Sod Calculator

How much sod do I need?

Start with length × width = square feet, then add a waste allowance for the cuts around curves, beds and trees. A 40 × 25 ft lawn with 10% waste means ordering for 1,100 sq ft, just under 3 pallets.

The total sod needed is the lawn area plus the waste. Sod comes by the pallet, usually 450 to 500 sq ft, and growers don't sell partial pallets, so the sod calculator rounds up.

The same lawn is 1,000 sq ft, so 10% waste makes 1,100 sq ft. Divided by a 450 sq ft pallet that is 2.4, which rounds up to 3 pallets.

How to use the sod calculator

The sod calculator turns your lawn size into pallets, rolls and slabs of sod. The "How we calculated this" panel shows each step, and the PDF report keeps them for your sod supplier.

Step 1: Measure the lawn

Type the length and width of the area in feet, or the square feet if you know them. For an irregular lawn, split it into rectangles and add them up in the square footage calculator.

Step 2: Choose a waste allowance

Pick 5 to 10% for a simple rectangle and 15 to 20% when the lawn has curves, beds or trees.

Step 3: Enter the pallet size and price

Use the square feet per pallet and the price from your grower. The calculator shows the total number of pallets, the equivalent rolls and slabs, and the cost.

Sod roll, slab and pallet sizes

Sod comes in pre-cut pieces that are rolled or stacked. The size depends on the machine the grower used to harvest it, so ask for the exact coverage.

Inch Calculator gives these sizes: rolls and slabs from 16 to 24 inches wide, up to 4 feet for large slabs, and 3½ to 6 feet long. If your piece is a different size, multiply length by width in inches and divide by 144 to get square feet, then type that coverage into the sod calculator.

Sod pallets needed by lawn size

Based on a 450 sq ft pallet.

How to measure an irregular lawn

Split the yard into rectangles, find the area of each and add them. Riverview Turfworks gives an example: a 30 × 15 ft front yard (450 sq ft), a 3 × 10 ft side yard (30 sq ft) and a 30 × 30 ft backyard (900 sq ft) make 1,380 sq ft. At 2.67 sq ft per piece that is 517 pieces.

For a triangle, multiply base by height and divide by 2. For a circle, multiply π by the radius squared. Then add 15 to 20% for the cuts, or pick the waste in the sod calculator and let it do the rounding.

How much extra sod to order

Extra sod covers measuring errors, cuts at the edges and a few bad pieces on the pallet. Riverview Turfworks says 5% more is usually plenty. A lawn with curves, beds and trees to cut around needs more, so our default is 15 to 20% for those. You can set any percentage in the sod calculator.

How much does sod cost?

Enter the price per pallet in the sod calculator. Cost is the number of pallets times the price, plus delivery. At a price of $150 per pallet, our default, 3 pallets for a 1,000 sq ft lawn cost $450, or $0.45 per square foot of lawn.

Inch Calculator says very small areas can be bought by the roll, but above 400 sq ft consider buying by the pallet. The supplier usually delivers for a small fee.

How heavy is a pallet of sod?

One pallet weighs 1,500 to 3,000 lb depending on moisture, according to Inch Calculator. That is more than many pickups can safely carry, so plan delivery or a trailer rated for the load.

Grass types sold as sod

Cool-season sod such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and tall fescue suits northern lawns. Warm-season sod such as bermudagrass, zoysia and St. Augustine grass suits the South. The University of Maryland Extension says sod can be laid any time the ground is above freezing and daytime temperatures are below 90°F.

Prepare the soil before the sod arrives

Remove old grass and weeds, grade the soil away from the house and rake it smooth. Get a soil test to see whether the soil needs lime or nutrients. The University of Maryland Extension suggests spreading 1 to 2 inches of compost on the soil surface when you amend it.

How to lay sod

Lay each strip up against its neighbor without overlapping, and tamp the edges down for good soil contact. Stagger the pieces from one row to the next like brickwork to hide the seams. Then use a lawn roller to push the pieces lightly onto the soil.

The University of Maryland Extension says to water sod regularly for the first 2 to 3 weeks after laying, and that roots are typically established in 2 to 3 weeks. Check by gently lifting a corner and looking for white young roots.

Common sod mistakes

• Ordering exactly the lawn area. Add 5 to 20% for waste and cuts.
• Letting sod sit on the pallet. It is perishable. Lay it the day it arrives, or store it flat in shade.
• Skipping soil preparation. Sod needs smooth, loosened soil to root.
• Underwatering. The first 2 to 3 weeks decide whether it roots.

Before you order sod

Measure the lawn, choose a waste allowance, and let the sod calculator turn it into pallets, rolls and slabs. Confirm the coverage per pallet with your grower, plan delivery and a laying day, and download the PDF report for your sod supplier.

Frequently asked questions