Sod Calculator
To calculate sod, multiply your lawn length by width for the square footage, then add 5–10% for waste and cuts. Divide by the piece size (about 2.66 sq ft) or by ~450 sq ft per pallet. A 40×25 ft lawn needs about 1,050 sq ft of sod — roughly 3 pallets.
- 1 pallet covers
- ~450 ft²
- Slab size
- 16×24 in (2.66 ft²)
- Waste to add
- 5–10%
Your measurements
Enter your measurements
Fill in the fields to see your estimate.
The formula
Sod (ft²) = Length × Width × (1 + waste %); Pallets = area ÷ 450How to calculate it manually
- 1
Measure the lawn
Multiply length × width. Split irregular yards into rectangles and add them.
- 2
Add waste
5% for square lawns, 10% for curves, slopes, and obstacles.
- 3
Convert to pieces or pallets
Divide by 2.66 ft² for pieces, or by ~450 ft² for pallets.
- 4
Order fresh
Sod is perishable — order to arrive the day you install, and lay it within 24 hours.
Example calculation
A 40 ft × 25 ft lawn: 1,000 ft² × 1.05 = 1,050 ft² ≈ 395 pieces or 3 pallets.
Sod cost by lawn size
Material only, at $0.35–$0.85 per sq ft.
| Lawn size | Area | Sod cost |
|---|---|---|
| 20×20 ft | 400 ft² | $140 – $340 |
| 40×25 ft | 1,000 ft² | $350 – $850 |
| 50×50 ft | 2,500 ft² | $875 – $2,125 |
Common sod estimating mistakes
Ordering too early
Sod dries out fast. Time delivery for install day and keep it shaded and moist until laid.
Skipping soil prep
Sod needs loose, graded, raked soil — ideally with a topsoil layer — to root well.
Forgetting the waste factor
Cuts around beds, walks, and curves waste sod. Add 5–10%.
Frequently asked questions
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Ready to start your landscaping project?
Run the numbers above, then explore related tools and guides to plan every step.