How the sod calculator works
The lawn area is the length multiplied by the width. The waste allowance is added to that area, because curves, borders and odd shapes mean pieces have to be cut. The total is then multiplied by 144 to turn square feet into square inches and divided by the area of one piece (its length times its width), rounded up to whole pieces. Pallets are the total square feet divided by the coverage of one pallet, also rounded up.
Example: a 40 × 25 ft lawn is 1,000 ft². Five percent extra is 1,050 ft². A 24 × 16 in piece covers 384 in², or 2.67 ft², so 1,050 × 144 ÷ 384 = 393.75, which means 394 pieces. At 450 ft² per pallet, 1,050 ÷ 450 = 2.33, so order 3 pallets.
Piece size and pallet coverage
The calculator asks for the piece size and the square feet per pallet rather than assuming them, because both vary. A farm may cut sod in 24 × 16 in pieces, 16 × 24 in pieces or other sizes, and a pallet may cover 400, 450 or 500 ft² depending on the grass and how it is stacked. The piece dimensions do not change the square feet ordered, only the count; the pallet coverage changes the pallet count. If the supplier quotes pieces per pallet instead, multiply the piece count by the piece area and enter that as the pallet coverage.
Waste, curves and odd shapes
A straight rectangle usually needs about 5% extra. Curves, diagonal edges, trees and narrow strips need more because each cut leaves an offcut that may not fit anywhere else; 10% is a common allowance for a shaped lawn, and awkward jobs can need more. Sod is living grass, so it should be laid soon after delivery and watered straight away. If the soil underneath needs improving first, the topsoil calculator works out the volume to bring in.
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need for a 1,000 square foot lawn?
At 5% extra that is 1,050 square feet. With 24 × 16 inch pieces at 2.67 square feet each, 1,050 × 144 ÷ 384 = 393.75, so 394 pieces, or 3 pallets at 450 square feet each.
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
A 450 square foot pallet holds about 169 pieces of 24 × 16 inch sod: 450 × 144 ÷ 384 = 168.75, rounded up to 169. Check the supplier’s figure, because piece size and pallet coverage vary.
How much sod for a 20 × 30 ft lawn with 10% extra?
The lawn is 600 square feet, and 10% extra makes 660 square feet. That is 660 × 144 ÷ 384 = 247.5, so 248 pieces, and 660 ÷ 450 = 1.47, so 2 pallets.