Sod Calculator

Estimate sod coverage and material cost for rectangular lawn sections. Subtract areas you will not cover and use your supplier’s roll or pallet specifications.

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How to Use the Sod Calculator

Measure each lawn section in feet and add sections without overlapping them. Add excluded rectangles for beds or paths. Set a waste allowance, then optionally enter coverage per roll or pallet and a price per square foot or package.

Formula and Explanation

Net area = Σ(length × width) − excluded area
Sod area = net area × (1 + waste / 100)
Packages = ceil(sod area / package coverage)

Area pricing multiplies the required sod area by price per square foot. Package pricing multiplies the rounded-up package count by the roll or pallet price. Choose the pricing basis your supplier actually uses.

Roll sizes, pallet coverage, waste and installation requirements vary by supplier. This estimates material only, excluding delivery, preparation and labor. Area pricing does not include surplus caused by whole-package purchases. Exclusions cannot exceed gross area.

Worked Example

A 20 × 30 ft lawn plus a 10 × 10 ft section totals 700 sq ft. Exclude a 5 × 10 ft bed to leave 650 sq ft. With 5% waste, order coverage for 682.5 sq ft. At 400 sq ft per pallet, two pallets at $200 each cost $400.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much waste should I allow?

The default 5% is a starting assumption, not a supplier recommendation. Curves, cutting and irregular boundaries may require a different allowance.

Should I enter roll or pallet coverage?

Use the coverage of the package you will buy. The same calculation works for a roll or pallet; do not mix roll coverage with a pallet price.

Can I subtract flower beds?

Yes. Add excluded rectangles measured in feet. Split irregular shapes into smaller approximations and avoid subtracting overlapping exclusions twice.

Why is the package count rounded up?

A fraction of a package may not be purchasable. Rounding up provides at least the requested coverage before installation losses.