Sod Calculator

The formula

Coverage and yield assumptions

A standard slab is 16 × 24 in (2.67 sq ft), and big-roll or small-roll formats of 2 × 5 ft (10 sq ft) are common. Pallet coverage ranges from about 400 to 500 sq ft depending on the farm and grass type; 450 sq ft is the default. Confirm with your sod farm before ordering.

Preparing the soil

Remove old turf and weeds, loosen the top 4–6 in, and grade so the surface slopes away from the house. Add topsoil where needed and roll lightly so the final grade sits about 1 in below walks and driveways. Turfgrass Producers International recommends moistening the soil before laying so roots can knit in quickly.

Laying sod

Start along a straight edge such as a driveway. Lay pieces in a brick pattern with staggered seams, butting edges tightly without stretching or overlapping. Use a sharp knife to cut around beds and curves. On slopes, lay across the slope and stake pieces. Roll the lawn after laying to press roots into the soil.

Watering schedule

• Water within 30 minutes of laying the first section.
• Keep sod and the soil beneath moist for the first two weeks.
• Gradually reduce frequency and water more deeply as roots establish.
• Mow when the grass reaches about one third above its normal height.

Choosing a grass

Cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue suit northern climates; warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia and St. Augustine suit the South. Shade tolerance, traffic and water needs differ, so ask the local sod farm or extension office which varieties do best in your area.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ordering sod before the soil is prepared, so it sits on the pallet too long.
• Laying sod over old grass or weeds.
• Leaving gaps between pieces that dry out at the edges.
• Watering too little in the first two weeks.
• Laying pieces with seams lined up instead of staggered.

Waste factor

5% covers trimming at edges and curves. Use 10% for lawns with many beds, trees and curves, and add a little for slopes where pieces may need trimming.

Imperial and metric

Switch the toggle above the inputs to enter ft ↔ m, sq ft ↔ m². The page converts metric entries to imperial before calculating, using NIST factors (1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 in = 2.54 cm), and shows key results in both systems.

Worked examples

Back lawn 40 × 25 ft

Inputs: lawn length 40 ft; lawn width 25 ft; piece size: 16 × 24 in slab (2.67 sq ft); coverage per pallet 450 sq ft; waste factor 5%.

Result: You need 1,050 sq ft of sod.

• Units to buy (rounded up): 3 pallets
• Lawn area: 1,000 sq ft (92.9 m²)
• Pieces: 394
• Pallets: 3

Front yard 60 × 30 ft rolls

Inputs: lawn length 60 ft; lawn width 30 ft; piece size: 2 × 5 ft roll (10 sq ft); coverage per pallet 500 sq ft; waste factor 10%; cost per unit $210.

Result: You need 1,980 sq ft of sod.

• Units to buy (rounded up): 4 pallets
• Lawn area: 1,800 sq ft (167.2 m²)
• Pieces: 199
• Pallets: 4
• Estimated material cost: $840.00

Small patch 15 × 10 ft

Inputs: lawn length 15 ft; lawn width 10 ft; piece size: 16 × 24 in slab (2.67 sq ft); coverage per pallet 450 sq ft; waste factor 5%.

Result: You need 158 sq ft of sod.

• Units to buy (rounded up): 1 pallets
• Lawn area: 150 sq ft (13.9 m²)
• Pieces: 60
• Pallets: 1

Quick reference for common sizes

The table repeats the first worked example at smaller and larger sizes, keeping every other setting the same, so you can see how the sod calculator result scales.

Limitations

Pallet coverage varies by farm and grass, and partial pallets may cost extra. The tool assumes a rectangular lawn; split complex lawns into rectangles.