Skip to content
CostToUpgrade
Landscaping

Sod Calculator

Find out how much sod to order for a new lawn or repair area. Enter the area dimensions and choose pallets or rolls to get the square footage, units to order, and an estimated cost.

Reviewed by The CostToUpgrade Estimating Desk Last reviewed How we estimate

Your project

Area

Sod is cut to fit, so waste is usually low — 5% covers odd corners and curves.

Material
Pricing

Sod typically runs $0.35–$0.85 per ft² delivered — about $160–$380 per pallet.

Estimate

1,260ft²

Sod needed · Includes waste allowance

Pallets / rolls to order
3units
Estimated material cost
$555.00

Estimates are guidance only and exclude tax, labor, and site conditions unless stated. Confirm with a local pro.

How it's calculated

No black boxes — here is the exact math behind your estimate, so you can check it or adapt it for your own quote.

  1. 1Area (ft²) = length × width
  2. 2Sod with waste = area × (1 + waste% ÷ 100)
  3. 3Pallets/rolls = ⌈ sod with waste ÷ coverage per pallet or roll ⌉
  4. 4Cost = pallets/rolls × price per pallet or roll

Worked example

A 40 ft × 30 ft lawn area sodded with standard pallets.

Inputs

Lawn length
40 ft
Lawn width
30 ft
Waste allowance
5 %
Sod format
450
Price per pallet/roll
185 $

Result

Sod needed
1,260 ft²
Pallets / rolls to order
3 units
Estimated material cost
$555.00

Tools & materials for this project

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Get real quotes

Compare local pros for sod

An estimate gets you a budget. A few competing quotes get you the real price. Tell us about the job and we'll help you find vetted contractors nearby.

Get matched

Sod cost by state

The calculator does the quantity math exactly. What it can't know is what a fair unit price looks like where you live — sod runs 61% more in the priciest US market than the cheapest.

Sod cost in all 50 states + DC US average $185 per pallet delivered · regional averages, full ranked table, and typical project totals.

Frequently asked questions

How much sod do I need for my yard?
Multiply length × width to get square footage, then add about 5% for waste from curves and trimming. A 40×30 ft yard (1,200 ft²) needs roughly 1,260 ft² of sod, or about 3 standard pallets.
How much area does a pallet of sod cover?
Most sod pallets cover approximately 450–500 square feet, though it varies by grower and grass species. Individual rolls typically cover about 10 square feet each, which is useful for patching small areas.
When is the best time to lay sod?
Early fall or spring, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is more reliable, gives sod the best chance to root before summer heat or winter cold stresses it.