Measuring

• Physically measure the area you are going to sod as estimating could result in ordering too little or too much sod.  It is more efficient to take the time required to measure twice and order once.  Areas should be measured in square feet.

• It is easier and more accurate to measure square or rectangular areas.  If you have an irregular area, divide it into squares and rectangles, and calculate the area of each. Add together the totals of all the areas measured to determine the square footage of sod needed for your project.

• You should order about 5% additional sod to allow for cutting and shaping around your landscape. 

• Site preparation must be completed prior to the delivery of your sod.

Basic terms that will help you to understand the formulas used to measure for sod are:

A = Area

W = Width

L = Length

H = Height

B = Base

D = Diameter

r = Radius

Rectangle and Square (L x W = A)

To find the area (A) of a square or rectangle, multiply its length (L) times its width (W). 

To find the area (A) of a circle, multiply its radius (r) by itself and then multiply by 3.14.The easiest way to determine the radius (r) of a circle is to measure its diameter (D), which is the distance from one edge of the circle to the other, and divide the resulting number by 2 (r = D ÷ 2). In the circle below, D = 60 feet so 60 ÷ 2 = 30 feet = r. 

To find the area (A) of a triangle, multiply its base (B) times its height (H) and divide by 2.

To find the area (A) of a right triangle, divide its base (B) by 2 and multiply the resulting number by its height (H).