Landscaping
Sod Calculator
Work out how much sod you need for a new lawn. Measure one or more lawn areas, subtract beds or a patio, and this sod calculator gives the square footage to order with a cutting allowance, the number of slabs or rolls, pallets, and an optional cost.
Result
Enter your measurements and press Calculate. What to buy, the working and the cost will appear here.
How to use the sod calculator
- Measure each lawn area as a rectangle, circle or triangle, or enter a known area.
- Subtract beds, patios and paths by setting those areas to Subtract.
- Pick the sod size your farm sells, and enter the coverage per pallet if you know it.
- Choose the allowance: 5% for simple shapes, 10% for curved beds and edges.
- Add a price per square foot, piece or pallet and press Calculate.
How much sod do I need?
sod to order = lawn area × (1 + allowance)
pieces = sod to order ÷ area of one piece
A 40 ft × 25 ft lawn is 1,000 ft². With 5% extra, order 1,050 ft²: 394 slabs of 16 × 24 in (2.67 ft² each), or about 2.3 pallets of 450 ft².
Worked example: a back yard with a patio
A 50 ft × 30 ft back yard has a 12 ft × 10 ft patio that will not be sodded. Sod comes in 16 × 24 in slabs, 450 ft² to a pallet, at $250 per pallet:
- Area 1: 50 ft × 30 ft = 1,500 ft²
- Area 2 (subtracted): 12 ft × 10 ft = 120 ft²
- With allowance: 1,380 ft² × 1.05 = 1,449 ft²
- Pieces: 1,449 ft² ÷ 2.67 ft² = 543.4 → 544
- Pallets: 1,449 ft² ÷ 450 ft² per pallet = 3.22 → 4 pallets
Sod to order: 1,449 ft²; Pieces: 544; Pallets: 4 pallets; Estimated cost: $1,000.00. Open this example in the calculator.
Sod sizes and coverage
| Size | Covers | Pieces per 100 ft² |
|---|---|---|
| 16 × 24 in slab | 2.67 ft² | 38 |
| 18 × 24 in slab | 3 ft² | 34 |
| 2 × 5 ft roll | 10 ft² | 10 |
| 1 m² roll (metric) | 1 m² (10.8 ft²) | about 9.3 per 100 ft² |
A pallet commonly covers 400–500 ft², but farms differ, so ask before ordering.
Preparing for sod
- Remove old grass and weeds, then loosen the soil 4–6 in deep.
- Add topsoil or compost if the soil is poor; the topsoil calculator works out how much.
- Grade and rake level, sloping slightly away from the house, and firm the surface with a roller.
- Lay sod the day it arrives, in a brick pattern with tight, staggered joints, and water it thoroughly the same day.
Assumptions and limitations
- Lawn shapes are simple geometric areas; for very irregular lawns, add extra allowance.
- Pallet coverage varies by farm and grass type.
- Sod is laid without gaps; the allowance covers trimming at edges and beds.
Sod questions
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
Usually about 400–500 ft², often around 450 ft² (for example 170 slabs of 16 × 24 in). Check with your supplier.
How many pieces of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
375 slabs of 16 × 24 in for the exact area, or about 394 with 5% extra.
How much extra sod should I order?
5% for rectangular lawns, 10% for lawns with curved beds, many trees or awkward corners.
Formulas, unit conversions and default values are explained on our methodology page. Results are estimates; check manufacturer data and local codes before you buy or build.