Sod Calculator
Work out exactly how many rolls or pallets of sod your lawn needs, with a waste allowance for edges and curves already built in. Add your own prices for a full cost estimate — nothing here uses a stale national average.
How this calculator works
The calculator sums every lawn section, subtracts patios and beds, adds a 5% waste allowance for edges and curves, then converts to rolls and, if you're ordering in bulk, full pallets:
lawn_area = sum(sections) − sum(exclusions) rolls = ceil(lawn_area × 1.05 / coverage_per_roll) // 5% waste for edges/curves pallets = ceil(rolls / rolls_per_pallet)
Pallets always round up to a whole pallet, since suppliers sell sod by the pallet as a unit — a job that needs 51 rolls still requires 2 pallets at 50 rolls each.
Worked example
A front yard (40 ft × 30 ft) and back yard (50 ft × 35 ft), minus a 15 ft × 20 ft patio and a 10 ft × 8 ft flower bed:
- Gross lawn: (40 × 30) + (50 × 35) = 2,950 sq ft.
- Exclusions: (15 × 20) + (10 × 8) = 380 sq ft.
- Lawn area: 2,950 − 380 = 2,570 sq ft.
- Rolls: ceil(2,570 × 1.05 ÷ 9) = 300 rolls.
- Pallets: ceil(300 ÷ 50) = 6 pallets.
At $175 per pallet, that example totals 6 × $175 =$1,050 — often cheaper than the same 300 rolls priced individually, which is part of why larger jobs default to pallet pricing.
Measuring your lawn
- Lawn sections — add one entry per roughly rectangular area of yard; break irregular shapes into a few rectangles.
- Exclusions — subtract patios, beds, walkways, sheds and any other area sod won't cover.
- Curves and slopes — the 5% waste allowance covers typical curved bed edges and minor overage; very curvy layouts may need a bit more.
- Delivery — sod is perishable once cut, so measure carefully and plan to lay it within a day or two of delivery.
How much does new sod cost?
Rather than quoting a national average that's stale the day it's published, this calculator prices the job from what you actually enter. Choose Rolls if you're buying loose rolls, orPallets if you're ordering in bulk — the total is calculated from whichever price you provide. The estimate doesn't include delivery fees, soil amendments, or installation labor.
Frequently asked questions
Rolls vs full pallets — when should I order a pallet?
Once a job needs more than roughly a pallet's worth — often around 450 to 500 square feet — ordering by the pallet is usually cheaper per square foot and simpler to deliver. Small jobs and patch repairs are fine with individual rolls.
Best time of year to lay sod?
It depends on grass type. Cool-season grasses like fescue and bluegrass do best in early fall or spring. Warm-season grasses like bermuda and St. Augustine do best from late spring through summer, while actively growing. Avoid extreme heat or frozen ground either way.
How much ground prep is needed before laying?
Clear existing vegetation and debris, till or loosen the top few inches of soil, grade for drainage, work in amendments or starter fertilizer if needed, then rake smooth before laying. Skipping prep is a common cause of sod failing to root.
How soon can sod be walked on / mowed?
Light foot traffic is usually fine within the first week, but avoid heavy traffic for about 2 to 3 weeks while roots establish. The first mow typically comes around that same mark, once the grass needs trimming — use a sharp blade and don't cut too short.