Sod Calculator
Estimate rolls and pallets of sod needed for a lawn.
Results update as you type.
How it works
A sod calculator tells you how much sod, or turf, you need to lay a new lawn, giving the answer in both the individual rolls sold for small jobs and the pallets used for larger areas. You enter the length and width of the space, and the tool multiplies them for the area in square feet, then divides by the coverage of a roll and of a pallet, rounding each up to whole units. Sod is sold by area because it is laid like a green carpet, and buying enough in one delivery matters more than with many materials: sod is a living product that must be laid within a day or so of being cut and delivered, before the roots dry out, so running short mid-job risks leaving bare strips while a second batch is ordered and the first begins to yellow. Because lawns are rarely perfect rectangles and every piece is trimmed to fit around beds, paths and curves, it is wise to add a waste margin of around five to ten percent on top of this estimate, and to measure irregular areas by splitting them into rectangles. Coverage figures vary by supplier — rolls and slabs come in different sizes and pallets hold different totals — so confirm the exact coverage with your grower and adjust if it differs from the common values used here. Landscapers, turf installers and homeowners use it to price a lawn and schedule a delivery so the sod arrives fresh and is laid the same day.
Area = length × width; rolls = ⌈area ÷ 10⌉; pallets = ⌈area ÷ 450⌉
Length times width gives the lawn area in square feet, the figure sod is sold by. Dividing that area by 10 gives the number of rolls, since a standard sod roll covers about 10 square feet, and rounding up buys whole rolls because a partial roll cannot be ordered. Dividing the area by 450 gives the number of pallets, since a typical pallet holds roughly 450 square feet of sod, and again rounding up ensures whole pallets. Both counts come from the same area, letting you choose rolls for a small patch or pallets for a larger lawn.
Source:Standard construction estimation
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter lawn length and lawn width.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Sod rolls needed updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How much area does a roll or pallet of sod cover?
This calculator assumes about 10 square feet per roll and 450 square feet per pallet, which are common figures, but coverage varies by supplier and region. Sod comes as rolls, slabs or big rolls of different sizes, and a pallet may hold anywhere from around 400 to 700 square feet. Always confirm the exact coverage with your grower before ordering, and adjust your expectations if their product differs from these defaults.
Should I order extra sod for waste?
Yes. Every piece of sod is trimmed to fit against beds, paths, trees and curves, and those offcuts are rarely reusable, while a few pieces may be damaged or dry out. Adding roughly five to ten percent on top of this estimate covers the trimming and losses so you are not left with bare strips. Because sod is perishable and must be laid quickly, a small surplus is far better than pausing to reorder.
How do I measure an irregular lawn for sod?
Divide the area into simple rectangles, and where needed triangles, calculate each piece separately, and add them together before entering the total. For a curved border, approximate it with the rectangle that best contains the curve and let a waste margin absorb the overage. Measuring generously and rounding the area up is safer than rounding down, since sod is cut to order and a shortfall means a fresh delivery and possible delay.
How soon must sod be laid after delivery?
As soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours of it being harvested and delivered, and sooner in hot weather. Sod is a living product with cut roots, and stacked on a pallet it heats up and dries out quickly, yellowing within a day or two. Prepare and level the soil before the sod arrives so you can lay it immediately, water it thoroughly right after laying, and keep it moist while the roots establish.
Do I need to prepare the soil before laying sod?
Yes, good preparation is essential for the sod to root and thrive. Remove old grass and weeds, loosen and grade the soil so it drains and sits slightly below paths, and add topsoil or compost if the ground is poor. A firm, level, moist seedbed lets the sod make close contact and knit in quickly. Skipping this step is the most common reason a new sod lawn fails to establish and develops dry, patchy areas.