Sod Calculator
Laying sod gives you an instant, weed-free lawn, but it is sold in fixed pieces and by the pallet, and it has to be laid within a day or so of delivery. Ordering the right amount the first time matters. This sod calculator works out your lawn area, adds a sensible allowance for cutting around curves and edges, and tells you how many slabs or rolls and how many pallets to order.
How to use this calculator
- Choose imperial or metric units.
- Enter the lawn area by rectangle, circle or known area. Measure complicated lawns as several rectangles and add them together.
- Set the waste allowance: about 5% for simple rectangles, 10% for curved beds and many obstacles, 15% for very irregular shapes.
- Pick the piece size your supplier sells and check how much one pallet covers – it varies by farm.
- Order the number of pallets shown, or the exact square footage if your supplier sells partial pallets.
How the sod calculation works
Sod needed = lawn area × (1 + waste % ÷ 100). The calculator then divides by the size of one piece and by the coverage of one pallet, always rounding up. A typical US sod slab is 16 × 24 inches, which is 16 × 24 ÷ 144 = 2.67 sq ft. Pallets commonly cover 400 to 500 sq ft, though big-roll and regional sizes differ. In metric countries turf is usually sold in rolls of about 1 m², and a pallet often holds 40 to 60 m².
Worked example
A back lawn measuring 40 × 25 ft is 1,000 sq ft. Adding 5% waste gives 1,050 sq ft. That is 1,050 ÷ 2.67 = 394 slabs (rounded up), or 105 rolls of 10 sq ft. At 500 sq ft per pallet you need 3 pallets – which leaves a little over for repairs. For a 100 m² lawn with 5% waste, order 105 rolls of 1 m², or three pallets of 50 m² if your supplier only sells full pallets.
Preparing the ground
Good preparation makes far more difference to a sod lawn than the sod itself. Remove the old grass and weeds, loosen compacted soil to 4–6 inches, and rake in a layer of topsoil or compost if the soil is poor (use the topsoil calculator to work out how much). Grade the surface so it slopes gently away from buildings, then firm it with a light roller and rake it level. The finished soil should sit about ¾ inch below paths and edging so the new turf ends up flush.
Laying sod
Have the sod delivered on the day you plan to lay it, and keep pallets shaded. Start along a straight edge such as a driveway, and lay pieces in a staggered brick pattern so the short seams do not line up. Butt the edges tightly together without stretching or overlapping, and cut pieces with a sharp knife around curves. Avoid small slivers at the edges – they dry out quickly. Roll the finished lawn to press roots into the soil.
Watering new sod
Water within 30 minutes of laying each section, enough to soak the sod and the top few inches of soil beneath. For the first one to two weeks, keep the sod consistently moist with daily watering (more in hot weather). Once a gentle tug shows that roots have knitted into the soil, gradually water less often but more deeply. Stay off the lawn as much as possible for the first few weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Most pallets cover 400 to 500 sq ft, but it depends on the farm and piece size. Always confirm the coverage with your supplier and type it into the calculator.
How much sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
Order about 1,050 sq ft with 5% waste, or 1,100 sq ft for an irregular lawn – roughly 2 to 3 pallets, or 394 slabs of 16 × 24 in.
How much extra sod should I order?
About 5% for simple rectangular lawns and 10–15% for lawns with curves, trees and beds. A few spare pieces are handy for patching later.
How long can sod sit on the pallet?
Ideally no more than 24 hours, and less in hot weather. Rolled sod heats up and yellows quickly, so lay it the day it arrives.
Is sod cheaper than seed?
No – sod costs several times more than seed for the same area. You are paying for an instant, established lawn with almost no weeds and less risk of erosion.