Sod Calculator
Measure the lawn to get the square footage, the number of sod pallets and the delivered cost for bluegrass, Bermuda, fescue or Zoysia.
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Estimated cost
$441 – $819
Typical figure around $630.
- Lawn area
- 1,200 sq ft
- With 5% waste
- 1,260 sq ft
- Sod pallets
- 3 pallets (~450 sq ft each)
Delivered sod. Water daily for the first two weeks and wet the ground before laying so the roots make contact.
Planning estimate only — confirm quantities with your supplier or contractor before ordering.
How this estimate is calculated
The estimate is built from lawn length (ft), lawn width (ft) and grass type, then priced at national average rates. It reports lawn area, with 5% waste and sod pallets, with quantities rounded up so you are never short of material and the standard waste allowance already included where it applies.
Delivered sod. Water daily for the first two weeks and wet the ground before laying so the roots make contact.
The dollar range is a national average, so treat it as a starting point rather than a bid. Labor rates, permit fees and material delivery differ by region — the state table below shows how your state compares, and construction cost by state breaks the picture down further.
Cost by grass type
Each row prices the same default job shown in the calculator above, changing only the grass type. Use it to see what the upgrade or the cheaper option really costs before you commit.
| Grass type | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | $441 | $819 |
| Bermuda | $378 | $693 |
| Tall fescue | $441 | $756 |
| Zoysia | $693 | $1,197 |
What the same job costs by state
Every row applies that state's construction cost index to the national range calculated above. The index bundles local labor rates, permit fees and material delivery, so it is a planning figure rather than a bid.
| State | Index | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 0.92 | $406 | $753 |
| Texas | 0.93 | $410 | $762 |
| North Carolina | 0.94 | $415 | $770 |
| Georgia | 0.95 | $419 | $778 |
| Arizona | 1.01 | $445 | $827 |
| Florida | 1.02 | $450 | $835 |
| Pennsylvania | 1.03 | $454 | $844 |
| Illinois | 1.05 | $463 | $860 |
| Colorado | 1.08 | $476 | $885 |
| Washington | 1.15 | $507 | $942 |
| California | 1.32 | $582 | $1,081 |
| New York | 1.42 | $626 | $1,163 |
Index 1.00 is the national average. See construction cost by state for metro-level figures and the projects homeowners ask about most.
Where to buy materials
Links to suppliers are sponsored: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects an estimate.
- Search The Home Depot“sod grass pallet”
- Search Lowe's“sod grass pallet”
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
A standard pallet holds about 450 square feet of sod, though it varies by grower and grass type. Order a little extra so you never run short mid-lawn.
When is the best time to lay sod?
Spring and early autumn, when temperatures are moderate and rain is reliable. Lay sod within 24 hours of delivery and keep it damp until it knits to the soil, usually two to three weeks.
How much does sod cost?
Sod runs about $0.30 to $0.95 per square foot depending on the grass: Bermuda is the cheapest, tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass sit in the middle, and Zoysia is the most expensive. A 1,200 sq ft lawn lands between roughly $440 and $820 delivered.
Can I lay sod over my existing lawn?
No. Sod has to knit into bare soil, so existing grass and weeds must be killed or stripped and the ground roughened before laying. Sod on top of a live lawn shades out the old grass, but the new roots rarely reach soil and the lawn fails in the first dry spell.
Does this cost change from state to state?
Yes. Applying each state's construction cost index to the national range of $441 to $819, the same job runs from about $406 to $753 in Ohio (index 0.92) to $626 to $1,163 in New York (index 1.42).
What is not included in this estimate?
Delivered sod. Water daily for the first two weeks and wet the ground before laying so the roots make contact. The figure is a national planning average for the work described above, not a contractor's quote.
