Sod Calculator
Free sod calculator. Enter your lawn size to get square feet of sod, pallets, slabs or rolls, topsoil and starter fertilizer, plus estimated cost.
Usually 400–500 sq ft; ask your sod farm
- Pallets
- 5
- 4.67 exact
- Slabs
- 788
- Sod to order
- 2,100 sq ft
- lawn 2,000 sq ft
- Sod cost
- $1,125
Soil prep
| Topsoil for a 1 in layerOptional, for poor or compacted soil | 6.2 yd³ |
| Starter fertilizerAbout 10 lb per 1,000 sq ft; follow the bag | 20 lb |
Price
$1,125
Sod only, before delivery and installation
Default prices are typical U.S. retail figures, reviewed November 2026. Enter your supplier's prices for an exact total.
Sod is sold by the square foot, by the pallet and as slabs or rolls. A pallet usually covers 400 to 500 square feet, but it varies by farm and grass type, so the pallet size is editable.
Enter the lawn size and the calculator gives you the square feet to order with a small allowance for edges, the number of pallets and pieces, and the topsoil and starter fertilizer for preparing the soil.
How to use the sod calculator
- Measure each lawn area in feet and multiply length × width.
- Add the areas together, leaving out beds, patios and paths.
- Add about 5% for cutting around edges and curves.
- Divide by the square feet per pallet and round up.
Sod to order = area × 1.05. Pallets = sod to order ÷ sq ft per pallet. A 16 × 24 in slab covers 2.67 sq ft; a 2 × 5 ft roll covers 10 sq ft.
Sod needed by lawn size
With 5% extra, 450 sq ft pallets and 16 × 24 in slabs.
| Lawn | Pallets | Slabs |
|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 2 | 197 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 | 394 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 6 | 985 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 12 | 1,969 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 24 | 3,938 |
Tips before you buy
- Order sod for delivery the day you will lay it; it can dry out or heat up on the pallet within a day or two.
- Prepare and rake the soil before delivery, and water the soil lightly just before laying.
- Stagger the joints like brickwork and butt the pieces tightly together.
- Water deeply every day for the first two weeks, then taper off.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets of sod do I need?
Divide your lawn area plus 5% by the square feet per pallet. For a 2,500 square foot lawn and 450 square foot pallets, that's 6 pallets.
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
Usually 400 to 500 square feet, depending on the farm and the grass. Some farms sell smaller pallets of 150 to 200 square feet.
How many square feet are in a piece of sod?
A standard 16 × 24 inch slab covers 2.67 square feet. Rolls are often 2 × 5 feet (10 square feet), and big rolls for large jobs can cover several hundred square feet.
Do I need topsoil before laying sod?
Not always. If the existing soil is loose and healthy, rake it smooth. If it's compacted, sandy or clay, spread 1 to 2 inches of topsoil first; at 1 inch that's about 3 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet.