How much sod you need — rolls, pallets & cost with a waste buffer
Measure just the area you're sodding. For odd shapes, break the yard into rectangles, add their areas, and enter the total under "Enter area directly."
Every cut around a curve, bed, or tree creates an offcut you can't always reuse. 5% for a plain rectangle; 10–15% for curvy or obstacle-heavy yards.
Pallet coverage varies by farm — commonly ~450–500 sq ft. Set it to match your supplier's pallet.
Enter either price to estimate cost. Per-pallet pricing (whole lawns) is usually cheaper per sq ft than per-roll.
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Sod Calculator — guide & how to use
Estimates only. Confirm roll size, pallet coverage, and pricing with your sod supplier before ordering. Real coverage varies with cut waste and how square your lawn is. All math runs privately in your browser.
What it does
This sod calculator turns your lawn area into the square feet of sod to order,
then converts that into the number of rolls and pallets, and (if you enter a
price) the total cost. It adds a waste allowance for cuts around curves, beds,
and edges so you don't come up a few pieces short and have to wait on a second delivery while laid sod dries out.
How to use it
Enter your lawn size — rectangle, circle, or a direct square-footage. For odd yards, split into rectangles and sum.
Set a waste allowance (tap a preset: 5 / 10 / 15%).
Pick your roll/slab size and your supplier's pallet coverage.
Optionally add a price to estimate cost.
Read the square feet to order, the rolls, and the pallets.
How the math works
Area = length × width (rectangle), π × (diameter ÷ 2)² (circle), or your direct sq ft.
Sod to order = area × (1 + waste% ÷ 100).
Rolls = sod ÷ roll size, rounded up.
Pallets = sod ÷ pallet coverage, rounded up.
Cost = sod × $/sq ft, or pallets × $/pallet.
Worked example
A 50 ft × 40 ft lawn (2,000 sq ft), 5% waste, 10 sq ft rolls, 450 sq ft pallets:
Sod to order = 2,000 × 1.05 = 2,100 sq ft.
Rolls = 2,100 ÷ 10 = 210 rolls.
Pallets = 2,100 ÷ 450 = 4.67 → 5 pallets.
At $0.45/sq ft → 2,100 × $0.45 = $945.
Sod sizes & coverage
Form
Typical coverage
Roll (2 ft × 5 ft)
10 sq ft
Slab (16 in × 24 in)
2.66 sq ft
Pallet
~450–500 sq ft (varies by farm)
Sizes vary by region and supplier — always confirm before ordering.
Accuracy notes & assumptions
This is an estimate. Cut waste depends on how curvy and obstacle-heavy the yard is.
Sod is perishable. Order only what you can lay within a day or two; don't stockpile pallets.
Pallet coverage isn't standard. 450–500 sq ft is common but some farms run 400 or 600 — set it to match.
Order to the square foot, lay tight. Stagger seams like brickwork and butt edges snugly; gaps dry out.
Common mistakes this avoids
Forgetting waste and running short on the last few cuts.
Assuming a fixed pallet size when farms differ.
Ordering far ahead — sod yellows fast on the pallet.
Measuring the whole yard instead of just the sodded area.
How to embed this tool on your website
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need?
Measure area in square feet, add 5–10% waste for cuts, and that's what you order. This tool converts it to rolls, pallets, and cost.
How many square feet is a pallet?
Usually ~450–500 sq ft, but it varies by farm (some 400, some 600). Set the pallet coverage to match your supplier.
How much waste should I add?
~5% for a plain rectangle, 10–15% for curves, beds, trees, and lots of cut edges.
Rolls or pallets?
Patches by the roll; whole lawns by the pallet (cheaper per sq ft). Sod is perishable — only buy what you'll lay quickly.
Is it really free?
Yes — 100% free, all in your browser. It's an estimate; confirm sizes and pricing with your supplier.