Sod Calculator
How many rolls or pallets of sod you need for a lawn, with an allowance for trimming and edges.
Sod is the one landscaping material where being a little short is genuinely painful. It has to be laid within about 24 hours of delivery, so a shortage cannot wait for a second order — the pallet you already laid will start to yellow while you chase more. Order slightly over, not under.
Measure the lawn as a series of rectangles rather than trying to trace curves. Break a curved bed into two or three rectangles, add them up, then let the trim allowance absorb the difference. Sod can be cut to shape, but it cannot be stretched, and gaps at the seams dry out first.
How this calculator works
Every field is editable and the result updates as you type — nothing is submitted anywhere, all the maths runs in your browser. That matters for a number you are about to spend money on: you can see exactly which input moved the answer, and by how much.
What this calculation assumes
Assumes a roughly rectangular lawn measured at its widest points and a pallet coverage from your supplier sheet. Slopes, curved beds and soil preparation are not counted: grading, topsoil and a starter fertiliser are separate jobs from the sod itself.
Treat the result as an order-of-magnitude check rather than a final quantity. Product packaging changes, regional labour rates vary by a factor of two, and no calculator has seen your actual site.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
Usually 450 sq ft, but ranges from 400 to 500 depending on the grower and grass type. Each roll covers 10 sq ft, so a 450 sq ft pallet holds 45 rolls. Always ask for the exact figure — the difference between 400 and 500 is nearly a quarter of a pallet.
What is the best time of year to lay sod?
Early autumn in most climates, when soil is still warm but the air has cooled, so roots establish without the water stress of summer. Spring works too if you can irrigate consistently. Mid-summer installation demands watering twice a day for the first two weeks.
How soon do I need to water new sod?
Within 30 minutes of laying, and then daily for the first two weeks. The first watering should soak through to the soil beneath the sod, not just wet the surface — lift a corner after ten minutes to check. Roots need contact with damp soil to knit down.
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