Sod calculator
How much sod to order for a new lawn, in square feet, rolls and pallets.
- Full pallets
- Or pallets + rolls
Defaults are a common 2 × 5 ft roll and a 450 sq ft pallet. Pallets range from about 450 to 675 sq ft; use your supplier's figures.
How to use it
Measure the lawn's length and width in feet, or enter the total area if you've already worked it out with the square footage calculator. Then enter your sod farm's roll size and pallet coverage. The calculator shows how much to order in rolls, in full pallets, and as full pallets plus loose rolls, which many suppliers sell.
How it's calculated
- Sod needed = lawn area × (1 + extra for cuts).
- Rolls = sod needed ÷ square feet per roll, rounded up.
- Pallets = sod needed ÷ square feet per pallet, rounded up.
| Lawn | With 5% extra | 10 sq ft rolls | 450 sq ft pallets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 525 sq ft | 53 | 2 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,050 sq ft | 105 | 3 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,625 sq ft | 263 | 6 |
Roll and pallet sizes vary
Many farms cut sod in 2 × 5 ft rolls (10 sq ft), but 15 sq ft rolls and small slabs are common too. A pallet holds anywhere from about 450 to 675 sq ft depending on the farm and grass type. Always use the figures your supplier quotes; they're on the price list.
Tips
- Lay sod the day it arrives. Rolled sod heats up and starts dying within a day or two on the pallet, especially in summer.
- Prepare the soil first: clear old grass and weeds, loosen the top few inches, rake it level, and water it the day before.
- Stagger the joints like bricks, and butt the edges tight without overlapping.
- Water heavily right after laying and keep it moist until the roots take hold, usually two to three weeks.
- Add 5 to 10% extra for curved beds and lots of edges, where more pieces get cut.