Sod Calculator
Laying a new lawn or patching a bare yard? Our free sod calculator tells you exactly how much sod to order. Enter your lawn's length and width, subtract any beds or patios, pick your supplier's pallet size, and add a cutting-waste allowance — you'll get the square feet to order, the number of pallets, and the roll count, updated instantly.
Enter your numbers
Your results
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Gross lawn area | — |
| Net area (after subtraction) | — |
| Rolls needed (10 sq ft each) | — |
Pallet sizes vary by supplier — typically 400–600 sq ft. Confirm the coverage of your supplier's pallet before placing your order.
How to use this calculator
Measure your lawn's length and width in feet at the widest points and type them in. Enter the combined square footage of anything sod won't cover — flower beds, patios, walkways, driveways — in the subtraction field (leave it at 0 if the whole area gets sodded). Then pick your supplier's pallet size and a waste allowance; results update instantly.
Order the pallets rounded up — sod is sold by the pallet or half-pallet, and running short means a dead bare patch in the middle of an otherwise finished lawn.
How it works
The math is straightforward: gross area = length (ft) × width (ft), then net area = gross area − area to subtract (floored at zero so an oversized subtraction can't produce a negative order). The order amount adds the waste allowance: order = net × (1 + waste ÷ 100).
Pallets are sized at 450 sq ft (standard) or 500 sq ft (large) and are rounded up to the nearest half pallet: pallets = ceil((order ÷ pallet size) × 2) ÷ 2. Rolls assume the common 10-sq-ft roll: rolls = ceil(order ÷ 10). Pallet coverage varies by supplier (typically 400–600 sq ft), so treat these numbers as a planning estimate and confirm the actual coverage when you order.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
A standard pallet covers about 450 sq ft and a large pallet about 500 sq ft. But sizes vary by supplier — pallets commonly range from 400 to 600 sq ft — so always confirm the coverage with your supplier before ordering.
Should I order extra sod for waste?
Yes. Add 5–10% extra on top of your measured lawn area. Cutting sod to fit around curves, edges, trees, and walkways creates unavoidable waste, and it's far better to have a little extra than to run short with a gap in the middle of your lawn. This calculator defaults to 5%.
Is sod or grass seed cheaper?
Grass seed is generally much cheaper per square foot than sod. Sod costs more because the grower has already invested a year or more into cultivating the turf. The trade-off: sod gives you an instant, weed-free lawn the day it's laid, while seed takes weeks of careful watering before it fills in.
How soon after delivery should sod be laid?
As soon as possible — ideally the same day, and no later than 24–48 hours after delivery. Cut sod is a living product; stacked on the pallet it dries out and heats up quickly. If you can't lay it right away, keep the pallets in shade and lightly mist them.
How do I measure an irregularly shaped lawn?
Divide the lawn into simple rectangles (and right triangles: area = ½ × base × height), calculate each piece's area, and add them up. Alternatively, multiply the average of the longest and shortest length by the average width. Either way, round up and lean on the waste allowance — irregular shapes need more cutting.