Sod Calculator
To sod a 20 × 30 ft lawn (600 sq ft) you need about 630 sq ft of coverage after a 5% waste allowance for a rectangular lawn — 63 rolls of sod at 10 sq ft each.
Reviewed by The ponderloop teamUpdated 2026-07-15How we calculate
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How this number is calculated
0 sq ft (no waste added) ÷ 10 sq ft per roll = 0 rolls
Shopping list
- Lawn roller
- Sod cutter / edging spade
- Starter fertilizer for new sod
- Oscillating lawn sprinkler
- Bow rake
- Soil rototiller
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Methodology & assumptions
Lawn area is calculated as length × width in feet, minus any deductions you enter for beds, walkways, or other non-sod areas. A waste percentage is added — 5% for a simple rectangular lawn, 10% for a curved or irregular one, since curved edges create more unusable trim — and the result is divided by the coverage per roll (10 sq ft for a standard 2 x 5 ft slab) and rounded up to the next whole roll.
- Turfgrass Producers International — sod installation and coverage guidelines
- University extension turfgrass establishment guides (e.g., Penn State Extension, University of Georgia Extension)
- Typical US sod pricing and pallet coverage ranges, 2026
Worked examples
| Room | Result |
|---|---|
| 20 × 30 ft rectangular lawn, 5% waste | 600 sq ft + 5% waste ≈ 630 sq ft → 63 rolls |
| 25 × 40 ft curved/irregular lawn, 10% waste | 1,000 sq ft + 10% waste ≈ 1,100 sq ft → 110 rolls |
| 10 × 15 ft small rectangular yard, 5% waste | 150 sq ft + 5% waste ≈ 157.5 sq ft → 16 rolls |
Frequently asked questions
- How many rolls of sod do I need for my lawn?
- Multiply the lawn length by width in feet to get the square footage, subtract any beds or walkways you will not be sodding, then add 5% waste for a rectangular lawn or 10% for a curved/irregular one. Divide by the coverage per roll (10 sq ft for a standard 2 x 5 ft slab) and round up.
- How many rolls of sod are in a pallet?
- A standard pallet holds about 450-500 sq ft of sod, which works out to roughly 45-50 rolls at 10 sq ft each. Sod is perishable and heavy, so it is delivered by the pallet rather than by individual roll — order the number of pallets that covers your total roll count, not exact rolls.
- Is sod cheaper than grass seed?
- Seed is almost always cheaper upfront — often a fraction of the cost per sq ft compared to sod. Sod costs more because it is grown, harvested, and delivered as a finished product, but it gives you an instant, erosion-resistant lawn instead of the 2-3 weeks of germination and vulnerable seedling growth that seed requires.
- When is the best time to lay sod?
- Early fall or spring is best for most climates, when temperatures are mild and rainfall is more reliable, though sod can technically be laid any time the ground is not frozen. Avoid laying sod in peak summer heat or drought without a reliable irrigation plan, since fresh sod needs consistent watering to root.
- How long until I can walk on new sod?
- Light foot traffic is usually fine after about 2-3 weeks, once the roots have knitted into the soil below — you can test this by gently tugging a corner of a piece to see if it resists lifting. Hold off on mowing until the sod has rooted (typically 2-3 weeks) and avoid heavy use like furniture or play equipment for at least a month.