Sod Calculator
Find how many pallets or rolls of sod your lawn area needs, waste included.
What you'll need to order
- sod
- starter fertiliser
- screened topsoil
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
pallets = length × width × 1.05 ÷ 450
A standard pallet of sod covers about 450 sq ft, though this varies by region — some suppliers ship 400 or 500 sq ft pallets. The 5% allowance covers cuts around curves, beds and edges.
Worked example
With length 20 ft, width 30 ft, this calculator returns 1.4 pallets.
Waste allowance
The headline figure includes a 5% allowance for waste and over-ordering. The exact requirement is shown alongside it.
Sod pallets by lawn width
Figures below assume length 50 ft. Change any measurement in the calculator to get your own numbers.
| Width | Pallets needed (pallets) | Square footage to order (sq ft) | Individual rolls (rolls) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 ft | 2.33 | 1,050 | 105.0 |
| 30 ft | 3.50 | 1,575 | 157.5 |
| 40 ft | 4.67 | 2,100 | 210.0 |
| 50 ft | 5.83 | 2,625 | 262.5 |
| 60 ft | 7.00 | 3,150 | 315.0 |
| 80 ft | 9.33 | 4,200 | 420.0 |
For a 50 ft long lawn. Pallet coverage varies by region — most cover 450 to 500 sq ft, and this calculator uses the common figure.
How much sod for a typical lawn?
| Job | Size | Pallets needed | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small front garden | 30 ft × 20 ft | 1.40 pallets | $210 – $560 |
| Suburban front lawn | 50 ft × 30 ft | 3.50 pallets | $525 – $1,400 |
| Back garden | 60 ft × 40 ft | 5.60 pallets | $840 – $2,240 |
| Quarter-acre lot, less house | 100 ft × 70 ft | 16.33 pallets | $2,450 – $6,533 |
| Half-acre lot, less house | 150 ft × 100 ft | 35.00 pallets | $5,250 – $14,000 |
Measure only the area you are actually turfing. Beds, paths, the driveway and the house footprint all come out of the total, which on a typical lot is close to half the plot.
Cost range uses $150–$400 per pallet for material only.
What does sod cost?
Material typically runs $150 to $400 per pallet. Delivered, not laid. Professional installation including ground preparation typically doubles that, at roughly $1 to $2 per square foot all in.
What moves the price:
- Grass type — fescue and bermuda are cheapest, zoysia and St Augustine cost more
- Delivery distance from the farm, since sod must be laid within 24 hours
- Season: spring and autumn demand raises prices
- Whether the ground needs grading, topsoil or amendment first
Prices are US averages and move with fuel, season and haul distance. Always get two local quotes before budgeting.
Grass types and where they belong
| Type | Climate zone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tall fescue | 1.00 | Cool season; transition zone and north |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 1.00 | Cool season; needs the most water |
| Bermuda | 2.00 | Warm season; full sun, high traffic tolerance |
| Zoysia | 2.00 | Warm season; dense, slow to establish |
| St Augustine | 3.00 | Warm season; the shade-tolerant southern choice |
| Centipede | 3.00 | Warm season; low maintenance, acidic soil |
Zone 1 is cool season, 2 is warm season, 3 is the humid south. Laying the wrong type for your climate is the most common reason new sod fails in its first year.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets of sod do I need?
Divide your area in square feet by 450, then round up. A 50 by 30 ft lawn is 1,500 sq ft, which needs four pallets once waste is allowed.
How much does sod cost per square foot?
Thirty to eighty cents per square foot for the sod itself, delivered. Professional installation including ground preparation brings the total to roughly $1 to $2 per square foot.
How do I prepare ground for sod?
Kill existing grass, till the top 4 to 6 inches, grade away from the house, and rake to a fine tilth. Sod laid on compacted, unprepared ground roots poorly and never recovers.
When can I walk on new sod?
Keep off it for two weeks beyond light watering traffic, and wait three to four weeks before normal use. Tug a corner: when it resists lifting, the roots have taken.
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
Most US pallets cover 450 sq ft, but regional suppliers ship anywhere from 400 to 500 sq ft. Confirm the coverage before ordering — a 50 sq ft difference across five pallets is a quarter pallet short.
How much extra sod should I order?
Add 5% for a rectangular lawn and 10% for anything with curves, islands or beds to cut around. Sod cannot be stretched, and a second delivery for two missing rolls costs more than the overage.
How do I measure an irregular lawn for sod?
Split the area into rectangles, triangles and circles, work out each one separately, then add them together. Rectangles are length times width, triangles are half base times height, circles are 3.14 times the radius squared.
How soon should sod be laid after delivery?
Within 24 hours, and the same day in summer heat. Stacked sod starts composting on the pallet and can yellow or die within 48 hours. Schedule delivery for the morning you plan to lay it.
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
Between 1,500 and 3,000 lb depending on soil moisture. That rules out most trailers and half-ton pickups, so factor delivery into your budget rather than planning to collect it.