New lawns, lawn replacement, patch jobs

Sod calculator: rolls, pallets, and cost

Measure the lawn, get the sod order — rolls for small jobs, pallets for big ones, with cutting waste and an optional material-cost estimate built in.

Quick answer: A 20 × 15 ft lawn is 300 sq ft — 33.33 sq yd (27.87 sq m). Divide by 10 sq ft per roll → 30 rolls, or 1 typical pallet (~450 sq ft). With 10% overage and $0.60/sq ft sod, the order is 330 sq ft = $198.00.

Lawn dimensions

Rectangle is the default; circle and triangle cover round lawns and corners
Sod cuts and curves waste material — 10% is the safe default

Cost estimate

Your supplier's price for the sod itself, before delivery
Estimate
Lawn area (sq ft)300.00
Square yards (sq yd)33.33
Square meters (sq m)27.87
Sod rolls (10 sq ft each)30
Pallets (typical 450 sq ft)1
Order area — with 10% overage (sq ft)330.00
A standard roll covers 10 sq ft (2 × 5 ft); a typical pallet covers ~450 sq ft — suppliers range 400–500, so confirm the pallet size before you order. The cost line prices the overage-included order area, which is what you actually pay for.

Ballpark, not gospel. Roll and pallet sizes vary by farm and region — confirm the square footage per pallet with your supplier before the truck rolls, especially on big lawns.

Prep: 4–6 inches of topsoil under the sod

Sod is only as good as what it sits on. Spread and grade 4–6 inches of loose topsoil before the sod arrives: till or loosen the existing ground, remove debris and large stones, grade for drainage away from the house, and roll the topsoil lightly so it settles evenly. Sod laid on compacted subsoil or a skim of dirt dries out and dies at the seams.

Size the topsoil order first with the topsoil calculator — our how much topsoil for sod guide walks through the full prep.

Laying tips that decide whether it lives

  • Start along a straight edge — a driveway or sidewalk — and work outward; stagger joints like brickwork so seams don't line up.
  • Butt edges tight. No gaps (they dry out) and no overlaps (they brown). Cut curves with a sharp knife or edger.
  • Roll after laying to press the roots into the soil — good soil contact is what makes sod take.
  • Water within 30 minutes of laying each section, then keep it consistently moist — not soggy — for 2–3 weeks while roots knit in.
  • Stay off it for the first 2–3 weeks, and hold the first mow until the sod resists a gentle tug.

Questions people actually ask

Straight answers, no fluff. Then run your own numbers above.

How many rolls of sod do I need?

Divide your lawn area in square feet by 10 — a standard 2 × 5 ft roll covers 10 sq ft — and round up, then add 5–10% for cutting waste around curves and edges. A 300 sq ft lawn needs exactly 30 rolls; order 33 with waste and you'll finish with a few spares for patching.

How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?

A typical pallet covers about 450 sq ft; farms and suppliers range 400–500 depending on roll size and region. The calculator rounds pallets up, so a 300 sq ft lawn is one pallet. Confirm your supplier's pallet size before ordering — it varies.

How much does sod cost per square foot?

Sod itself runs about $0.30–$0.85 per square foot (typical US range), averaging around $0.60 for common varieties; professionally installed with site prep it lands near $1–$2.50 per sq ft. Type your supplier's price into the calculator above — the cost line prices the overage-included order area, which is what you actually pay for.

How much topsoil do I need under sod?

Plan on 4–6 inches of loose, graded topsoil under the sod — that's the layer the roots establish in, and skimping here is the most common reason new sod fails. Size the topsoil order with our topsoil calculator so the full depth is actually there.

How do you lay sod so it survives?

Lay it within 24 hours of delivery, stagger the joints like brickwork, butt every edge tight with no gaps or overlaps, and roll the lawn to press roots into the soil. Water within 30 minutes of laying, then keep it consistently moist for the first 2–3 weeks while roots knit in.

Sizing the dirt underneath? Use the topsoil calculator and read how much topsoil for sod.