How to use this sod calculator
- Unit, choose whether you are measuring in feet or metres.
- Sod size preset, pick a typical roll and pallet coverage, or choose Custom and type your own supplier's figures.
- Length and width, enter the dimensions of the lawn area you want to cover.
- Waste, set a percentage for cuts and offcuts (5 percent is a sensible default).
- Read your area, sod rolls and pallets, they update instantly as you type.
- Add another area for every extra lawn section, front yard, back yard or odd-shaped corner, each one gets its own rolls and pallets, plus a combined total for the whole job.
How much sod you need
The starting point is the area of your lawn. For a rectangular space the area is simply length × width. Measure in feet to get square feet directly, or measure in metres and the calculator converts the result to square feet for you. For an irregular lawn made of several rectangles, enter each section as its own area and the tool adds them together for you.
Once you know the area, the rest is coverage. A common sod roll covers about 10 square feet, and a full pallet covers roughly 400 to 500 square feet depending on the grower and grass type (450 square feet, about 45 rolls, is a typical middle figure). Because real lawns have curves, beds and edges, it pays toadd about 5 to 10 percent for cuts and odd shapes so you do not come up short halfway through laying it.
The calculator applies your waste percentage to the measured area, then rounds the rolls and pallets up to the next whole unit, since you cannot order a fraction of a roll or pallet. Each area's roll and pallet count is rounded on its own before the areas are added together, so the combined total may run a little higher than dividing the combined area by the coverage figures directly, this matches how you would actually order sod section by section.
Roll and pallet size presets
Sod is not cut to one universal size. The Sod size preset dropdown fills in a typical roll and pallet coverage in square feet so you get a fast estimate: Standard uses a 10 square foot roll and a 450 square foot pallet, Larger pallet uses a 500 square foot pallet, and Smaller pallet uses a 400 square foot pallet, all with the same 10 square foot roll. These are general lawn-care planning figures, not one grower's exact numbers, real coverage depends on the sod farm, the grass type and how thickly the sod is cut. Both coverage fields stay editable after picking a preset, so if your supplier quotes a different roll or pallet size, just type it in and the rest of the calculator updates around it. ChoosingCustom leaves whatever figures are already in the boxes untouched.
Note: roll and pallet sizes vary between sod farms. A roll is commonly around 10 square feet and a pallet somewhere between 400 and 500 square feet, but always confirm the exact coverage with your supplier before placing an order.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate how much sod I need?
Measure the length and width of the lawn, multiply them for the square footage, add 5 to 10 percent for waste, then divide by the coverage of a roll or pallet. This tool does it all automatically.
How much area does one roll of sod cover?
A standard sod roll covers about 10 square feet, though sizes differ by supplier, so check the label for the exact dimensions.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
A typical pallet covers about 400 to 500 square feet depending on the grower and grass type, commonly around 450 square feet, or roughly 45 rolls.
Why should I add a waste percentage?
Lawns are rarely perfect rectangles, so you lose material trimming around curves, beds and corners. A 5 to 10 percent buffer keeps you from running short.
Can I calculate sod for a lawn with several sections?
Yes. Use Add another area to enter a second, third or further lawn section, each with its own length, width and waste allowance. The tool shows every section's own rolls and pallets plus a combined total for the whole job.
Do all sod pallets cover the same area?
No. Coverage varies by sod farm and grass type, roughly 400 to 500 square feet per pallet is typical. Pick a size preset for a quick estimate, or switch to Custom and enter your own supplier's roll and pallet coverage.