About the Sod Calculator
This sod calculator estimates how much sod you need for a new lawn and what it will cost. Enter the length and width of the area, a waste allowance for cutting around beds and curves, the coverage of a pallet from your supplier and the size of each roll or slab, and it returns the square footage to order, the number of pallets and pieces, and the total price.
It is designed for homeowners pricing a DIY lawn installation and landscapers preparing a quote. Sod is typically sold by the pallet — most pallets cover roughly 400–500 sq ft, depending on the farm and grass type — or by the square foot for small jobs. Pieces are usually 2 × 5 ft rolls (10 sq ft) or 16 × 24 inch slabs (about 2.67 sq ft).
A 5% waste allowance suits simple rectangles; allow 10–15% for curved beds, trees and irregular edges. Sod is perishable, so order for delivery on the day you plan to lay it and prepare the soil first.
With the default inputs, the pallets to order is 3 pallets. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the sod calculator
- 1Measure the lawn length and width in feet (split odd shapes into rectangles).
- 2Add 5% waste for simple shapes or 10–15% for curves and obstacles.
- 3Enter the pallet coverage and piece size from your sod farm.
- 4Enter the price per pallet to see the total cost.
- 5Order for delivery on the day you will install.
Formula and method
The lawn area is length × width. A waste allowance is added because edges, curves and staggered seams mean some sod is trimmed and discarded. Dividing the adjusted area by the coverage of one pallet and rounding up gives the pallets to order; dividing by the area of each roll or slab gives the number of pieces you will lay.
Cost assumes you buy whole pallets. Cost per square foot divides that total by the actual lawn area, which is useful for comparing sod with seeding.
- Waste %
- Extra sod for cuts and irregular edges
- Pallet coverage
- Square feet of sod on one pallet
- Piece size
- Area of one roll or slab in square feet
Worked examples
50 × 20 ft lawn, 5% waste
The lawn is 1,000 sq ft; adding 5% gives 1,050 sq ft. At 450 sq ft per pallet that is 2.33 pallets, rounded up to 3 ($825 at $275 each), laid as 105 rolls of 10 sq ft.
30 × 40 ft yard with curves, slabs
A 1,200 sq ft yard with 10% waste needs 1,320 sq ft of sod — 3 pallets of 450 sq ft, or about 495 slabs of 16 × 24 inches.
2,000 sq ft lawn with 500 sq ft pallets
With 5% waste the 2,000 sq ft lawn needs 2,100 sq ft. At 500 sq ft per pallet that is 4.2 pallets, rounded up to 5 costing $1,500, or 210 rolls.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?+
Most pallets cover about 400–500 sq ft, though some farms load 450 or 504 sq ft depending on roll size and grass type. Always confirm with your supplier before ordering.
How much does sod cost?+
Sod itself commonly costs somewhere around $0.35–$0.85 per sq ft depending on grass type and region, and professional installation roughly doubles the total. Enter your local pallet price for an accurate estimate.
How much extra sod should I order?+
Add about 5% for rectangular lawns and 10–15% for curved beds, trees, slopes and irregular edges. Leftover pieces can patch bare spots later.
How long can sod sit on the pallet?+
Sod should be laid within 24 hours of harvest, and sooner in hot weather, because rolls heat up and yellow on the pallet. Keep it shaded and slightly moist until installed.