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This sod calculator works out how many rolls and pallets of sod (turf) you need to lay a new lawn. Enter the lawn size, a small allowance for cuts, and the roll and pallet sizes from your supplier to get an exact order.
How to Use the Sod Calculator
- Measure the length and width of the lawn. Split curved or irregular lawns into rectangles.
- Add 5–10% extra for cutting around beds, paths and curves.
- Enter the area of one roll from your supplier; in the US a common roll is 2 × 5 ft (10 sq ft), and in the UK a roll is often 1 m².
- Enter the area of one pallet; US pallets typically hold about 400–500 sq ft.
Sod Formulas
Rolls = Lawn area × (1 + Waste %) ÷ Roll area
Pallets = Lawn area × (1 + Waste %) ÷ Pallet area
Worked Example
A lawn 50 × 20 ft is 1,000 sq ft. With 5% extra that is 1,050 sq ft. With 10 sq ft rolls you need 105 rolls. With 450 sq ft pallets, that is 2 full pallets plus 15 loose rolls, or 3 pallets.
Common Sod Sizes
| Item | Typical size |
|---|---|
| US small roll / slab | 2 × 5 ft (10 sq ft) or 16 × 24 in (2.67 sq ft) |
| US big roll | Up to 4 × 100 ft for large jobs |
| US pallet | About 400–500 sq ft |
| UK turf roll | About 1 m² |
Laying Sod Successfully
- Kill and remove weeds, then loosen the top 4–6 inches of soil.
- Add 2–4 inches of topsoil if needed; see the topsoil calculator.
- Rake level and lightly roll the soil before laying.
- Lay sod within 24 hours of delivery, staggering the joints like bricks.
- Water deeply right after laying and keep it moist for the first two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rolls of sod are on a pallet?
It depends on the roll size. A 450 sq ft pallet holds 45 rolls of 10 sq ft, or about 168 slabs of 16 × 24 inches.
How much sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
About 1,050 square feet with 5% extra, which is 105 rolls of 10 sq ft or two to three pallets.
How much extra sod should I order?
Order 5% extra for simple rectangles and up to 10% for curved beds and irregular edges.
How long can sod sit on the pallet?
Ideally lay it the same day. In hot weather, sod on a pallet can heat up and die within a day or two.
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