How to use the sod calculator
- Pick the unit you measured in. Feet are the default, and meters, yards, inches and centimeters work too.
- Break the lawn into simple pieces. Add one row per rectangle, triangle or circle, and mark flower beds, patios and paths as Subtract.
- Keep the 5% waste allowance or change it. Open More options to edit the roll size and pallet coverage so they match your supplier quote.
- Read the rolls to buy and the pallet count, then copy the shopping list or add a price per roll or pallet for a cost estimate.
Formula
Rectangle area = length x width
Triangle area = base x height / 2
Circle area = 3.14159 x (diameter / 2)^2
Net area = added areas - subtracted areas
Area with waste = net area x (1 + waste percent / 100)
Rolls = area with waste / (roll width in x roll length in / 144), rounded up
Pallets = area with waste / square feet per pallet, rounded up
Sizes you enter in meters, yards, inches or centimeters are converted to feet first, using 1 foot = 0.3048 meter. Rolls are rounded up because you cannot buy part of a roll.
Worked example: a front lawn with a side strip and a round bed
The front lawn is 50 x 30 = 1,500 sq ft. A triangular side strip with a 20 ft base and 10 ft height adds 20 x 10 / 2 = 100 sq ft. A round planting bed 8 ft across subtracts 3.14159 x 4^2 = 50.27 sq ft.
Net area is 1,500 + 100 - 50.27 = 1,549.73 sq ft, which is 172.19 square yards or about 144 square meters.
With 5% waste you need 1,549.73 x 1.05 = 1,627.22 sq ft. A roll of 24 x 60 inches covers 10 sq ft, so you need 162.72 rolls, rounded up to 163 rolls.
If the farm sells pallets of 450 sq ft, the same lawn needs 3.62 pallets, so you would order 4 pallets.
Measuring an irregular lawn
Most yards are not rectangles. Walk the lawn and sketch it, then cover it with the fewest simple shapes you can. A kidney-shaped lawn is often a rectangle plus a half circle, and a corner lot is often a rectangle plus a triangle. Use a circle row for a round bed and enter its diameter, not its radius.
Measure the grass you will actually lay. Drive strips, stepping stones and tree rings are easiest to handle as subtract rows. If you measure curves with a tape along the edge, take the straight-line width at the widest point and the narrowest point and use the average.
Why sod needs a waste allowance
Sod is cut into pieces that must fit the shape of the yard, so edges, curves and trees leave offcuts. A rectangular lawn with straight edges can get by with a small allowance, while a curvy lawn with many beds may need more. This tool starts at 5% and lets you change it. Order only a little extra, because sod dries out quickly once it is cut.
Suppliers also work with different piece sizes. Some farms sell rolls, others sell slabs or big rolls, and the coverage per pallet changes with the cutting size and thickness. Check the quote, not just the label on the product name.
Delivery and laying day
Plan the delivery for the day you will lay the sod, and have the soil graded and moist before it arrives. Start along a straight edge, stagger the seams like bricks and press the edges together without stretching the pieces. If you are unsure about quantity, ask the supplier whether they sell by the square foot, the roll or the pallet, since the unit changes how much you pay for rounding.
Assumptions and limits
- Roll size and pallet coverage are typical example values you can edit. Your supplier decides the real sizes.
- Shapes are treated as flat and exactly as measured. Slopes make the real surface slightly larger than the plan area.
- The waste allowance is an input you control, and nothing here tells you how much your lawn needs.
- Cost uses the prices you enter. Delivery, tax, soil preparation, fertilizer and labor are not included.
- Rounding is up to the next whole roll or pallet. Some farms round to a full pallet or a minimum order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I figure out how much sod I need?
Measure the lawn in square feet, subtract beds and paths, add a waste allowance for cuts, then divide by the area one roll covers. Round up to a whole roll.
How many square feet does a pallet of sod cover?
It depends on the farm and the cut size, so use the coverage your supplier quotes. This tool starts at 450 square feet as an example and lets you change it.
How do I measure a lawn that is not square?
Divide it into rectangles, triangles and circles, find the area of each, and add them together. Subtract any area you will not cover, such as a flower bed or patio.
How much extra sod should I order?
A straight-edged lawn needs only a small margin, and a curved lawn needs more. The tool starts with 5 percent and shows the exact area so you can judge for your yard.
Can I use meters instead of feet?
Yes. Choose meters, yards, inches or centimeters in the unit box and the tool converts your sizes to feet before it works out rolls and pallets.