🔧 EasyBuildCalc

Free Sod Calculator

Calculate how many rolls and pallets of sod you need for any lawn or yard. Includes topsoil and starter fertilizer estimates.

Sod Calculator

Area

1200 sq ft

total lawn

Rolls Needed

140

9 sq ft/roll

Pallets

3

450 sq ft/pallet

Est. Cost

$700

at $5/roll

Also estimate:

Topsoil (4″ bed): 14.81 cu yd — roughly 208 bags of 0.75 cu ft

Starter fertilizer: 1 bag per 5,000 sq ft = 1 bags

Choosing the Right Grass Type

Grass TypeClimateSunDrought Tolerance
BermudaWarm seasonFull sunHigh
ZoysiaWarm/TransitionalFull sunMedium-High
St. AugustineWarm seasonSun/Part shadeMedium
Tall FescueCool seasonSun/Part shadeMedium
Kentucky BluegrassCool seasonFull sunLow-Medium
Sod installation checklist: Remove existing vegetation → till soil 4–6 inches → add 4 inches of topsoil → grade to slope away from foundation → apply starter fertilizer → lay sod in a brick pattern → roll with sod roller → water immediately and daily for 2 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many rolls of sod do I need for my lawn?+

Measure your lawn area in square feet, add 5–10% for waste, then divide by 9 sq ft per roll. A 1,200 sq ft lawn needs about 133 rolls with 5% waste. For irregular yards, divide the area into rectangles and calculate each separately.

How many square feet does a pallet of sod cover?+

A standard pallet covers 450–504 sq ft depending on roll size and grass variety. At 450 sq ft per pallet, a 2,000 sq ft yard needs about 4.5 pallets — order 5. Most suppliers sell by the pallet for delivery and by individual rolls for pickup.

How deep should topsoil be before laying sod?+

Prepare 4 inches of quality topsoil (loam or sandy loam) before laying sod. Less than 4 inches limits root depth and drought tolerance. Remove weeds, till the existing soil, then spread and grade the new topsoil before laying.

When is the best time to lay sod?+

Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia, St. Augustine) establish best from late spring through summer when soil is above 65°F. Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass) do best in fall when temperatures cool to 50–65°F but before first frost.