Sod Calculator
Work out how many rolls or pallets of sod you need to cover any lawn area.
The sod calculator returns rolls, slabs or pallets needed for any lawn installation. Sod is sold three ways: small 10 sq ft rolls (2x5 ft) for DIY, large 20 sq ft rolls or slabs for medium jobs, and big rolls (~230 sq ft) for commercial installation by tractor. A standard pallet contains 450 sq ft of sod regardless of roll size - that is how growers ship and price it. Add 5% waste for simple rectangles, 10% for irregular yards with curves or planting beds, and 15% for complex layouts with many curves and obstacles.
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Frequently asked questions
500 sq ft with 5% waste = 525 sq ft. With small 10 sq ft rolls (2x5 ft), you need 53 rolls. With large 20 sq ft rolls or slabs, 27 rolls. Or just over 1 pallet (450 sq ft per pallet). For homeowner installation, small rolls are easiest to handle - large rolls weigh 70+ lbs each when watered.
A standard pallet of sod covers 450 square feet (about 50 square yards). Pallets typically contain 45 small rolls (10 sq ft each) or 22-23 large rolls (20 sq ft each). Weight per pallet ranges from 1500-3000 lbs depending on moisture content. Most pallets need a forklift or delivery service - they are too heavy to move by hand.
Fresh-cut sod weighs about 3-4 lbs per square foot when properly hydrated. A small 10 sq ft roll weighs 30-40 lbs. A large 20 sq ft roll weighs 60-80 lbs. A full pallet (450 sq ft) weighs 1500-1800 lbs. Sod dries out fast - install within 24 hours of delivery and water immediately.
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) install best in early fall (Sept-Oct) or spring (March-April) when soil is moist and temperatures are 60-75°F. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) prefer late spring through summer when soil is warm. Avoid mid-summer in hot climates and avoid freezing temperatures.
Yes - sod laid on poor soil will fail within weeks. Remove all weeds and old turf, till the soil 4-6 inches deep, add 1-2 inches of topsoil amended with compost if your soil is poor, then rake smooth. The new lawn calculator under topsoil shows how much soil to add. Sod must contact moist, prepared soil to root - never lay over dry, compacted ground.