Sod gives you a lawn in a day, but you pay for every square foot, so ordering the right amount matters. Too little means a second delivery or a gap in the lawn, and too much is wasted money on a perishable product. This sod pallet calculator turns your lawn area into square feet to order, standard rolls and pallets, with a waste allowance for cuts.
How to use the sod pallet calculator
- Enter the area you want to cover in square feet. Measure irregular lawns in rectangles and add them up.
- Choose a waste allowance. Use 5 percent for a simple square area, 10 percent as a typical figure and 15 percent for curves, slopes and beds.
- Pick the pallet size your supplier sells, usually 400 to 500 square feet.
- Add a price per square foot if you want a cost estimate.
The math behind it
Sod to order = area × (1 + waste %)
Pallets = sod to order ÷ square feet per pallet
Standard rolls = sod to order ÷ 10 sq ft
Worked example: a front lawn
A 2,000 square foot lawn with 10 percent waste needs 2,200 square feet of sod. That is 220 standard 10 square foot rolls, or 4.9 pallets at 450 square feet each. Order 5 pallets.
Worked example: a curved yard
A 1,200 square foot lawn with lots of curves and 15 percent waste needs 1,380 square feet. At 450 square feet per pallet, that is 3.1 pallets, so order 4 or ask the farm about half pallets.
Sod size and pallets
Sod is cut in different sizes depending on the farm: small rolls of about 10 square feet, larger rolls and large slabs. A pallet usually holds 400 to 500 square feet, depending on the grass, the thickness of the cut and how the farm stacks it. Always confirm coverage with your supplier before you order.
Laying sod well
- Prepare the soil first. Grade it, loosen the top few inches and work in compost if needed. The soil calculator shows how much you need.
- Lay it the day it arrives. Sod heats up and dries on the pallet.
- Stagger the seams like bricks, and press the edges tight together without stretching.
- Water right away, soaking the sod and the soil under it, then keep it moist for the first two weeks.
- Wait to mow until the sod has rooted, usually after about two weeks, then mow at the right height. See our mowing height calculator.
Sod or seed?
Seed costs much less per square foot and gives you more choice of grass, but takes weeks to fill in and needs careful watering. Sod costs more and gives an instant lawn. Compare with our lawn seed rate calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much sod is on a pallet?
Usually between 400 and 500 square feet, but it varies by farm and grass type. Ask your supplier.
How much extra sod should I order?
About 5 to 10 percent for a simple rectangle, and up to 15 percent for curves, slopes and many cuts.
How long can sod sit before I lay it?
Ideally it goes down the same day, and not more than a day or two in cool weather. In heat it can spoil within hours.
How many rolls of sod are in a pallet?
With standard 10 square foot rolls, a 450 square foot pallet holds about 45 rolls.