How Much Sod Do I Need?
The amount of sod you need starts with the area of the lawn. For a rectangular area, multiply the length by the width to find the square footage. If you already know the total lawn area, you can enter that directly instead.
For lawns with patios, sidewalks, driveways, garden beds, sheds, pools, or other spaces that will not be covered with sod, subtract those areas before determining how much sod to purchase.
Why Add Extra Sod?
Buying exactly the calculated square footage may not always leave enough material to finish the job. Sod often needs to be cut and trimmed around curves, landscaping, walkways, trees, and other obstacles. Some pieces may also be damaged or unusable.
The calculator starts with a 5% extra allowance, but you can change that percentage or enter 0 if you don't want any additional material included.
Sod Pieces, Rolls, and Pallets
Sod is sold in different sizes depending on the grower, supplier, region, and type of sod. There is no single piece, roll, or pallet size that applies everywhere.
For that reason, use the coverage information supplied by the company where you plan to buy the sod. If a supplier tells you how many square feet or square meters are covered by one piece, roll, or pallet, enter that coverage into the calculator to estimate how many whole units you'll need.
Measuring an Irregular Lawn
If your lawn isn't a simple rectangle, divide it into several smaller sections that are easier to measure. Calculate the area of each section and add them together to get an approximate total lawn area.
You can then subtract areas that won't receive sod and enter the remaining total into the calculator. Irregular edges and curved areas can make exact measurements difficult, which is another reason an extra allowance may be useful.
Measure Before Ordering
Small measuring errors can become significant over a large lawn. Whenever possible, measure the actual area rather than relying on an old property drawing or a rough estimate.
Also check the supplier's stated coverage before ordering. Actual sod requirements can vary with the shape of the lawn, the way pieces are cut and fitted, and conditions at the installation site.
What This Calculator Estimates
The Sod Calculator estimates the amount of coverage required for your project and can convert the result into several common area measurements. It can also estimate whole pieces, rolls, or pallets when you provide their coverage.
It does not determine which variety of sod is best for your lawn or recommend a particular installation method.