How Much Sod Do You Need?
Enter your lawn dimensions to get rolls and pallets to order — with optional topsoil and fertilizer estimates.
Last updated: May 30, 2026
Lawn Size (ft)
Sod Order Summary
165
rolls to order
Pallets Needed4 pallets
Lawn Area1500 sq ft (166.67 sq yd)
Base Rolls150 rolls
Extra for Waste+15 rolls (10%)
Soil Prep
Topsoil (2" layer)9.26 cu yd
Starter Fertilizer1 bag
1500 sq ft · Standard Roll (2' × 5') · 10% waste included
Worked Examples
Small Front Yard — 20×30 ft
Standard 2'×5' rolls (10 sq ft each) · 10% waste
- Area: 20 × 30 = 600 sq ft
- Base rolls: 600 ÷ 10 = 60 rolls
- +10% waste: ceil(60 × 1.10) = 66 rolls to order
- Pallets: 66 ÷ 50 = 2 pallets
Standard Backyard — 50×30 ft
Standard 2'×5' rolls · 10% waste
- Area: 50 × 30 = 1,500 sq ft
- Base rolls: 1,500 ÷ 10 = 150 rolls
- +10% waste: ceil(150 × 1.10) = 165 rolls to order
- Pallets: 165 ÷ 50 = 4 pallets
Large Yard — 80×50 ft
Standard 2'×5' rolls · 10% waste
- Area: 80 × 50 = 4,000 sq ft
- Base rolls: 4,000 ÷ 10 = 400 rolls
- +10% waste: ceil(400 × 1.10) = 440 rolls to order
- Pallets: 440 ÷ 50 = 9 pallets
Sod Roll Size Guide
| Roll Type | Size | Coverage | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Roll | 2' × 5' | 10 sq ft | DIY residential — one person can carry |
| Big Roll | 42" × 105' | 367.5 sq ft | Contractor / large areas — requires equipment |
| Pallet | 50 standard rolls | 450–500 sq ft | Most common delivery unit — order by pallet |
Waste Factor Guide
| Situation | Waste | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Simple rectangle lawn | 10% | Edge cuts at borders and sidewalks |
| Curved edges or obstacles | 15% | Trees, flower beds, curved borders require more cuts |
| Lawn repair / patching | 15% | Fitting odd-shaped damaged areas wastes more sod |
Always order at least one extra roll — you can't add sod from a different batch and expect it to match perfectly.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 50×30 ft lawn is 1,500 sq ft. Standard 2'×5' rolls cover 10 sq ft each, so you need 150 base rolls. Add 10% for cuts and waste: 165 rolls total, or 4 pallets (50 rolls/pallet). Enter your dimensions above for an exact count.
A standard pallet holds 50 rolls of 2'×5' sod, covering about 450–500 sq ft. Pallets are the most common delivery unit — your supplier will quote delivery by the pallet. This calculator shows both roll count and pallet count so you can order either way.
Add 10% for a simple rectangular lawn. Go up to 15% for lawns with curves, obstacles (trees, flower beds), or repair patches where you're fitting odd shapes. It's better to order one extra roll than run short mid-installation.
For a rectangle, measure length × width. For irregular shapes, break the lawn into rectangles, measure each, and add them. Subtract permanent features like patios, driveways, and large trees. Enter the total area in the Irregular Area field if needed.
Standard rolls (2'×5', 10 sq ft) are hand-carried by one person — common for residential DIY installs. Big rolls (42"×105', ~367 sq ft) require a machine to lay and are used by contractors for large areas. Choose Standard for DIY; use Big Roll if your sod supplier delivers with equipment.
For a new lawn, add 2 inches of topsoil to improve drainage and root growth. A 2-inch layer over 1,500 sq ft needs about 9.3 cubic yards. Enable soil prep in Advanced settings and the calculator will compute this for you.