Sod calculator

Enter your lawn size and the sod size your supplier sells. You'll get the square feet to order, the number of pieces, and how many pallets that is.

Shape of the area

Length (feet)

Width (feet)

Diameter (feet)

Sod piece size

Square feet per pallet

Extra for cuts and waste (%)

–sq ft to order

Lawn area (sq ft): –
Pieces: –
Pallets: –

Pallet sizes vary from about 400 to 500 sq ft. Ask your supplier.

How much extra sod to order

For a simple rectangle, 5% extra is usually enough. For a lawn with curved beds, trees or lots of edges, order 10% extra, because every cut piece leaves an offcut you can't use.

How the math works

Area in square feet, plus the waste percentage, is what you order. Dividing by the size of one piece gives the number of pieces, and dividing by the pallet size gives pallets. A 40 by 25 foot lawn is 1,000 square feet, or 1,050 with 5% extra. That's 105 rolls of 2 by 5 feet, or about 2.3 pallets of 450 square feet.

Before the sod arrives

Sod is perishable. Prepare the soil first, so you can lay it the same day it's delivered. Rolled sod left stacked in the sun can heat up and yellow within a day.

Common questions

Should I round up to a full pallet?

Many suppliers sell partial pallets, but some only sell full ones, and a full pallet can cost less per square foot. Compare the price of a partial pallet with the next full one.

How should I lay sod?

Start along a straight edge such as a driveway, and stagger the joints like bricks so seams don't line up. Butt pieces tightly together without overlapping, then water deeply right away.

How soon can I walk on new sod?

Keep foot traffic light for about two weeks, until the roots have knitted into the soil. A gentle tug that doesn't lift the piece is a good sign it's rooted.