How to Estimate Sod Quantity

When you want to jump start a landscape, sod can provide a lush, green carpet. In preparing a landscape for sod, one of the first things you must do is estimate the amount of sod you will need to buy. Basic math skills will help you calculate the size of your landscape. After measuring the area in feet, use mathematical formulas to figure the amount of sod you will need to cover the soil.

Tape measure
Paper
Pencil
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length and the width of a square or rectangular-shaped landscape using feet. If you have a triangular-shaped landscape, measure the base and height of the triangle. If you have a circular landscape, measure the radius of the circle.
- 2
  Multiply the length by the width for square or rectangular-shaped landscapes to find the area in feet. Multiply the base by the height for a triangular-shaped landscape and then divide the answer by 2 to find the area in feet. Multiply the radius of the circle by 3.14 to find the area in feet.
- 3
  Measure any areas in your landscape where you will not install sod with the tape measure. Use the mathematical formulas for square, rectangular, triangle or circle shapes to figure the area. Subtract these areas from the total area to find the adjusted area you need to cover with sod.
- 4
  Divide the area by 9 if you need the area in square yards instead of square feet. The answer will be the square yardage of your landscape.
- 5
  Find out how many square feet or yards of sod come in a pallet from a specific sod farm. Divide your square footage or yardage number (whichever measurement the sod farm uses) by this number to determine how many pallets of sod you will need to cover your landscape. This number will help you determine your cost in laying down sod in your landscape.

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