Sod Calculator
A sod calculator divides lawn area by 10 sq ft per roll: a 50 × 20 ft lawn needs 100 rolls, or 110 with the 10% waste toggle, about $660 at $6 per roll.
Sod calculator: how many rolls
A sod calculator divides your lawn area by the area of one roll and rounds up to whole rolls. This one uses a 2 ft by 5 ft roll, which is 10 sq ft, and a default price of $6 per roll. A waste toggle adds 10% for cuts and trimming.
Rolls = lawn area ÷ 10, rounded up. With waste on: rolls = area ÷ 10 × 1.10, rounded up. Cost = rolls × price per roll.
Worked examples
Example 1, the default lawn. 50 ft × 20 ft.
- Area: 1,000 sq ft
- Rolls without waste: 1,000 ÷ 10 = 100, cost $600
- Rolls with 10% waste: 100 × 1.10 = 110, cost $660
Example 2, an odd-sized yard. 37 ft × 24 ft.
- Area: 888 sq ft
- Without waste: 88.8, rounded up to 89 rolls, cost $534
- With waste: 97.68, rounded up to 98 rolls, cost $588
Rolls for common lawn sizes
| Lawn area | Rolls | With 10% waste | Cost with waste at $6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 50 | 55 | $330 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 100 | 110 | $660 |
| 2,400 sq ft | 240 | 264 | $1,584 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 500 | 550 | $3,300 |
Large jobs are often sold by the pallet. Ask the grower how many square feet a pallet covers, because pallet sizes vary.
Why add waste
Sod is rectangular, and your lawn rarely is. Every curve, corner, and tree ring means a roll gets cut and part of it is thrown away. You also need extra to patch damaged rolls or to correct a mistake. Ten percent is a reasonable starting point for a simple lawn, and a yard with a lot of curves may use more.
Measuring the lawn
Break the yard into rectangles and add them up. Skip the house, drive, and beds. For a rounded bed edge, measure the longest length and the average width. If the lawn is a circle, use 0.785 × diameter × diameter. Enter the length and the width in feet.
Laying it right
- Prepare the soil first. Rake it smooth and a little below the level of walks and drives so the sod sits flush.
- Start along a straight edge, such as a driveway.
- Stagger the seams like bricks, and press the edges tightly together without stretching the rolls.
- Use a sharp knife to trim around beds and sprinklers.
- Roll or tamp the lawn lightly to make good contact with the soil.
- Water right away and keep the soil damp while roots grow.
Timing
Sod can be laid in most of the growing season, but the best weather is mild and damp. In hot, dry weather it needs more water, and in freezing weather it will not root. Ask the grower which grass type fits your region and your sun.
Common mistakes
- Ordering weeks before you can lay it.
- Counting the house and driveway in the area.
- Skipping the waste toggle on a curvy lawn.
- Laying sod over compacted, weedy soil.
- Letting new sod dry out in the first two weeks.
Counting the cost beyond the rolls
Rolls are only part of the bill. Add the topsoil or compost for the base, a starter fertilizer, delivery, and the hose time to keep it wet. If you rent a sod cutter to remove the old lawn, that is another line item. For the 1,000 sq ft lawn, the 110 rolls at $6 cost $660, and the soil work can easily match that. Total the whole plan before you order, and keep the delivery date flexible in case of rain.
A fresh lawn also needs staying off. Keep foot traffic light for the first couple of weeks, until the roots grab the soil. Tug a corner gently to test. If the roll lifts easily, the roots have not taken hold yet, and it needs more time and water.
Related calculators
If you prefer to seed, the grass seed calculator finds the pounds. The topsoil calculator estimates the soil to level a lawn before laying. For an older lawn, consider the lawn aeration cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much area does one roll of sod cover?
This calculator uses 10 sq ft per roll, which is a 2 ft by 5 ft piece. Some growers sell larger rolls, slabs, or pallets, so ask for the exact size. A lawn of 1,000 sq ft takes 100 rolls of this size.
How soon do I need to install sod after it is delivered?
As soon as possible, ideally the same day. Sod is alive and heats up when stacked, so rolls left in a pile can turn yellow within a day or so. Order for a date when you can lay it, and have the soil ready first.
Should I order extra sod for waste?
Yes. The waste toggle adds 10% for cuts around curves, edges, and mistakes. For the 1,000 sq ft lawn that moves the order from 100 rolls to 110. Complex shapes with many curves may justify more.
Do I need to prep the soil before laying sod?
Yes. Remove old grass and weeds, loosen the soil, level it, and add topsoil or compost if the ground is poor. Rolls laid on hard, uneven soil root poorly. Water the soil lightly before laying.
How is sod different from seeding a lawn?
Sod is a mature turf that you lay like a carpet, so you get a lawn right away. Seed is cheaper but needs weeks to sprout and a longer time to thicken. Sod costs more per square foot. The grass seed calculator covers the seed route.
Estimates only. Verify quantities with your supplier before purchasing.