Sod Calculator
How many rolls and pallets of sod a lawn takes — from its length and width, with a cutting allowance on top.
Result
| Area incl. waste | |
| Rolls (10 ft² each) | |
| Pallets (450 ft² each) |
Units & conversions used
Imperial inputs are feet; results are in square feet, rolls and pallets. The roll size used is the common US farm roll of about 10 ft² (typically 2 ft × 5 ft), and the pallet size used is 450 ft². Metric inputs are converted first: 1 m = 3.28084 ft. Note that pallet coverage varies by supplier — see the FAQ before ordering by the pallet.
Formula & source
Rolls = area ÷ 10 ft², rounded up
Pallets = area ÷ 450 ft², rounded up
Source: the 10 ft² (2 × 5 ft) roll and roughly 450 ft² pallet are the common US sod-farm formats this estimate is built on. They are conventions, not standards — farms cut different roll sizes and stack pallets differently, so confirm both numbers with your supplier and re-run the area ÷ their-roll-size division by hand if they differ.
Worked example (you can verify by hand)
Input: 40 ft × 25 ft lawn (1,000 ft²), 5% waste.
- Area with waste: 1,000 × 1.05 = 1,050 ft²
- Rolls: 1,050 ÷ 10 = 105 rolls
- Pallets: 1,050 ÷ 450 = 2.33 → round up to 3 pallets
Expected output: 1,050 ft² of sod — 105 rolls, or 3 pallets.
Limitations — what this cannot do
- Pallet size varies by supplier. Farms commonly stack about 400–500 ft² per pallet; this calculator uses 450 ft². Confirm your supplier's figure — at 400 ft² per pallet the example lawn would need the same 3 pallets, but larger jobs can tip over a pallet boundary.
- It counts turf only. Soil preparation, starter fertilizer, delivery and installation are separate; new lawns typically want 4–6 in of topsoil under the sod (see our topsoil calculator).
- Assumes a rectangular lawn. Irregular shapes should be measured in sections; ordering by measured sections with the waste allowance is more accurate than one big rectangle.
FAQ
How much does sod cost per square foot?
Sod itself commonly runs in the $0.30–$0.90 per square foot range at US sod farms and home centers (2025–2026), depending on grass variety and region — roughly $4–$9 per 10 ft² roll. Delivery is usually extra and often has a minimum, and professionally installed sod commonly totals two to three times the material cost once soil prep and labor are included.
How many rolls of sod are on a pallet?
At 450 ft² per pallet and 10 ft² per roll, that is 45 rolls — but treat it as an estimate: pallet coverage is set by each farm (about 400–500 ft² is the common band, and some rolls are cut larger). Always order against your supplier's stated pallet coverage, not a generic figure.
How long can sod sit on the pallet before laying?
As a rule, lay sod the day it is delivered; in hot weather it can start to cook and yellow in the roll within 24–48 hours. If a delay is unavoidable, keep pallets shaded, unroll a few rolls to release heat, and water lightly. Schedule soil prep first so the sod never waits on you.
Should I order extra sod beyond the waste allowance?
The 5–10% allowance covers cutting waste on typical layouts. Order a few extra rolls beyond that if your lawn has many curves or you are new to laying sod — leftover rolls can patch thin spots, while a shortage mid-job means a second delivery fee and a possible dye-lot mismatch in color.