Sod Area Calculator: Lawn Square Footage

Sod Area Calculator

A sod area calculator finds the size of a lawn in square feet or square meters, using its length and width. Sod is turfgrass grown with a thin layer of soil and roots attached, cut into slabs, and laid down to make an instant lawn. Knowing the area of a lawn tells a person how much sod to buy.

How to calculate sod area

For a rectangular or square lawn, area equals length times width.

$\text{Area} = \text{Length} \times \text{Width}$

Both measurements must use the same unit, either feet or meters. The result comes out in square feet or square meters.

Example

A lawn measures 20 feet long and 15 feet wide.

$20 \text{ ft} \times 15 \text{ ft} = 300 \text{ sq ft}$

A metric example: a lawn measures 6 meters long and 4 meters wide.

$6 \text{ m} \times 4 \text{ m} = 24 \text{ sq m}$

To switch between units, 1 square foot equals 0.09290304 square meters (about 0.0929), and 1 square meter equals about 10.76 square feet.

Accounting for waste

Mississippi State University Extension advises buying about 5 percent more sod than the measured area. The extra covers cuts around edges, corners, and objects such as trees or flower beds. Lawns with many curves or obstacles may need more.

$\text{Sod to order} \approx \text{Area} \times 1.05$

For the 300-square-foot lawn above, that means ordering about 315 square feet. The calculator itself shows only the measured area and does not add this allowance.

Measuring an irregular lawn

Few lawns are perfect rectangles. For an L-shaped or curved lawn:

1. Split the lawn into smaller rectangles and triangles.
2. Find the area of each shape. A triangle's area is half its base times its height.
3. Add the areas together.

This method works for almost any lawn shape, though very curved edges are easier to measure by walking off a grid pattern and counting squares.

How much sod comes on a pallet

According to University of Tennessee Extension, one pallet of slab sod usually holds about 50 square yards, which is 450 square feet or about 42 square meters, and weighs 2,000 pounds or more. Individual slabs are often 16 inches wide by 24 or more inches long. Coverage varies by supplier and grass type, so the exact figure should be confirmed before ordering.

Alternatives to sod

Grass seed costs less than sod but takes several weeks to a few months to fill in fully. Hydroseeding, a slurry of seed, mulch, and fertilizer sprayed onto soil, establishes faster than plain seed but slower than sod. Artificial turf needs no water or mowing once installed, but costs more up front. Ground covers such as clover or creeping thyme can replace grass in shaded or low-traffic areas.

Frequently asked questions

How do I measure a lawn for sod?

Measure the length and width with a tape measure, in feet or meters. Multiply the two numbers to get the area. For odd shapes, split the lawn into rectangles or triangles, measure each one, and add the results together.

How much extra sod should I buy?

About 5% beyond the measured area is a common allowance for cuts around edges. Lawns with many curves or obstacles may need more.

How long does it take sod to root?

University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension says sod usually resists being lifted within 10 to 14 days in good weather, which shows the roots have grown into the soil. The check is done by grasping the grass blades and lifting straight up. Cooler or very dry weather slows rooting.

What is the difference between sod and grass seed?

Sod is grass that has already grown, cut into slabs, and laid down as a finished surface. Seed is planted and grows in over weeks or months. Sod costs more but gives an instant lawn; seed costs less but takes longer.

How do I convert square meters to square feet?

Multiply the square meter figure by about 10.76 to get square feet. To convert the other way, multiply square feet by about 0.0929.

What is the best time of year to install sod?

It depends on the grass. University of Tennessee Extension notes that cool-season sod, such as tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass, is usually installed from January through June and September through December, avoiding summer heat stress. Warm-season grasses, such as bermudagrass and zoysia, are best planted in late spring to early summer, though their sod can be laid any time the soil is not frozen.

References

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology. NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8: Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically. NIST SP 811 Appendix B.8 — 1 square foot = 0.09290304 square meter.
2. Mississippi State University Extension. Sod Installation and Maintenance. MSU Extension sod guide — buy about 5 percent more sod than needed.
3. University of Tennessee Extension. Turfgrass Establishment: Sodding and Plugging (W160-C). UT Extension W160-C (PDF) — a pallet of slab sod holds about 50 square yards; slabs often 16 by 24 or more inches.
4. University of Tennessee Extension. Turfgrass Establishment: When to Plant Turfgrasses (W160-F). UT Extension W160-F (PDF) — installation seasons for cool-season and warm-season sod.
5. University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension. Establishing Lawns From Sod. UNL Turfgrass Science Program (PDF) — sod usually resists lifting within 10 to 14 days.