Sod Cost Calculator
Enter the lawn size and your local sod price. You get the material total, the installed total, and the roll and pallet count you will need to order.
How the cost is calculated
- Area = length × width in square feet. Split irregular lawns into rectangles and add them.
- Material = square feet × sod price per square foot.
- Installed = square feet × (sod price + installation price).
- Rolls = area ÷ roll coverage; pallets = area ÷ pallet coverage, both rounded up.
Worked example
A 40 ft × 30 ft lawn, sod at $0.45 per square foot and installation at $0.90:
- 40 × 30 = 1,200 sq ft
- Material: 1,200 × $0.45 = $540
- Installed: 1,200 × $1.35 = $1,620
- Order 120 rolls, or just under 3 pallets at 450 sq ft each
Then add soil prep. Stripping the old lawn, tilling and grading typically costs $0.50–1.50 per square foot on its own — often as much as the sod.
Typical US prices
| Item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sod, per sq ft | $0.30–0.60 | Bermuda and fescue at the low end, zoysia higher |
| Sod, per pallet | $150–450 | 450–500 sq ft per pallet |
| Installation labour | $0.50–1.00 per sq ft | Laying only, no prep |
| Soil prep and grading | $0.50–1.50 per sq ft | The line most quotes understate |
| Delivery | $100–250 | Per pallet load, forklift required |
Sod or seed?
| Sod | Seed | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per 1,000 sq ft | $350–600 | $30–80 |
| Establishment | 2–4 weeks | 2–6 months |
| Slopes and erosion | Works immediately | Washes out easily |
| Weed pressure | Low | High for the first season |
Frequently asked questions
How much does sod cost per square foot?
Material is $0.30–0.60 per square foot, or $150–450 per pallet. Installed with proper soil prep, most projects land at $1.00–2.00 per square foot.
How much to sod 1,000 square feet?
About $350–600 in sod alone. Delivery, old turf removal and grading usually push the installed total to $1,000–2,000.
Is sod cheaper than seed?
No — sod costs 10–20 times more per square foot. It buys speed, slope stability and a weed-free start. On a flat, irrigated lawn with time to spare, seed is dramatically cheaper.
How much does a pallet cover and weigh?
A pallet covers 450–500 sq ft and weighs 1,500–2,500 lb when wet. That is beyond most pickup trucks, so price delivery and a forklift rather than planning to collect it yourself.