Enter the lawn area to see rolls, pallets and a typical installed range.
Roll and pallet sizes vary by sod farm; confirm before you order. Installed range is our typical GTA range ($2–$4 per sq ft including old-lawn removal, grading and topsoil), not a quote.
How to measure a lawn for sod
Measure the length and width of each rectangle of lawn in feet and multiply them. Most yards break into two or three rectangles: the front lawn, the backyard and a side strip. Add them together and enter the total as length × 1, or run the calculator once per area. For a curved bed edge, measure to the furthest point of the curve; the 5% extra the calculator adds covers the trimming.
No tape measure? Pace it out. One big step is about 3 ft, so a backyard that is 13 steps by 8 steps is roughly 40 × 25 ft, or 1,000 sq ft. Metric works too: switch the units to metres and the calculator converts to square feet.
Rolls, pallets and why they vary
Ontario sod farms cut different roll sizes, from about 8 to 12 sq ft, and stack different amounts on a pallet, usually somewhere between 400 and 700 sq ft. That is why the calculator asks. Ask your farm two questions before ordering: how many square feet one roll covers, and how many square feet are on a pallet. Then order whole pallets and keep the leftover rolls for patching.
What sod installation costs in Mississauga
| Lawn size | Typical GTA range, installed |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | $1,000–$2,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | $2,000–$4,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $4,000–$8,000 |
Our typical GTA range is $2–$4 per sq ft installed, before HST, checked October 2026. It includes removing the old lawn, grading and topsoil on most lots. Steep slopes, poor access or a lot of fill push a job toward the top. See sod installation for how we do it.
Mistakes that waste sod
- Skipping the prep. Sod laid on old grass or compacted clay roots poorly. Remove the old turf, grade, add topsoil and roll it first.
- Ordering too early. Sod should go down the day it arrives. Rolls left stacked in the sun heat up and yellow within a day or two.
- Leaving gaps. Stagger the joints like bricks and push the edges tight. Gaps dry out and let weeds in.
- Watering lightly. New sod needs the soil underneath kept moist for the first one to two weeks, not just the grass wet.
Not sure if sod or seed suits your yard? Read sod vs seed in Ontario, or check the lawn weather forecast for a good laying day.
Questions about this tool
How much does sod cost per square foot installed?
Our typical GTA range is $2–$4 per sq ft installed, before HST. That includes removing the old lawn, grading and topsoil on most lots, so a 1,000 sq ft backyard lands around $2,000–$4,000. Steep slopes, tight access or a lot of fill move a job toward the top of the range.
How many square feet is a pallet of sod?
It depends on the sod farm, usually somewhere between 400 and 700 sq ft per pallet, because farms cut different roll sizes and stack different amounts. Ask your supplier for the exact coverage before you order, enter it in the calculator, and round up to whole pallets.
How much extra sod should I order?
About 5% for a simple rectangle, which covers cuts along edges and around beds. Add a little more for curved beds, lots of trees or narrow strips, where more pieces get trimmed. Leftover rolls are useful for patching a corner that dries out in the first summer.
Do I need topsoil under new sod?
Usually yes. New sod roots best into a few inches of loose, screened topsoil over a graded base, not into bare clay or old grass. Grading first also lets you fix low spots and make sure water runs away from the house before the lawn goes down.
Sources
- Country Reno: interlock driveway installation in Toronto (base depths, ICPI guidance)