How to Estimate Sod and Topsoil
A beautiful lawn starts with proper measurement. Ordering too little sod leaves bare patches that invite weeds, and running short on topsoil will prevent your new grass from rooting properly into the native ground.
The Sod Waste Factor
Grass is not laid in perfectly straight, uninterrupted lines. You will have to cut sod rolls to fit around trees, garden beds, hardscapes, and irrigation heads. Because of these cuts, the industry standard is to add a 5% waste factor to your total square footage before ordering your pallets.
Understanding Sod Pallets
Sod farms typically sell grass by the pallet, not by the individual roll. A standard pallet covers 450 square feet (usually containing roughly 168 pieces measuring 16" x 24"). However, depending on the region and the farm, mini-pallets (400 sq ft) and large pallets (500 sq ft) are also common. Always check with your local supplier.
Calculating Topsoil in Cubic Yards
New sod requires a healthy bed of nutrient-rich topsoil to root—usually 2 to 4 inches deep depending on the quality of your existing dirt. Because landscape yards sell bulk soil by the Cubic Yard, this calculator automatically converts your square footage and depth (in inches) into the exact cubic yardage required.