Sod Calculator. Laying new sod is a big purchase, and the Sod Calculator takes the guesswork out of how much you need and what it'll cost. Enter your lawn's length and width, select your sod type (rolls, slabs, or pallets), set your price per unit, and adjust the waste factor for cuts and shaping. You'll get your total sod cost, along with lawn area, adjusted area with waste, units needed, and pallets required. Also try the Mulch Calculator.
To calculate sod needed, multiply your lawn's length by width to get square footage, then add 5-10% for waste. Divide by the coverage of your chosen sod type (10 sq ft for rolls, 2.67 sq ft for slabs). See also our calculate Water Applied, Total Water Used & Application Rate — Irrigation Water.
A standard pallet typically contains 45-50 sod rolls, covering approximately 450-500 square feet. This can vary by supplier and sod type.
Adding 5-10% extra sod accounts for cutting around curves, obstacles, and irregular shapes. It ensures you have enough material to complete your project without running short.
Sod rolls are larger pieces (typically 10 sq ft) that are rolled up for transport. Slabs are smaller rectangular pieces (about 2.67 sq ft) that are easier to handle but require more pieces per area.
Sod prices vary by grass type and region, typically ranging from $3-8 per roll or $0.30-0.80 per square foot. Premium grass varieties and delivery fees may increase costs.
The best time to lay sod is during cooler months (fall or early spring) when grass can establish roots before extreme weather. Avoid laying sod during hot summer or freezing winter conditions.
Break irregular shapes into rectangles, triangles, and circles. Calculate each area separately, then add them together. Use our calculator for each section and sum the total square footage. You might also find our calculate Water Potential Total Water Potential (Ψ) useful.