Sod calculator
New lawn from sod — instant grass. Enter the area to get rolls, pallets and cost, with a 10% allowance for fitting around curves.
Result
Sod needed
How much sod do I need?
Formula
rolls = lawn ft² ÷ roll ft² × 1.10 waste · pallets = lawn ft² ÷ pallet ft²
Example: a 40 × 30 ft lawn (1,200 ft²) in 9 ft² rolls: 133 → 147 rolls ≈ 3 pallets. Always measure the actual planted area minus beds, paths and the house.
Sod vs seed
| Sod | Seed | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to lawn | 2 weeks | 2–3 months + seasons |
| Cost per 1,000 ft² | $450–700 installed DIY | $60–150 |
| Best season | Cool seasons: spring/fall | Same, plus late-summer windows |
| Weeds during establishment | Almost none | Expect some |
Both need the same start: 4–6 in of loosened topsoil, graded, raked, and moist at laying/sowing time. Seeding amounts: grass seed calculator.
Laying tips that decide success
- Stagger rolls like bricks, tight edges, no gaps — dried seams never heal.
- Lay within 24 hours of cutting; sod is a perishable.
- Water 1 in daily for 2 weeks; mow at 3.5 in once it roots (tug test).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
Standard pallets cover 450–500 ft² (50 rolls of 9–10 ft²). Ask your farm — mini pallets at 300 ft² exist.
How many rolls of sod for 500 square feet?
500 ÷ 9 = 56 → 62 rolls with the 10% fitting allowance, just over one pallet.
How much sod do I need for 1/4 acre?
~10,900 ft² minus house/beds (usually ~7,000–8,000 ft² of actual lawn) → roughly 16–20 pallets. Sod farms discount by the truckload.
Can I lay sod over existing grass?
No — kill/skrape the old lawn and till in 2–3 in of topsoil first, or the new sod roots into dead thatch and fails.
How much waste should I add for sod?
10% for rectangles; 15% for curved beds and lots of cutting. The toggle in the calculator defaults to 10%.