Sod Calculator
Calculate sod pieces, rolls and pallets for any lawn area, with waste and pallet coverage.
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Currency: Amounts are calculated in the currency you select; this site does not convert between currencies and does not use live exchange rates.
What this tool does
The Sod Calculator converts lawn area into pieces (16 × 24 in), rolls (2 × 5 ft) and pallets of sod, adding a cutting/waste allowance and checking that the order actually covers the area after waste.
How to use the Sod Calculator
- Measure the lawn area in square feet (the Lawn Area Calculator helps with shapes).
- Add a waste allowance — 5–7% for rectangles, 10%+ for curves.
- Choose pieces or rolls.
- Check pallets and the estimated cost at your supplier's pallet price.
Formula
Order area = Area × (1 + waste); Units = ⌈Order area ÷ unit coverage⌉; Pallets = ⌈Order area ÷ pallet coverage⌉
- Unit coverage
- 2.67 sq ft per 16 × 24 in piece; 10 sq ft per 2 × 5 ft roll
- Pallet coverage
- Supplier figure, typically 400–500 sq ft (default 450)
Worked example
A 1,000 sq ft lawn ordered as 16 × 24 in pieces with 7% waste: 402 pieces, 3 pallets.
Inputs
- Area to sod1000 sq ft
- Waste / cutting allowance7 %
- Sod productPieces 16 × 24 in (2.67 sq ft)
- Coverage per pallet (sq ft)450
- Price per pallet$320
Result
- Pieces to order402
- Pallets3
- Area covered by order1,072 sq ft
- Area incl. waste1,070 sq ft
- Estimated cost$960.00
Standard sod sizes
| Product | Size | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Piece | 16 × 24 in | 2.67 sq ft |
| Roll | 2 × 5 ft | 10 sq ft |
| Pallet (typical) | — | 400–500 sq ft |
Results explained
- Units to order
- Whole pieces or rolls after waste, rounded up.
- Pallets
- Pallets at the coverage you entered.
- Area covered
- What the rounded-up order actually covers — always ≥ the area with waste.
- Estimated cost
- Pallets × your price per pallet, before delivery and tax.
Frequently asked questions
With 7% waste, order about 1,070 sq ft of coverage: 402 pieces (16 × 24 in) or 107 rolls (2 × 5 ft) — roughly 3 pallets at 450 sq ft per pallet.
At 2.67 sq ft per piece, a 450 sq ft pallet holds about 169 pieces. Pallet coverage varies by farm (400–500 sq ft) — enter your supplier's figure.
5% for a simple rectangle, 7–10% with curves, trees and angled edges. Sod is perishable, so don't over-order by much — but running short mid-job is worse.
All three: pieces and small rolls at garden centres for patches, full pallets from sod farms for lawns. Pallet pricing per square foot is usually far cheaper.
Same day whenever possible — within 24 hours at most. Palletised sod heats up and yellows fast, especially in summer.
Roughly 1,500–3,000 lb depending on moisture and soil thickness — far beyond a car, and at the limit of many half-ton pickups. Delivery is usually worth it.