Enter the size of your lawn, pick the size of sod your supplier sells, and get the number of pieces or rolls and pallets to order.
Extra for cutting and cost
Pallet sizes vary by farm and region. Ask your supplier how many square feet are on each pallet and enter it above.
How to measure your lawn
- Split the lawn into simple shapes: rectangles, and circles for round areas.
- Measure each shape in feet and work out its area. Add the areas together.
- Take away anything sod won’t cover, such as patios, flower beds and paths.
- Enter the total with “I know the area”, or measure a single rectangle directly.
Sod sizes and pallets
Sod is cut in slabs or rolls, and the size depends on the farm and the grass.
| Format | Size | Covers | Pieces per 1,000 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slab | 16 × 24 in | 2.67 sq ft | 375 |
| Slab | 18 × 24 in | 3 sq ft | 334 |
| Roll | 2 × 5 ft | 10 sq ft | 100 |
Slabs are common in the South for bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine and centipede. Rolls are more common in the North for bluegrass and fescue. A pallet usually covers 400 to 500 square feet, with 450 the most common, but always ask your supplier.
Worked example
A 50 ft × 30 ft lawn in 16 × 24 inch slabs, on 450 sq ft pallets:
- 50 × 30 = 1,500 square feet
- With 5 percent extra for cutting: 1,575 square feet
- 1,575 ÷ 2.67 = 590 slabs
- 1,575 ÷ 450 = 3.5 pallets, so order 4
In 2 × 5 ft rolls, the same lawn needs 158 rolls.
How much extra sod to order
Add about 5 percent for a simple rectangular lawn. For curved edges, lots of beds or awkward corners, add 10 percent, because each cut leaves an offcut you can’t always reuse.
Tips for laying sod
- Prepare the soil first. Clear old grass and weeds, loosen the top few inches, and rake it level. If you need to add soil, use the topsoil calculator.
- Lay it the day it arrives. Sod is a living plant and dries out fast, especially in warm weather, so plan delivery for the day you’ll install it.
- Stagger the joints like brickwork, and push the edges tightly together without stretching the pieces.
- Water straight away, enough to soak the soil underneath, then keep it moist while the roots grow in.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Usually 400 to 500 square feet, and 450 is the most common size. It varies by farm and by grass, so check with your supplier.
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
A 450 square foot pallet of 16 × 24 inch slabs holds about 170 pieces.
How much sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
With 5 percent extra, plan on 1,050 square feet: about 394 slabs of 16 × 24 inches or 105 rolls of 2 × 5 feet, which is about 2.3 pallets of 450 square feet.
Is sod better than seed?
Sod gives you a lawn straight away and stops erosion quickly, but it costs much more. Seed is far cheaper and offers more grass choices, but takes weeks to fill in. The grass seed calculator works out the seed side.
When can I walk on new sod?
Keep foot traffic light until the roots have grown into the soil, which usually takes a couple of weeks. Gently lift a corner: if it resists, the roots are taking hold.
Results are estimates for planning. Sod and pallet sizes vary by supplier. See How We Calculate for the formulas and values we use.