How the sod calculator works
The area of a rectangle is length x width. A circle is 3.1416 x (diameter / 2) x (diameter / 2), and a triangle is base x height / 2. Take away the area that will not be sodded, add the extra, and divide by the square feet on one pallet: pallets = (area - area not sodded) x (1 + extra) / square feet per pallet, rounded up to a whole pallet. One square yard is 9 square feet. [1]
Worked example
A 40 ft x 25 ft lawn is 1,000 square feet. Adding 5% extra gives 1,050 square feet to buy, which is 116.67 square yards. One pallet holds 450 square feet, so 1,050 / 450 = 2.33, and you order 3 pallets.
How much sod do I need?
To find how much sod you need, measure the lawn in square feet, take away the area of your home and any non-turf landscaping, and add about 5 percent. Then divide by the square feet on one pallet and round up to the next whole pallet. Sod may be bought in square feet or square yards, and one square yard equals 9 square feet. [2]
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
A pallet of sod may range in size but typically contains 450 to 500 square feet. This calculator starts at 450. Ask your grower for the pallet size, and change it under Assumptions and constants. A 450 square foot pallet of sod may weigh as much as a ton, so check that your vehicle and trailer can carry it. [2]
| Pallets | At 450 ft² each | At 500 ft² each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 450 | 500 |
| 2 | 900 | 1,000 |
| 3 | 1,350 | 1,500 |
| 4 | 1,800 | 2,000 |
| 5 | 2,250 | 2,500 |
How to measure a lawn for sod
Use a tape measure or a surveying wheel to find the square feet. Take away the area of your home and non-turf landscaping. Several smartphone applications may also help you measure your lawn. [2] For an odd shape, split the lawn into rectangles, circles and triangles, find the area of each, and add them. Enter one shape in the calculator and put the rest in Other area to add.
Before the sod arrives
Fresh-cut sod has a short shelf life and will not tolerate sitting on a pallet for very long, so finish preparing the site before it is delivered. It is not unusual for sod to have a yellow tinge when kept on a pallet, and that does not mean it has expired. Sod bought in winter lasts longer on the pallet than sod bought in summer. If the pallets will not be laid straight away, put them in the shade and keep them lightly moistened. We found no source for how much sod settles, so this calculator has no settling allowance. The publication says to make sure surface drainage moves away from permanent structures and that there are no low spots that will hold water. [2]
How much does sod cost?
We state no price, because prices change with region, grass type and order size. Ask local growers for a price per square foot. The Mississippi State publication says delivery fees are often a flat rate within a certain radius of the farm, with a mileage rate beyond that, and that surcharges for pallets and big roll cores are common. [2] Type your price into the optional box above to see the total. The site does not store the prices you type.
Common mistakes and limits
- Forgetting to take away the house, beds and patio. Enter them in Area not to be sodded.
- Ordering exactly the area. The starting extra is 5 percent, about what the Mississippi State publication suggests. [2]
- Letting pallets sit. Fresh-cut sod has a short shelf life. [2]
- Assuming every pallet is the same size. A pallet may range in size, so ask your grower. [2]
- What this tool does not cover: soil preparation, grass type, watering and laying technique.
Square feet to square yards
Sod may be bought in square feet or square yards. One square yard is 9 square feet. [2]
| Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|
| 100 | 11.11 |
| 500 | 55.56 |
| 1,000 | 111.11 |
| 2,000 | 222.22 |
| 5,000 | 555.56 |
Common sizes
Real lawns, with no area taken away. The sizes are examples to show the sum.
| Lawn | Square feet | To buy (ft²) | Pallets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small yard, 20 x 20 ft | 400 | 420 | 1 |
| Front lawn, 30 x 40 ft | 1,200 | 1,260 | 3 |
| Medium lawn, 50 x 60 ft | 3,000 | 3,150 | 7 |
| Large lawn, 80 x 100 ft | 8,000 | 8,400 | 19 |
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets of sod do I need?
Divide the sod to buy, in square feet, by the square feet on one pallet, and round up. A pallet may range in size but typically contains 450 to 500 square feet. For a 1,000 square foot lawn plus 5 percent, 1,050 / 450 = 2.33, so order 3 pallets. [2]
How much extra sod should I order?
Mississippi State University Extension says it is always a good idea to buy approximately 5 percent more sod than you think you will need. This calculator starts at 5 percent, and you can change it in the Extra to order box. [2]
How long can sod sit before it is laid?
Not long. Fresh-cut sod has a short shelf life and will not tolerate sitting on a pallet for very long, so finish preparing the site before it is delivered. Sod bought in winter lasts longer on the pallet than sod bought in summer. [2]
How do I measure an irregular lawn for sod?
Use a tape measure or a surveying wheel to find the square feet, and subtract the area of your home and non-turf landscaping. Split an odd shape into rectangles, circles and triangles, find the area of each, and add them: enter one shape, then put the rest in Other area to add. [2]
Does sod come in rolls?
Sod may be bought in square feet or square yards, on pallets, or as big rolls, but big rolls need special equipment to lay. We found no standard roll size, so ask your grower and enter it under Rolls and cost (optional) to count rolls. [2]
Sources and references
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8: Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically (SP 811, accessed November 2026). Used for: the square yard as 9 square feet.
- Mississippi State University Extension Service. Sod Installation and Maintenance (Publication P2951, 2025, accessed November 2026). Used for: How to figure the area, the 5 percent extra, the 450 to 500 square foot pallet and how fresh sod keeps.
How we use sources: methodology.
Estimates only. Confirm quantities with your supplier. See the disclaimer. Found a wrong result? Report an error.