Sod Calculator
Calculate how many sod rolls and pallets you need, plus installation cost, topsoil prep, and sod vs seed cost comparison.
ft
ft
%
Area (sq ft)
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Sod Rolls Needed (2×5 ft) —
Pallets Needed (500 sq ft) —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
ft
ft
%
Area (sq ft)
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Sod Rolls —
Pallets —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾
sq ft
in
$
$
hrs
$
Soil Prep
Topsoil Needed —
Starter Fertilizer Bags (50lb) —
Sod vs Seed Cost
Sod Material Cost —
Seed Option Cost —
Labor & Total
Estimated Labor Hours —
Labor Cost —
Total Project Cost —
Care Guide
Watering Schedule —
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the length and width of your lawn area in feet.
- Set a waste factor (5% for simple shapes, 8–10% for irregular areas).
- View sod rolls (2×5 ft standard) and pallets needed.
- Use the Irregular Area tab to combine multiple sections.
- Use the Cost Estimate tab to budget material and labor.
- The Professional tier adds topsoil prep volume, fertilizer, labor hours, and sod vs seed cost comparison.
Formula
Area (sq ft) = Length × Width × (1 + Waste%/100)
Sod Rolls = ⌈Area ÷ 10⌉ (standard 2×5 ft roll)
Pallets = Area ÷ 500 sq ft
Example
Example: 40 ft × 25 ft lawn with 5% waste = 1,050 sq ft → 105 rolls → 2.1 pallets. At $0.55/sq ft + $0.50/sq ft labor = $1,102 total cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
- A standard sod roll is 2 feet wide × 5 feet long = 10 square feet. Some rolls come in 16"×24" pieces (2.67 sq ft). Always confirm your supplier's roll size.
- A standard pallet covers approximately 450–500 square feet. This calculator uses 500 sq ft per pallet as the standard.
- Yes. Add 5% for simple rectangular areas, 8–10% for irregular shapes, and up to 15% for areas with many curves and obstacles.
- Sod provides instant turf and prevents erosion immediately. Seed is much cheaper ($0.05–$0.15/sq ft vs $0.35–$0.80/sq ft for sod) but takes 3–8 weeks to germinate and establish.
- Till 4–6 inches of soil, add topsoil if needed, apply starter fertilizer, level and grade away from structures, then lay sod immediately. Water within 30 minutes of installation.