Landscape & Groundwork
Sod Calculator
Estimate lawn area and the rolls or pallets of sod to order.
Enter your measurements
Results update as you type.
About this calculator
Enter your lawn dimensions or a known area, subtract excluded areas (beds, patios), add an allowance, and enter your supplier's coverage per roll or pallet. Purchased area and required area are always shown separately.
How to measure
- Split curved or L-shaped lawns into rectangles and add each as a bed.
- Exclude beds, paths and paved areas with the excluded-area field, not by shrinking measurements.
- Ask the supplier for the exact coverage of one roll or pallet before ordering.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the lawn, then subtract beds and hard surfaces as excluded area.
- Add an allowance for cuts and edges.
- Enter the supplier's coverage per roll or pallet — it varies by supplier.
- Calculate; the result shows net area, order area and whole units to buy.
Formula
Net area = gross area − excluded area
Order area = net area × (1 + allowance ÷ 100)
Rolls/pallets = ⌈order area ÷ coverage per unit⌉
Assumptions
- Pallet and roll coverage is supplier-specific; no default is assumed.
- The allowance is applied once to the area, not per unit.
- An exclusion larger than the gross area is rejected.
Coverage conversion reference
| Area | Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 100 ft² | 9.290304 m² |
| 1,000 ft² | 92.90304 m² |
| 1 acre | 43,560 ft² |
Exact unit conversions. Roll and pallet coverage still come from the product label.
Common mistakes
- Counting excluded or overlapping areas twice.
- Using nominal dimensions where actual installed dimensions or usable coverage are needed.
- Treating whole purchase quantities as an optimized cutting or installation plan.
Worked example
Try it: press “Load example” above the form.
1000 ft² with 5% extra is 1050 ft²; at 450 ft² per pallet, order 3 pallets (1350 ft² purchased).
Limitations
Pallet coverage is supplier-specific; purchased area and required area are shown separately so you can see the margin.
Frequently asked questions
Why does sod round up to whole rolls or pallets?
You cannot normally buy a fraction of the selected package. The calculator applies your allowance and then rounds the purchase quantity up using the coverage per roll and pallet you enter.
Does it account for an irregular lawn?
Break the lawn into measurable sections and subtract excluded areas before ordering. A quantity allowance can cover some trimming, but it is not a detailed cutting layout.
What does the worked example show?
1000 ft² with 5% extra is 1050 ft²; at 450 ft² per pallet, order 3 pallets (1350 ft² purchased).
Which assumptions should I check before using the result?
Pallet coverage is supplier-specific; purchased area and required area are shown separately so you can see the margin.
Sources
Sources explain the methods and any named product presets. Check your product label where coverage, yield or density differs.
Calculation documentation · Updated 2026-11-08 · Version 1.6.4. Estimates are planning aids. Confirm quantities, coverage and prices with your supplier before purchasing. Found an error? Report it.
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