PROJECT SUMMARY
Sod project summary
Lawn area600 sq ft
- Sod ordered
- 648 sq ft (+8%)
- Pieces
- ≈ 236
- Pallets
- 2
- Topsoil
- Existing soil
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Build time
- ½–1 day
- Estimated materials
- $285–$386
Sod Calculator
Square feet, pieces, pallets and cost of sod for a new lawn.
Configure
Sod calculator
Area shape
Advanced optionsfine-tune the details…
Estimates are planning aids, not a professional quote. Double-check quantities and product coverage — and any local code or permit requirements — before you buy.
⚠ Lay sod the same day it's delivered — it's a live plant and starts to yellow and rot on the pallet within a day or two, especially in heat. Have the ground fully prepped before it arrives.
⚠ Water deeply right after laying and keep the new sod consistently moist for the first 2–3 weeks while it roots, then taper to a normal schedule.
Cost breakdown
Material only · national-average rates
| Soil & Fill | $285–$386 |
| Total | $285–$386 |
Excludes tools, delivery, tax and permit fees. Labor not included — this is a DIY materials estimate.
Shopping list
Every item · grouped by store sectionThese are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the calculator recommends — the shopping list comes from your dimensions, not from what pays.
Soil & Fill
- 648× sq ftSod — ≈ 236 pieces or 2 pallets (~450 sq ft) · incl. 8% waste
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- 2× bagsStarter fertilizer — high-phosphorus, raked in before the sod
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Tools
✓ required · ○ helpful
- Sod cutter or tiller (rental) — removing old turf / prepping soil
- Steel landscape rake — fine-grading the seedbed
- Lawn / sod roller (rental) — rolling out air gaps
- Sharp knife or edger — trimming pieces to fit
- Wheelbarrow
- Sprinkler / hose — immediate, deep watering
Project notes
- Sod is sold by the square foot, the piece (about 2.75 sq ft each), and the pallet (around 450 sq ft). The calculator gives all three plus a waste allowance for the cuts around edges and curves.
- Order a little extra — you'll trim a lot around beds, walks and curves, and small offcuts rarely tile together cleanly. Eight to ten percent over is a safe default.
- Prep is everything: kill or strip the old turf, loosen and grade the soil, rake it smooth, and water it lightly so the new roots meet moist soil. Lay the first row against a straight edge and stagger the seams like bricks.
- Lay sod the day it arrives, roll it to remove air pockets, then water deeply and keep it moist for the first few weeks. New sod can't tolerate drying out while it roots.
About this calculator
How to estimate a sod
Enter the size of the area you're sodding and the Sod Calculator tells you how much to order three ways — square feet, individual pieces, and pallets — with a waste allowance built in for all the trimming around edges and curves. It also sizes the topsoil and starter fertilizer for a proper bed, plus a cost estimate.
Choose a rectangular or round/oval area and it adjusts the math. Sod is a live product, so the golden rule is to prep the ground first and lay it the same day it's delivered.
Step by step
How to lay sod
A step-by-step walkthrough to go with your plan above. Follow the product instructions and any local code or permit requirements as you work.
- 1
Measure and order
Measure the area and use the calculator to get square feet, pieces and pallets, plus a waste allowance for trimming. Schedule delivery for the day you'll lay it, not before.
- 2
Clear the old turf
Strip or kill the existing grass and weeds with a sod cutter or by spraying ahead of time. Starting on clean, bare soil is what lets the new roots take hold.
- 3
Prep and grade the soil
Loosen the top few inches, work in topsoil and starter fertilizer, then rake it smooth and slightly low along walks and drives so the finished lawn sits flush.
- 4
Lay the first row straight
Start along a straight edge like a driveway or walk, butting the pieces tight end to end without overlapping or stretching them.
- 5
Stagger the seams
Offset each new row like bricklaying so the seams don't line up, cutting pieces to fit edges and curves with a sharp knife. Keep the joints tight.
- 6
Roll it in
Once it's all down, run a lawn roller over the whole area to press the sod into the soil and remove air pockets so the roots make solid contact.
- 7
Water and establish
Water deeply right away, then keep the sod consistently moist for the first two to three weeks while it roots. Wait until it's anchored before the first mow.
Equip the job
Recommended gear for this build
Hand-picked categories that match the shopping list above. Links open a current selection so you can compare brands and prices.
These are affiliate links: we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what the calculator recommends — the shopping list comes from your dimensions, not from what pays.
Soil & FillStarter lawn fertilizerHigh-phosphorus blend raked in before sodding to drive fast root establishment.
$18–28/bag
ToolsLawn / sod roller (rental)Presses the sod into the soil and removes air pockets so roots make contact.
$15–25/day
ToolsSod cutter (rental)Strips old turf cleanly and fast — far easier than digging it out by hand.
$70–100/day
ToolsSteel landscape rakeFine-grades the seedbed smooth so the new lawn lies flat and even.
$25–45
ToolsOscillating sprinklerKeeps new sod evenly moist through the critical first few weeks of rooting.
$15–35
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Answers
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need?
Measure the area's square footage (length × width for a rectangle; for odd shapes, break it into rectangles and add them up), then add about 5–10% for the cuts and waste around edges, curves and beds. This calculator converts that into square feet, individual pieces (about 2.75 sq ft each), and pallets (around 450 sq ft each) so you can order whichever way your sod farm sells.
How big is a piece and a pallet of sod?
A standard sod slab is roughly 16 by 24 inches, about 2.75 square feet, though some farms cut larger rolls. A pallet typically holds around 450 to 500 square feet, give or take by region and grass type. The calculator reports both so you can match your supplier's units and avoid ordering a partial pallet you don't need.
How do I prepare the ground for sod?
Strip or kill the old turf, loosen the top few inches of soil, and add and rake in topsoil and a starter fertilizer to level the surface and feed the new roots. Grade it smooth and slightly below walks and drives, then lightly moisten it just before laying so the sod's roots meet damp soil. Good prep is the difference between sod that knits in and sod that struggles.
When should I lay the sod after it's delivered?
The same day, ideally within a few hours. Sod is live grass harvested with only a thin layer of soil, so it heats up and yellows fast stacked on a pallet, especially in summer. Have the soil fully prepped before delivery, lay it immediately staggered like bricks, roll it, and water it deeply right away.