Sod Calculator
How much sod to order for any lawn shape, in square feet, pallets, slabs or rolls, with topsoil and cost. Add as many rectangles, circles and triangles as your yard needs.
Multiply length × width of each lawn area in feet, add them up, and order 5–10% extra for cuts. One pallet covers about 450 sq ft (check with your farm: 400–500 is typical), a 16 × 24 in slab covers 2.67 sq ft and a 2 × 5 ft roll covers 10 sq ft. A 1,000 sq ft lawn needs about 1,050 sq ft, or 2.3 pallets.
Sod needed for common lawn sizes
Including 5% extra, with 450 sq ft pallets.
| Lawn area | Order (sq ft) | Pallets | Slabs 16 × 24 in | Rolls 2 × 5 ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 sq ft | 210 | 0.5 | 79 | 21 |
| 500 sq ft | 525 | 1.2 | 197 | 53 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,050 | 2.3 | 394 | 105 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 1,575 | 3.5 | 590 | 158 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,100 | 4.7 | 787 | 210 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 2,625 | 5.8 | 984 | 263 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 3,150 | 7.0 | 1,180 | 315 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 5,250 | 11.7 | 1,967 | 525 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 10,500 | 23.3 | 3,933 | 1,050 |
How to measure and order sod
- Split the yard into simple shapes: rectangles, circles (measure across) and triangles. Measure in feet.
- Subtract flower beds, patios and paths inside those shapes.
- Add 5–10%: 5% for straight runs, 10% for curves, slopes and lots of trimming around beds.
- Order for one day: sod is cut to order and should be laid within 24 hours, so have the soil graded, raked and moist before it arrives.
- Lay in a brick pattern with tight seams, roll it, and water until the soil 3–4 inches down is wet.
Prefer to seed instead? Seed costs far less per square foot but takes a season to fill in; compare with the grass seed calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need?
Measure the lawn in feet, multiply length by width for each rectangle (or use the circle and triangle options for curves), add the areas together and subtract beds and patios. Add 5% for straight edges or 10% for curves and lots of cutting. That total, in square feet, is what to order.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Most sod farms load about 450 to 500 sq ft per pallet, but some use 400 sq ft or large rolls of 500 to 700 sq ft. This calculator uses 450 sq ft; enter your supplier's number for an exact pallet count.
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
A standard 16 × 24 in slab covers 2.67 sq ft, so a 450 sq ft pallet holds about 169 slabs. Rolls of 2 × 5 ft cover 10 sq ft each, about 45 per pallet.
How much sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
About 1,050 sq ft with 5% extra: 2.3 pallets of 450 sq ft, 394 slabs of 16 × 24 in, or 105 rolls of 2 × 5 ft.
Should I put topsoil down before sod?
Sod roots best into loose, level soil. Where the existing soil is compacted, rocky or low, spread 1 to 2 inches of screened topsoil (or more to fill dips), rake it level and roll it lightly before laying sod. Use the topsoil option to estimate cubic yards.
How soon can you walk or mow on new sod?
Water daily for the first one to two weeks so the soil underneath stays moist, and keep foot traffic off. Most sod roots in two to three weeks; mow for the first time once it no longer lifts when you tug a corner.
Run a garden club, nursery or landscaping site? Embed this calculator free with one line of code.
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Pallet coverage of 450–500 sq ft and standard 16 × 24 in slab size, per Sod Solutions and typical U.S. sod farm listings; your supplier's figures take priority. Circle areas use π × diameter² ÷ 4. Topsoil volume is area × depth ÷ 12 ÷ 27. Prices are placeholders to edit.