How to use the sod calculator
Enter the size and shape of the lawn, subtract any beds or patios inside it, and choose the layout. Then enter the piece size and pallet coverage your sod farm uses; they vary from farm to farm, so ask when you call for a price. The calculator gives the square feet to order, the number of pieces and pallets, and optionally the topsoil to spread first.
The formula
sod (ft²) = (area − cut-outs) × (1 + waste)
pieces = sod ÷ piece area
pallets = sod ÷ pallet coverage, rounded up
Worked example: a 50 × 30 ft back yard
- Area: 1,500 ft². Simple shape, so 5% extra: 1,575 ft².
- Pieces at 16 × 24 in (2.67 ft² each): 1,575 ÷ 2.67 = 591 pieces.
- Pallets at 450 ft² each: 1,575 ÷ 450 = 3.5, so 4 pallets (or 3½ if your farm sells half pallets).
Preparing for sod
- Kill and remove existing weeds and grass.
- Test the soil and work in lime or fertilizer as the test recommends.
- Loosen and level the top few inches, adding topsoil where the ground is poor. Grade so water drains away from the house.
- Firm the surface with a light roller so footprints are shallow, then water lightly the day before.
Sod or seed?
Sod gives an instant lawn, controls erosion on slopes from day one and can go down for much of the growing season, but it costs many times more than seed per square foot and must be laid the day it arrives. Seed is cheap and lets you choose exact varieties, but takes weeks to fill in and needs careful watering. For a slope, a high-traffic area or a quick result, sod usually wins; for a large, flat area on a budget, seed does. The grass seed calculator gives the seed quantity for the same lawn.
Laying tips
- Start along a straight edge like a driveway or patio, and stagger the joints like bricks.
- Butt pieces tight without stretching or overlapping them.
- On slopes, lay pieces across the slope and pin them with sod staples.
- Roll and water immediately so the sod is soaked through to the soil underneath, and keep it moist until the roots take hold.
Questions people ask
How much sod do I need?
Measure the lawn's area in square feet and add about 5% for a simple rectangle or 10% for curves, beds and slopes, since edges have to be cut. A 50 × 30 ft yard is 1,500 square feet, about 1,575 with 5% extra.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
It varies by farm and grass: ask your supplier how many square feet they put on a pallet and enter it above. The calculator divides your total by that figure.
What size is a piece of sod?
Sizes vary by farm. Many sell small slabs about 16 × 24 in (2⅔ square feet), and others sell larger rolls. Enter the size your farm cuts to get a piece count.
Do I need topsoil under sod?
On poor or compacted ground, yes: several inches of good topsoil, loosened and leveled, help the roots knit in. See the topsoil calculator for the volume.
How soon do I need to lay sod after delivery?
The same day if possible. Sod on a pallet heats up and yellows quickly in warm weather. Lay it, roll it and water it thoroughly as you go.
Sources and assumptions
- Piece size and pallet coverage come from your sod farm; the defaults are only examples.
- Waste of 5% for simple shapes and 10% for curves and beds is a common landscaper's allowance.
Last reviewed 27 October 2026. Every formula on this page is checked against the worked example above in our automated tests. Found a problem? Tell us.