Gravel Calculator
Base and top dressing for garden paths next to the lawn.
New lawn
How much sod do I need?
Measure the lawn length and width, add your cutting allowance, and the sod calculator returns rolls and pallets. A 1,000 sq ft lawn with the standard 5% waste needs about 105 sod rolls (10 sq ft each) or 2–3 pallets depending on your supplier.
Sod is sold by the roll (about 10 sq ft) and by the pallet (typically 400–500 sq ft), so the order is easy once the area is right. Add each lawn shape as its own region, apply about 5% cutting waste on clean rectangles — and 10–15% around trees, curves and slopes — and the calculator turns your total into rolls and pallets, so you can call the sod farm with a real quantity instead of a guess.
Frequently asked questions
How many pallets of sod do I need for 1,000 sq ft?
With 5% waste you need 1,050 sq ft of sod. At the common 450 sq ft per pallet that is 2.3 pallets — order 3. Ask your supplier for their exact pallet coverage, which usually ranges from 400 to 500 sq ft.
How many rolls of sod do I need for a 10×10 area?
A 10 × 10 ft area is 100 sq ft. Add 10% waste for cutting = 110 sq ft, which is 11 rolls at 10 sq ft per roll.
Sod or grass seed — which should I pick?
Sod gives an instant, weed-free lawn that can handle light use in 2–3 weeks but costs more per square foot. Seeding is far cheaper for large lawns, yet needs 6–8 weeks of careful watering before real use.
Do I measure a sloped yard along the slope or flat?
For sod you are covering the actual ground surface, so a steep slope needs slightly more than its flat footprint. Measure the slope distance for the length that runs up the hill, and add a bigger waste allowance — 10–15%.
What time of year is best for laying sod?
Lay cool-season grasses in early fall or spring, and warm-season grasses in late spring to early summer, when temperatures help roots knit into the soil fast. Avoid mid-summer heat and frozen ground — fresh sod can dry out or heave before it roots.
How do I prepare the ground before laying sod?
Remove the old turf and debris, till and level the soil, mix in compost or topsoil to a depth of 4–6 inches, then rake smooth and settle it with one good watering. Lay the sod within a day or two of delivery so the rolls stay fresh.
Sod Calculator
Imperial
ft
ft
sq ft
Common pallets hold 400–500 sq ft.
Cutting / waste allowance
Enter your lawn size to see the result.
–
sq ft
Suppliers quote rolls, pallets or square footage — this tool shows all three.
How it works
How to use this sod calculator
1Measure the lawn area
Split your lawn into rectangles and add their areas — or measure the length and width if it's roughly rectangular. For sloped ground, measure the horizontal footprint, not the slope surface.
- Subtract the footprint of flower beds, trees and patios.
- Curvy borders: trace them and estimate as rectangles plus a corner.
- If in doubt, round area measurements up.
2Pick the allowance
Sod shrinks slightly on the pallet and needs trimming at edges, beds and curves. Order extra so you never stop mid-lawn.
- 5%: clean rectangular lawn.
- 10%: curves, trees and flower beds to cut around.
- 15%: irregular multi-lobed yards.
3Know how your supplier sells it
Some sell rolls (usually 10 sq ft), some sell by the pallet (400–500 sq ft), and sod farms quote square footage. Check with the farm, then adjust the "pallet coverage" box to match — the calculator updates the pallet estimate immediately.
The math
Sod quantity formula
Sod needed = lawn area × (1 + waste) • Rolls = sod needed ÷ roll size • Pallets = sod needed ÷ pallet coverage
Worked example — 40 × 25 ft lawn (1,000 sq ft), 5% waste, 10 sq ft rolls, 450 sq ft pallets:
1,000 × 1.05 = 1,050 sq ft → 105 rolls → 1,050 ÷ 450 = 2.3 → 3 pallets.
1,000 × 1.05 = 1,050 sq ft → 105 rolls → 1,050 ÷ 450 = 2.3 → 3 pallets.
Ordering guide
What to check before you order sod
Sod is a living product — it should be laid within 24 hours of delivery and ideally the same day. A full pallet can weigh 1,500–2,500 lb, so confirm your drop-off location and any obstacle (driveway, fence gates) with the farm.
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