Sod Calculator

Measure each area that will receive sod - by shape (rectangle, circle, triangle, or trapezoid) or a known square footage - add them together, subtract any patios or beds that won't be sodded, then add a few percent for cutting waste. Divide the result by 9 to get square yards, the unit sod is usually sold in. The calculator above does this automatically and also returns an approximate piece count and a pallet estimate.

This calculator finds the lawn's area in square feet, applies the waste/overage percentage you choose to that area to get the total sod order area, then converts that final order area to square yards - the unit most sod is sold in. Purdue Extension recommends about 10 percent extra to cover calculation errors and the waste from cutting sod around corners and edges. For a 3,779 square foot lawn with that 10 percent allowance, 3,779 x 1.10 is about 4,157 square feet to order, or about 462 square yards.

There is no standard. Mississippi State University Extension says a pallet typically contains 450 to 500 square feet. Across the industry pallets run roughly 400 to 700 square feet: warm-season slabs are cut thick with more soil attached, so a pallet often covers about 400 square feet, while lighter cool-season rolls can reach 500 to 700 square feet before the pallet gets too heavy to handle. Always confirm the coverage with your supplier and enter it above for an exact pallet count.

It depends on the format your supplier stocks - these aren't universal sizes. As common reference points (Sod Solutions): a Southern slab measures about 16 by 24 inches and covers 2.67 square feet, so it takes about 188 to cover 500 square feet; a mini hand roll covers about 5 square feet (100 per 500 square feet); a large roll covers about 10 square feet (50 per 500 square feet). Divide your square footage to order by the coverage of the format your supplier actually sells.

Guidance varies. Mississippi State University Extension suggests buying about 5 percent more than you think you need. Purdue Extension recommends about 10 percent to cover miscalculations and the waste from cutting around corners and edges. A lawn with many beds, trees, and curves will generally need more than a simple rectangular one, since there is no single figure that fits every layout. This calculator applies none of these automatically - set the figure that matches your lawn in the optional waste field.

You don't need a separate tool first. Split the lawn into simpler shapes - rectangles, circles, triangles, or trapezoids - and add each one with 'Add lawn area'; the calculator combines them into one net lawn area automatically. Subtract any patio, bed, or other area that won't be sodded with 'Subtract non-sod area'. For a standalone area calculation outside a sod estimate, the Square Footage Calculator remains a useful tool. Because irregular shapes waste more sod at the cut edges, plan for a higher waste percentage than a simple rectangular lawn needs - there's no single figure that fits every layout, so choose one that matches how many cuts and curves your lawn actually has.

Yes. Sod needs firm, graded soil with the top few inches loosened and, on poor sites, topsoil or compost mixed into the upper 6 to 8 inches (Purdue Extension). Do this before the sod is delivered, since sod should be laid within a day or so of harvest. Use the Topsoil Calculator to estimate how much topsoil or compost you need for the bed.

Most sod is priced and sold by the square yard, and one square yard equals 9 square feet (Mississippi State University Extension). Suppliers still quote pallet coverage in square feet, so it helps to know both numbers. This calculator reports the amount to order in square feet and in square yards.

Yes. Select 'Subtract non-sod area' and measure the patio, driveway, garden bed, pool, walkway, or building footprint the same way you measure a lawn section - by shape or as a known area. The calculator subtracts the total excluded area from your lawn areas to get the net lawn area: net lawn area = total lawn areas minus excluded areas. This keeps you from ordering sod for ground that won't be sodded.

Suppliers sell sod by the whole pallet, so a fractional pallet still means buying the next full one. For example, 1,932 square feet at 450 square feet per pallet is 1,932 / 450 = 4.29, which rounds up to 5 pallets - rounding down would leave part of the lawn short. Always confirm the pallet's actual coverage with your supplier before ordering, since coverage is not standardized.