Sod Calculator
Add one row per lawn section, pick a shape, and enter its dimensions. Square feet, rolls, pallets, and square yards update as you type.
| Shape | Dim 1 (ft) | Dim 2 (ft) | Sq ft |
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Rectangle: Dim 1 and Dim 2 are the two sides. Circle: Dim 1 is the diameter, Dim 2 is ignored. Triangle: Dim 1 is the base, Dim 2 is the height. Rolls are 10 sq ft (2×5 ft) each; pallets run 400–500 sq ft depending on the farm, so confirm with your supplier before ordering.
How to calculate how much sod you need
Measure each section of lawn you're sodding, find its area, add them together, then add extra for waste at the seams and edges.
Add your section areas for a raw total, then multiply by a waste factor to cover cuts, curves, seams, and mistakes:
From there, divide the total by 10 for rolls or by 450 for pallets. Divide by 9 instead if your supplier sells by the square yard.
Pallets by lawn size
At 450 sq ft per pallet, here's how many pallets common lawn sizes need, rounded up to the next whole pallet:
| Lawn size | Pallets needed | Sq ft covered |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 | 1,350 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 5 | 2,250 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 12 | 5,400 |
Roll and slab sizes
| Cut | Size | Coverage | Typical weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | 2 × 5 ft | 10 sq ft | ~30 lb |
| Slab | 16 × 24 in | 2.67 sq ft | ~8 lb |
Preparing the ground before sod arrives
Sod only roots well on prepared soil. Kill or strip the old grass first, then grade the area so water drains away from the house. Till in 1 inch of compost or topsoil to give the new roots something loose to grow into. Order your sod so it arrives the day you plan to lay it: install it within 24 hours of delivery, and water the new lawn daily for the first 2 weeks while the roots knit into the soil beneath.
Frequently asked questions
How much sod does one pallet cover?
Most pallets cover 450 square feet, which is what this calculator uses. Coverage varies by farm, from about 400 to 500 square feet per pallet, so confirm the exact figure with your supplier before ordering.
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
A wet pallet of sod weighs 1,500 to 3,000 pounds, depending on the grass species and how recently it was cut and watered. Check that your delivery vehicle and the drop spot on your property can handle that weight.
Can I lay sod over existing grass?
No. Existing grass and thatch keep new sod roots from reaching bare soil, so the roots can't anchor and the sod often rots instead of establishing. Kill or remove the old lawn and expose bare soil first.
What's the best time of year to lay sod?
For cool-season grasses like fescue and bluegrass, lay sod in early fall or spring. For warm-season grasses like bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, and centipede, lay sod from late spring through summer, while the grass is actively growing.
How many square feet are in a roll of sod?
A standard roll is 2 feet by 5 feet, or 10 square feet. Some farms cut slabs instead, commonly 16 by 24 inches, which is 2.67 square feet.
How soon do I need to install sod after delivery?
Within 24 hours. Sod is a living, cut product that starts to heat and yellow on the pallet, so install it the day it arrives and water it immediately.
Ordering topsoil or compost for the bed prep above? Try the topsoil calculator. Need to convert irregular measurements to square feet first? Try the square footage calculator.