
Should I calculate HydroChill based on my ordered turf or the finished area?
Use the finished area, the turf that will actually be infilled after trimming. Ordered turf includes waste that gets cut away.
Should I buy extra HydroChill?
Rounding up to the next full bag usually covers small variations. Keeping one or two extra bags on hand helps with top-ups in high-traffic areas.
How much HydroChill does Coronado Platinum need?
Coronado Platinum calls for 2 to 3 pounds of infill per square foot. A 560-square-foot lawn at 2.5 pounds needs 28 bags.
How much HydroChill does Express PET need?
Express PET calls for 1 to 2 pounds of infill per square foot. A 250-square-foot dog run at 1.5 pounds needs 8 bags.
Can I mix HydroChill with sand to save money?
HydroChill is designed to be used on its own, not mixed with other infills, so the cooling coating covers the whole layer. Ask our team about options for your project.
Order HydroChill in San Jose
The HydroChill formula is simple: finished area x infill rate ÷ 50, rounded up. Bring your measurements and your turf’s spec sheet, and our team can double-check the math before you buy. Artificial Turf Express keeps HydroChill, turf, and installation supplies in stock and ready for pickup in San Jose. Contact Artificial Turf Express by calling (408) 413-3179 or visiting us at 370 Umbarger Rd, San Jose, CA 95111.
