Sod Calculator – Determine Your Lawn’s Square Footage

If you want to sod your lawn, a sod calculator can help you in determining the appropriate quantities. Such tools have proven highly beneficial by indicating approximately how much sod is needed and estimating the cost to cover specified square footage with the chosen grass type.

Compared to direct seeding, using sod provides an instant lawn, so homeowners can bypass concerns about waiting for the optimal planting season, germination issues, or dealing with weeds.

To find the right quantities needed for your new lawn, you can make use of The Grass Outlet calculator.

But let’s start with the basics.

Understanding Yard Measurements

To determine the amount of sod required for your project, you need to know the dimensions of the area you intend to cover. The measurement will depend on the lawn’s shape, so you need to measure the length, width, base, or radius in feet. In the case of irregularly shaped areas, count them in smaller, regularly shaped sections and calculate each segment individually.

To make your calculation more straightforward, you can use the Grasstimator Tool for automated estimation of the area you want to cover throughout your project.

Preparation for Measuring

Measuring the area for your sod is a straightforward task. However, to ensure precision, it’s essential to have some tools at your disposal. Those tools are the same ones you can use for measuring the artificial grass area. 

Before you start, gather the following items:

• Tape measure
• Pen or pencil
• Paper (graph paper is preferable)
• Calculator

You can also use a digital measuring tool or a smartphone app designed for distance measurement.

Once you have these tools, you’re prepared to calculate the amount of sod needed for your project. Further down in the text, we offer guidance with each process step if you need clarification.

How to Calculate Sod Needs

The dimensions of your yard or project are crucial in determining the amount of sod needed, as well as the installation time. 

Start by sketching the area to be sodded and then divide it into squares, rectangles, triangles, or circles. Even when dealing with regions characterized by curves, sharp angles, or unconventional shapes, you can simplify the process by extending the measurements to encompass a square or rectangle, facilitating calculation and installation

To calculate the required sod quantities manually, your initial step should be to determine the square footage of the lawn for the new turf. Measure the overall area and divide by 2.75. Sod is available in pre-cut rectangles, either stacked or rolled, with each piece measuring 16″ x 24″, which equals 2.75 square feet. 

It is good to count on an additional 5-10% for cutting and trimming, keeping in mind the shape of your law.

Understanding Sod Quantities

Typically, sod is available for purchase in pallets, so understanding pallet sizing is essential for effective ordering, particularly for larger projects. A standard pallet generally contains 450 square feet of sod. 

For tiny areas, we recommend you buy sod by the piece or half-pallet, while in the case of more than 400 square feet, buying it by the pallets is a better option. 

A pallet typically weighs between 2,800 and 3,000 lbs, so note this in choosing your transport over delivery. 

Some extra valuable tips are related to applying high-quality soil before laying the sod, to enhance drainage and nutrition, or to revitalize existing soil with organic material.

Using Online Sod Calculators

Now that you understand how to calculate sod needs and pallet sizing, you can use some of the available online sod calculators. 

The Grasstimator is The Grass Outlet tool created to facilitate sod measurements. This unique sod calculator enables users to obtain a free and precise estimate of the required amount of sod and related project costs when purchasing your sod from us. It brings users a straightforward approach and the most optimal experience. 

All you need to do is choose one of the offered shapes (rectangle, triangle, circle combination, parallelogram, trapezoid), enter the dimensions of your area, and choose the grass type. When selecting the grass type, you will see the price for each grass variety per pallet. The Grassimator will do the rest by showing the exact number of pallets you need. We designed this calculator to round up to the nearest pallet, allowing for variances caused by trim in pieces and scraps.

You will also receive the delivery charges along with the price for your new lawn, so you can immediately know how much the total cost will be.

Conclusion

Laying sod is a great alternative to direct grass seeding, and the use of sod calculators proves highly beneficial in determining the required quantity.

If you have doubts about measuring your lawn’s area and rely on automatic calculation, use the Grassimator Tool. In considering a new lawn and looking for the right grass type, check out The Grass Outlet’s selection of sod and other lawn care products.