Sod Calculator

Measure the lawn in square feet and add 5 to 10% for cuts. A 30 × 40 ft lawn is 1,200 square feet; with 5% extra you order 1,260 square feet, which is 3 pallets of 450 sq ft.

Updated October 15, 2026 · How we calculate

1. Measure the lawn

Length

Width

Units

For an L-shape or an odd yard, split it into rectangles, circles and triangles. We add them up.

2. Extra for cuts and edges

University extension advice ranges from 5% to 10% extra.

Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W

3. Piece and pallet size

Sizes vary by sod farm. Check with yours and pick “Other size” if it differs.

One pallet covers

sq ft

A pallet typically covers 450 to 500 square feet.

Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W

4. Price(optional)

Your local price

Prices vary a lot by area. Check with your supplier or the store shelf, then type it here.

Worked example

A 30 × 40 ft lawn, 16 × 24 inch slabs, pallets of 450 square feet, 5% extra:

Area: 30 × 40 = 1,200 square feet
Plus 5%: 1,200 × 1.05 = 1,260 square feet
Pieces: 1,260 ÷ 2.667 = 472.5, so 473 slabs
Pallets: 1,260 ÷ 450 = 2.8, so 3 pallets

How to choose and how deep

How much extra

Mississippi State Extension suggests about 5% more sod than the measured area; Purdue Extension suggests about 10%. Curved beds and lots of edges push you toward the higher number.

Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W

Pallets

A pallet typically covers 450 to 500 square feet. Ask your supplier exactly what theirs covers and type it into the calculator.

Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W

Soil first

New sod needs at least 4 inches of soil underneath, and 6 inches or more is better. The topsoil calculator works out how much to bring in.

Source: New Mexico State University, Guide H-509

Quick reference

Lawn size	With 5% extra	Pallets of 450 sq ft	16 × 24 in slabs
500 sq ft	525 sq ft	2	197
1,000 sq ft	1,050 sq ft	3	394
2,000 sq ft	2,100 sq ft	5	788
5,000 sq ft	5,250 sq ft	12	1,969

Questions people ask

How much extra sod should I order?

University extension advice ranges from about 5% to 10% more than the measured area.

Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W

How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?

Typically 450 to 500 square feet. Ask your supplier: it varies by farm.

Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W

How many square feet does a piece of sod cover?

A 16 × 24 inch slab covers 2.67 square feet and a 2 × 5 foot roll covers 10. Farms cut different sizes, so check yours.

How many square feet are in a square yard?

Nine. Some farms price sod by the square yard, so divide square feet by 9 to compare.