How to use this calculator
- 1Measure the length and width of the lawn, or enter the area. Split odd shapes into rectangles and add them up.
- 2Keep the 5 % extra for trimming around edges and curves, or change it.
- 3Choose the size of the rolls or pieces your supplier sells: UK rolls are usually 1 m², US slabs 16 × 24 in.
- 4If you buy by the pallet, choose the pallet size to see how many pallets to order.
- 5Adding new topsoil first? Enter its depth to see how much to order.
The formula
- 01Area to order = lawn area × (1 + extra %)
- 02Rolls or pieces = area to order ÷ area of one piece, rounded up
- 03Pallets = area to order ÷ area on one pallet, rounded up
- 04Topsoil = lawn area × topsoil depth × (1 + settling %) · weight = topsoil × density
Sod (US) and turf (UK) are sold by area, so all you need is the lawn area and the size of each piece. A UK turf roll is usually about 1.65 m × 0.6 m, which is 1 m². In the US, farms in the South mostly cut 16 × 24 in slabs (2.67 ft²) and farms in the North small or large rolls; a pallet usually carries 450–500 ft², though pallets range from about 400 to 700 ft².
The pieces are laid edge to edge in a brick pattern and trimmed at the edges, so some is always cut off. Mississippi State University Extension suggests buying about 5 % more than the measured area; very curved or narrow lawns may need more.
Loose topsoil settles when it is raked and firmed. Screened sandy loam weighs about 1.30 t/m³ loose and 1.50 t/m³ firmed (The Gardenmakers), so a firmed layer needs 1.5 ÷ 1.3 = 15 % more loose soil — the default extra. The weight uses the loose density; moist topsoil can weigh up to 1.7 t/m³ (British Sugar Topsoil), so check with your supplier if you order by the tonne.
Worked example
A 20 ft × 15 ft lawn is 300 ft². With 5% extra for trimming, order 315 ft² of sod.
In standard sod slabs that is 119 pieces. Pallets needed (450 ft² each): 1.
Spreading 4 in of new topsoil first takes 4.26 yd³.
Tips before you buy
- Clear the old grass and weeds, loosen the soil, then rake it level and firm it by treading or rolling before the sod arrives.
- Lay the first row along a straight edge such as a path, and stagger the joints like brickwork. Push the edges tight together without stretching or overlapping them.
- Kneel or walk on a board laid on the new sod so you do not leave footprints in the prepared soil.
- On a slope, lay the rows across the slope with staggered joints, so water cannot run down straight channels between the pieces.
- Water in the morning or early evening, and never let new sod dry out in its first weeks.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
Usually 450–500 ft² in the US, according to Mississippi State University Extension, but pallets range from about 400 to 700 ft² depending on the farm and whether the sod is cut in slabs or rolls. Ask your supplier: the calculator lets you type any pallet size.
How big is a roll of turf?
In the UK a standard roll is about 1.65 m long and 0.6 m wide, which covers 1 m². Big rolls laid by machine come in many sizes. In the US, sod is sold as 16 × 24 in slabs (2.67 ft²), 18 × 40 in mini rolls (5 ft²) or 2 × 5 ft rolls (10 ft²).
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
Divide the area of the pallet by the area of one piece. A 450 ft² pallet of 16 × 24 in slabs holds about 169 pieces and a 500 ft² pallet about 188, but farms count differently, so check with yours.
How much extra sod should I order?
About 5 % more than the measured area covers trimming at edges and curves. Add a little more for very curved or narrow lawns, or if you have many beds and trees to cut around.
How much topsoil do I need under new turf?
The Turfgrass Growers Association says at least 100 mm (4 in) of topsoil is needed for healthy grass. If your ground has less, enter the depth you will add and the calculator gives the volume in cubic metres or cubic yards.
How soon do I have to lay sod after delivery?
As soon as possible. UK growers aim to deliver within 36 hours of cutting, and in hot weather the Turfgrass Growers Association says to lay it the day it arrives. Keep the rolls in the shade and lightly watered if some have to wait.
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Sources
- Mississippi State University Extension – Sod installation and maintenance (450–500 ft² pallets, 5 % extra)
- Turfgrass Growers Association – Sourcing and laying cultivated turf (1 m² rolls, 100 mm topsoil)
- The Gardenmakers – bulk densities: screened sandy loam 1.30 t/m³ loose, 1.50 compacted
- British Sugar Topsoil – topsoil volume calculator (topsoil about 1.7 t/m³)
- Sod Solutions – Square feet per pallet (slab and roll sizes)
Formulas last reviewed: September 30, 2026 ·How we check our formulas