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Sod Calculator

Square feet, slabs and pallets of sod for a lawn, plus delivery, labor and markup to price the installation.

Enter a number from 0 to 1000000

Length × width of each section, added up. Use the square footage calculator for odd shapes.

%

Enter a number from 0 to 30%

Mississippi State Extension suggests about 5% extra; use 10% or more for curves and beds.

Enter a number from 1 to 5000

Often 450–500 sq ft for slabs; pallets of 10 sq ft rolls can hold up to 700. It varies by farm, so ask your supplier.

$

Enter a number of at least 0

Your supplier's price. Varies by grass type and region.

$

Enter a number of at least 0

$

Enter a number of at least 0

h

Enter a number from 0 to 5000

Total crew hours for prep, laying and rolling.

$

Enter a number of at least 0

What an hour of crew time costs you, including payroll taxes and insurance.

%

Enter a number from 0 to 500%

Price the sod job at
$2,489.50
2,100 sq ftsod to order
788slabs
$1.24price per sq ft
$0job price $2,489.50
  • Materials
  • Labor
  • Profit
Lawn area2,000 sq ft
With 5% waste · 788 slabs (16 × 24 in)2,100 sq ft
Sod, 5 pallets × $225.00 · 450 sq ft per pallet$1,125.00
Delivery and other materials$250.00
Materials$1,375.00
Labor, 12 h × $45.00$540.00
Job cost$1,915.00
Markup 30%$574.50
Job price$2,489.50

$1.24 per sq ft installed. Many suppliers sell partial pallets, so you may not need to round the last pallet up.

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A one-page PDF for your customer, filled in from the numbers above. Your markup isn't shown.

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How the sod calculation works

  1. Measure the area and add waste

    Add up length × width for each section of lawn. Add about 5% for cuts on simple shapes and 10% for curves: 2,000 sq ft becomes 2,100 sq ft. If the farm quotes in square yards, divide square feet by 9.

  2. Divide by the piece size for slabs or rolls

    A 16 × 24 in slab covers 2.67 sq ft, so 2,100 sq ft is 788 slabs. A 2 × 5 ft roll covers 10 sq ft.

  3. Divide by the pallet size and round up

    At 450 sq ft per pallet, 2,100 sq ft needs 4.67, so order 5 pallets. Pallet sizes vary by farm, so check with the supplier.

  4. Price it: materials + labor, then markup

    Add delivery, soil and fertilizer, then crew hours at your cost per hour. A 30% markup on cost is a 23% margin on the price.

Worked example. A 2,000 sq ft lawn with 5% waste needs 2,100 sq ft of sod: 788 slabs or 5 pallets of 450 sq ft. At $225 a pallet the sod is $1,125; with $100 delivery and $150 of soil and fertilizer, materials are $1,375. Add 12 labor hours at $45 ($540) for a cost of $1,915. A 30% markup prices the job at $2,489.50, about $1.24 per sq ft.

Sod FAQ

How much sod do I need?

Measure the area in square feet and add 5–10% for cuts. A 40 × 50 ft yard is 2,000 sq ft, so order about 2,100 sq ft.

How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?

Mississippi State Extension says a pallet typically holds 450 to 500 sq ft. Virginia Tech Extension puts a pallet of 10 sq ft rolls at 450 to 700 sq ft, and some farms sell 400 sq ft pallets of slabs. Ask your supplier for the exact figure and enter it above.

How much does sod installation cost?

It depends on local sod prices, site prep and labor. Add sod, delivery and soil to your crew hours and markup, then divide by the area to get a price per square foot.

How many pieces of sod are in a pallet?

Divide the pallet's square feet by the piece size. A 16 × 24 in slab covers 2.67 sq ft, so a 450 sq ft pallet holds about 169 slabs and a 500 sq ft pallet about 188. A pallet of 10 sq ft rolls at 500 sq ft holds 50 rolls. Slab size depends on the farm's cutter, so check it.

How much does a pallet of sod cost?

It depends on the grass type, the farm and your region, so get a quote from your supplier. The calculator's $225 is only a default. Divide the pallet price by its square feet to compare quotes: $225 for 450 sq ft is $0.50 per sq ft.

What does sod cost per square foot?

Split it into the sod alone and the installed price. In the worked example, 5 pallets at $225 cover 2,100 sq ft, so the sod is about $0.54 per sq ft of lawn. With delivery, soil, labor and a 30% markup, the installed price is about $1.24 per sq ft. Enter your own prices for a real figure.

Should I order extra sod?

Yes, about 5% for straight edges and 10% for curved beds and paths. Running short means a second delivery charge and a visible seam between batches.

Sources: Mississippi State University Extension: Sod installation and maintenance · Virginia Tech Extension: Sod source selection, installation, maintenance and producers in Virginia · Sod Solutions: Square feet per pallet of sod

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