Sod Calculator
Measure your lawn area to see how many square feet, pieces and pallets of sod to order — and how much extra to allow for trimming.
Enter the size of the lawn area.
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How to use the sod calculator
- Measure the lawn area — just the part you're sodding, not beds or paths. Break odd shapes into rectangles, circles and triangles and add them up, or use our square footage calculator.
- Choose the piece and pallet size your supplier sells. They vary by region and grass type, so check the listing.
- Add extra for trimming: 5% for simple rectangles, 10% if the lawn has curves, beds and trees to cut around.
How to calculate sod
Worked example: a 30 × 20 ft back yard
- Area: 600 sq ft; plus 5% = 630 sq ft
- 16 × 24 in slabs (2.67 sq ft each): 630 ÷ 2.67 = 237 slabs
- Pallets of 450 sq ft: 630 ÷ 450 = 1.4 — order 2 pallets, or 1 pallet plus about 68 extra slabs if the farm sells single pieces.
How much sod is on a pallet?
There's no single standard. Most pallets cover between 400 and 500 square feet; 450 sq ft is common for warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine and Zoysia, while many northern farms sell cool-season sod in 500 sq ft pallets. Pieces come as small slabs (often 16 × 24 in) or rolls (often 2 × 5 ft).
| Piece | Covers | Pieces per 450 sq ft | Pieces per 500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 × 24 in slab | 2.67 sq ft | 169 | 188 |
| 18 × 24 in slab | 3 sq ft | 150 | 167 |
| 2 × 5 ft roll | 10 sq ft | 45 | 50 |
Prepare the ground first
Sod roots best into loose, fertile soil. Remove the old turf and weeds, loosen the top few inches, and bring in topsoil where the ground is poor or uneven — 4 to 6 inches under a new lawn is common. Grade the soil so water drains away from the house and so the finished sod sits flush with paths and edges. Use our topsoil calculator to size that delivery.
- Order sod for the day you'll lay it. Rolled sod heats up and deteriorates on the pallet, especially in warm weather.
- Stagger the joints like brickwork and butt pieces tightly without stretching them.
- Water deeply right after laying, then keep it moist until the roots knit into the soil.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
With 5% extra you need 1,050 sq ft: about 2.3 pallets of 450 sq ft or 2.1 pallets of 500 sq ft. Most people order the whole pallets and a few extra pieces, or round up to 3.
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
Often 2,000 to 3,000 lb or more depending on grass type, soil and moisture — too heavy for most pickup trucks. Plan on delivery.
How much extra sod should I order?
5% for simple shapes, 10% for curves, beds, trees and lots of edges. Leftover pieces are handy for patching.
Is sod sold by the square foot or square yard?
Usually by the square foot, piece or pallet in the US. One square yard equals 9 square feet.
Sources
Piece and pallet sizes vary by sod farm and grass type — always check your supplier's listing. How we calculate.