How the sod calculator works
Sod is sold by area. Work out the lawn area, add a little for trimming, then divide by the size of one piece and by the coverage of one pallet.
pieces = lawn area × (1 + waste %) ÷ area of one roll or slab
pallets = lawn area × (1 + waste %) ÷ sq ft per pallet
For a lawn that is not a simple rectangle, split it into rectangles, circles and triangles. Enter the largest shape above and add the rest in the extra area box. The square footage calculator helps with awkward shapes.
Worked example
A back yard 50 ft long and 30 ft wide is 1,500 sq ft. With 5 percent extra for edges you need 1,575 sq ft. In 2 × 5 ft rolls of 10 sq ft each, that is 158 rolls. If the farm puts 450 sq ft on a pallet, you need 3.5 pallets, so order 4, or ask whether they sell part pallets. In metric, the same lawn is 139.4 m², or 146.3 m² with waste, which is 147 rolls of 1 m².
Common sod piece sizes
| Piece | Size | Covers | Where you see it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard small roll | 2 × 5 ft | 10 sq ft (0.93 m²) | Most US garden centers and sod farms |
| Slab | 16 × 24 in | 2.67 sq ft (0.25 m²) | Some warm-season grasses in the southern US |
| Metric roll | about 1 m² | 10.76 sq ft | Common in Australia and other metric markets |
| Big roll | varies | often hundreds of sq ft | Large jobs laid with machinery |
Sizes are typical, not universal. Ask your supplier for the exact piece size and how much one pallet covers, then enter those numbers.
How much extra sod to add
| Lawn layout | Extra to add |
|---|---|
| Simple rectangle, straight edges | about 5% |
| Curved beds or paths | about 10% |
| Many beds, trees and tight corners | 10 to 15% |
These are rules of thumb. Offcuts from curves can often fill small gaps elsewhere, so a careful installer needs less.
A round lawn 20 ft across is 314 sq ft. Curves waste more, so with 10 percent extra it needs 346 sq ft, or 35 rolls of 10 sq ft.
Tips for laying sod
- Prepare first. Remove old turf and weeds, loosen the soil, rake it level and firm it so it sits slightly below paths and edging. Sod laid on hard, uneven ground struggles to root.
- Time the delivery. Sod is perishable. Plan to lay it the day it arrives. Pieces left stacked in the sun heat up and yellow quickly.
- Stagger the seams. Lay the first row along a straight edge, then offset the joints in the next row like brickwork. Butt the edges tight without stretching.
- Water deeply right away. Soak the new sod until the soil underneath is wet, then keep it moist until the roots grip. Lift a corner to check.
- Stay off it. Keep foot traffic to a minimum for the first couple of weeks.
Laying sod in the fall
In regions with cool-season grasses, fall is a good time to lay sod because cooler air and steadier rain reduce stress on the new lawn. The roots need time to grow into the soil before the ground freezes, so check with your supplier how late they harvest in your area. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda root best when they are actively growing in late spring and summer.
Safety
A full pallet of fresh sod is heavy and can easily exceed the payload of a pickup or small trailer. Ask the supplier for the weight before hauling it yourself, and lift rolls with your legs, not your back. Call your local utility locating service before you dig or rototill.
Frequently asked questions
How many rolls of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
With standard 2 × 5 ft rolls of 10 sq ft and 5 percent extra, order 105 rolls for 1,000 sq ft. That is 2.33 pallets at 450 sq ft per pallet, so 3 pallets unless your supplier sells part pallets.
How big is a roll of sod?
In the US a standard small roll is usually 2 × 5 ft, which covers 10 sq ft. Slabs of 16 × 24 in (2.67 sq ft) are also common, and metric markets often sell rolls of about 1 m².
How much extra sod should I order?
About 5 percent for a simple rectangle, about 10 percent for curved edges, and up to 15 percent for lawns with many beds and corners.
Can I lay sod in November?
In many cool-season areas you can, as long as the ground is not frozen and the sod has a few weeks to root before hard freezes. Ask your local sod farm when they stop harvesting.