Sod Calculator: How Many Rolls or Square Feet?
How much sod do I need? Enter the area to cover, an allowance for cuts and waste, and your roll size. Roll and pallet sizes are typical values and differ by supplier, so confirm with yours. Sod is sold by area; for seeded lawns use the lawn seed calculator.
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Formula
sod needed = area x (1 + waste / 100)
rolls = sod needed / roll size, rounded up. pallets = rolls x roll size / pallet coverage, rounded up.
cost = rolls x roll size x price per sq ft
Assumptions
- Roll sizes (9, 10 and 20 sq ft) and the 450 sq ft pallet are typical values; suppliers differ.
- Pallets and rolls are rounded up to whole units.
Worked example
1,000 sq ft with 10% waste: 1,000 x 1.10 = 1,100 sq ft. With 10 sq ft rolls that is 110 rolls. 1,100 / 450 = 2.44, so 3 pallets. At 0.50 per sq ft the cost is 1,100 x 0.50 = 550.
A 600 sq ft lawn with 10% waste needs 660 sq ft, or 66 rolls and 2 pallets.
When to use it
Use it when you want an instant lawn and need to know what to order. Measure the planting area, not the whole yard, and use the waste allowance for curves and edges. Sod is perishable, so confirm the delivery date and have the soil ready before the pallets arrive.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the waste allowance. Simple rectangles need about 5 percent, while curved or sloped areas need 10 percent or more.
- Ordering by roll count with the wrong roll size. Check whether your supplier sells slabs, rolls or big rolls.
- Mixing up the bag weight of seed with the area of sod.
How it differs from nearby calculators
The lawn seed calculator gives pounds of seed per area for a lawn grown from seed. The lawn fertilizer calculator is for feeding the lawn afterwards, and the lawn watering calculator covers the sprinkler time that fresh turf needs.
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
Add a waste allowance first. With 10% waste you need 1,100 sq ft, which is 110 rolls of 10 sq ft, or about 2.4 pallets at a typical 450 sq ft per pallet, so order 3 pallets.
How much waste should I allow for sod?
Typical allowances are 5% for a simple rectangle and 10% or more for curves, slopes and many edges. Cut pieces cannot always be reused.
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
Typical pallets hold about 400 to 500 sq ft, depending on the grass and the supplier. The calculator uses 450 as a default; change it to match your quote.
Why does the cost use whole rolls?
You pay for whole rolls, so the cost is rolls x roll size x price per sq ft. For 1,234 sq ft with 5% waste that is 130 rolls, or 1,300 sq ft, at 0.45 per sq ft = 585.
How many rolls of sod for 500 square feet?
With the default 5 percent waste you need 525 sq ft. Rolls of 10 sq ft mean 53 rolls (530 sq ft), which is 2 pallets at 450 sq ft each. At 0.45 per sq ft the cost is 238.50.
How many pallets of sod do I need for an acre?
An acre is 43,560 sq ft. With 5 percent waste you need 45,738 sq ft, which is 4,574 rolls of 10 sq ft, or 102 pallets at 450 sq ft per pallet.
How much sod for a 20 by 30 foot lawn?
The area is 600 sq ft. With 10 percent waste for cuts you need 660 sq ft, so 66 rolls of 10 sq ft, or 2 pallets.