Sod Calculator
Calculates fresh turfgrass sod requirements across standard roll sizes (2 ft × 5 ft = 10 sq ft) and pallets (450 sq ft or 500 sq ft per pallet), starter fertilizer bags, and perimeter border trimming waste.
Formula
Total Area with Waste = (Length × Width) × (1 + Waste %); Pallets = Ceil(Total Area ÷ Pallet Sq Ft)
1. Net Lawn Area = Length × Width 2. Gross Area with Waste = Net Lawn Area × (1 + Waste %) 3. Number of 10-sq-ft Rolls = Ceil(Gross Area ÷ 10) 4. Pallets to Order = Ceil(Gross Area ÷ Pallet Size (450 or 500)) 5. Starter Fertilizer (15 lb bag covers 5,000 sq ft) = Ceil(Gross Area ÷ 5000)
Inputs
- Lawn Area Length
- Lawn Area Width
- Turfgrass Variety
- Pallet Packaging Standard
Worked example
Installing sod rolls on a graded 2,400 sq ft lawn with 8% trimming waste.
Outcome: Net area is 2,400 sq ft. Adding 8% waste gives 2,592 sq ft. Dividing by 500 sq ft per pallet equals 5.18 pallets, rounding up to 6 full pallets (3,000 sq ft total, or 260 rolls of 10 sq ft). Starter fertilizer: 1 bag (15 lb).
How much water does newly installed sod require in the first two weeks?
Newly installed sod needs 1/2 inch of water immediately after installation, followed by daily watering (or twice daily in hot weather) for 10 to 14 days until roots firmly knit into the subsoil (tested by gently tugging a corner).