How much sod do I need?
Measure the lawn in square feet, add 5–10% for cuts and edges, then divide by the area each piece covers. Sod farms sell by the square foot, the piece or the pallet, so the calculator gives all three.
Pieces = lawn sq ft × (1 + waste %) ÷ sq ft per piece
A 40 × 25 ft back yard is 1,000 sq ft. With 5% waste you need 1,050 sq ft: 394 slabs of 16 × 24 inches, or 2.3 pallets at 450 sq ft each. Use 10% waste for curved beds, trees and narrow strips.
Measure the lawn in simple shapes and add each one. Leave out patios, beds and the house footprint.
How much sod is on a pallet?
A pallet of sod typically covers 400–500 sq ft, depending on the farm, the grass and the piece size. Ask your supplier, then set "Sod per pallet" above. Pieces per pallet:
| Piece | Sq ft each | 400 sq ft pallet | 450 sq ft pallet | 500 sq ft pallet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slab, 16 × 24 in | 2.67 | 150 | 169 | 187 |
| Slab, 18 × 24 in | 3 | 133 | 150 | 167 |
| Roll, 2 × 5 ft | 10 | 40 | 45 | 50 |
A pallet of sod typically weighs a ton or more, so most people have it delivered rather than hauling it.
How much does sod cost?
Sod cost is the sod itself, delivery, and labor to lay it. The sod price depends on the grass, the region and how much you buy. To compare a pallet price with a per-foot price, divide by the pallet's coverage: $250 for 450 sq ft is $0.56 per sq ft.
At the calculator's default prices, $250 a pallet and $100 delivery, the 1,000 sq ft example needs 3 pallets and costs $850 delivered, about $0.85 per sq ft. Change the prices to your supplier's and the totals update.
How much does it cost to lay 1,000 sq ft of sod?
Laying is quick next to the prep. At a typical 150 sq ft per hour per worker, 1,000 sq ft is about 7 labor hours to lay, cut in and roll. Removing old grass, grading and adding topsoil are extra and vary most from job to job. Price the soil with the topsoil calculator: a new lawn typically sits on 4–6 inches.
Types of sod
Warm-season grasses like St. Augustine, Bermuda and Zoysia suit the South and are laid from late spring to summer. Cool-season grasses like tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass suit the North and are best laid in spring or early fall. Zoysia grows slowly at the farm and is usually priced higher than Bermuda or St. Augustine. Some grasses are sold in different piece sizes, so check before you order.
If cost matters more than speed, seeding is cheaper. See the grass seed calculator.
Pricing a sod job
Landscapers usually price sod as material plus markup, delivery at cost, and labor for prep and laying. Switch to contractor mode to set your markup and lay rate, add prep hours, and send it on a landscaping estimate.
Questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Typically 400–500 sq ft. It depends on the farm, the grass and the piece size, so check with your supplier.
How much sod do I need for 1,000 sq ft?
About 1,050–1,100 sq ft with 5–10% waste. That's roughly 394–412 slabs of 16 × 24 inches, or 2.3–2.4 pallets of 450 sq ft.
How do I work out sod cost per square foot?
Divide the pallet price by the square feet on the pallet. A $250 pallet covering 450 sq ft is $0.56 per sq ft.
How much extra sod should I order?
Typically 5% for simple rectangles and 10% for curves, beds and lots of edges.
How soon do I need to lay sod?
Plan to lay it the day it's delivered. Sod heats up and dries out on the pallet, especially in warm weather.