Sod Calculator
Find how many rolls or pallets of sod you need to cover your lawn, and what it will cost.
Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browser · Last reviewed November 2026
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About the Sod Calculator
Sod gives you an instant lawn, but it must be ordered by area and laid within a day or two of delivery. This sod calculator multiplies the length and width of your lawn, adds 5% for cuts and waste, and converts the result to rolls and pallets. Sod is typically sold in rolls of about 10 square feet and pallets of 400 to 500 square feet.
How to use it
- Enter the lawn length and width in feet.
- Check the roll and pallet sizes with your supplier and enter the price per square foot.
- Press Calculate sod to see rolls, pallets and cost.
Sod formula
Sod needed = length × width × 1.05. A 50 × 30 ft lawn is 1,500 sq ft, so order about 1,575 sq ft, or 158 rolls of 10 sq ft.
Installing sod
- Lay sod the day it arrives, ideally within 24 hours.
- Prepare the soil, grade it and remove debris first.
- Stagger seams like bricks and press edges tight.
- Water deeply right after laying and keep the soil moist for the first two weeks.
Sod vs seed
| Factor | Sod | Seed |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Usable in weeks | Months to establish |
| Upfront cost | Higher | Lower |
| Weeds and erosion | Fewer | More at first |
Sod ordering tips and a second example
For a 35 × 20 ft front yard, the area is 700 sq ft. Adding 5% gives 735 sq ft, which is 74 rolls of 10 sq ft or about 1.6 pallets at 450 sq ft each. Because pallets come whole, you would normally order 2. At a hypothetical $0.50 per square foot, the sod itself would cost about $368.
Common mistakes
- Ordering for a curved lawn as a rectangle. Split odd shapes into rectangles and triangles, add them up, and then apply the waste factor.
- Letting pallets sit. Sod stacked on a pallet heats up and yellows within a day or two, especially in summer.
- Laying sod on dry or compacted soil. Loosen the top inch or two, grade it, and moisten it before the rolls go down.
- Choosing the wrong grass. Cool-season mixes such as fescue and bluegrass suit northern lawns, while warm-season grasses such as Bermuda suit the South. A local grower can tell you what fits.
Check the soil depth under the lawn with the topsoil calculator if you need to bring in fill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
A pallet usually covers 400 to 500 square feet, depending on the grower.
How many rolls of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
About 105 rolls of 10 sq ft including 5% waste.
How much does sod cost per square foot?
Prices vary by grass type and region, often from about $0.30 to $1.00 per square foot before installation.
Can I lay sod in any season?
Spring and fall are best. Summer works with extra watering. Avoid frozen ground.
Do I need topsoil under sod?
Sod roots best in 4 to 6 inches of loose, quality soil.
When is the best time of year to lay sod?
Early fall and spring are generally easiest for cool-season grasses, while warm-season sod does best once the weather has warmed up. Avoid laying it during extreme heat or on frozen ground.
Can I walk on new sod?
Keep traffic to a minimum for the first two weeks while the roots knit into the soil. After about three to four weeks it should tug firmly when lifted at a corner.
Last reviewed: November 2026.