How Sod Is Measured
Sod is sold by the square foot, but suppliers almost always deliver it on pallets. A standard pallet covers 450 to 500 square feet (about 42 to 46 square metres), though the exact number varies by supplier, grass type, and whether the sod is cut in rolls or slabs. This calculator uses 450 sq ft per pallet — the conservative end of the range, so you never come up short.
The formula behind this calculator is the same one landscape professionals use:
Order the calculated total, not your lawn's bare area. The waste factor accounts for every cut you'll make around beds, walkways, sprinkler heads, and trees. A clean rectangle needs 5%. An irregular yard with curves and obstacles needs 10 to 15%. If you've never laid sod before, go with 10% as your default.
Choosing the Right Waste Factor
- 5% — A simple, clean rectangle with no obstacles. Rare in residential yards.
- 10% — The recommended default. Works for most standard residential lawns.
- 15% — Irregular shapes, curves, multiple garden beds, or first-time installers.
- 20% — Highly complex layouts. Better to have extra than to run short mid-install.
How Much Does Sod Cost?
Sod prices in the United States range from $0.30 to $0.85 per square foot ($3.25 to $9.15 per square metre) for the sod itself, before delivery and installation. The grass variety is the primary driver:
- Bermuda grass — $0.35 to $0.65/sq ft ($3.75 to $7/sq m). Drought-tolerant, common in the South.
- Tall fescue — $0.30 to $0.60/sq ft ($3.25 to $6.50/sq m). Cool-season, good for shade.
- Kentucky bluegrass — $0.40 to $0.70/sq ft ($4.30 to $7.50/sq m). Dense, beautiful, water-hungry.
- Zoysia grass — $0.50 to $0.85/sq ft ($5.40 to $9.15/sq m). Slow-growing, low maintenance once established.
- St. Augustine — $0.45 to $0.80/sq ft ($4.85 to $8.60/sq m). Shade-tolerant, popular in the Gulf South.
Delivery adds $50 to $150 per pallet depending on distance. Ordering three or more pallets? Ask your supplier about a flat delivery rate — many offer one.
When to Order Sod
Sod establishes best when it can develop roots before temperature extremes arrive. In most of the United States, that means early spring or early fall. Avoid laying sod at the peak of summer unless your irrigation is impeccable.
Order 24 to 48 hours before you plan to install. Fresh sod deteriorates quickly — pallets generate internal heat and can yellow within two days. Have your soil prepared, sprinkler system tested, and edging tools ready before the delivery truck arrives.
Measuring Irregular Lawns
If your lawn isn't a rectangle, break it into sections. Measure each section separately, add the areas together, then apply your waste factor to the total. For circles, multiply the radius by itself and then by 3.14 to get the area. When in doubt, round up — a spare roll is far easier to deal with than a patchwork repair job.