Sod Calculator
Sod is sold by the roll and delivered by the pallet, but you measure in feet. Enter the lawn size to see both, with the waste allowance built in.
How the sod calculator works
- Area = length × width, in square feet. Break irregular lawns into rectangles and add them together.
- Rolls = area ÷ roll coverage. Most rolls are 10 sq ft, though 9 sq ft rolls are common in some regions.
- Pallets = area ÷ pallet coverage, usually 450–500 sq ft. Pallets are always rounded up — you cannot buy a third of a pallet.
Worked example
A 40 ft × 30 ft lawn:
- 40 × 30 = 1,200 sq ft
- 1,200 ÷ 10 = 120 rolls
- 1,200 ÷ 450 = 2.67 → 3 pallets
With curved edges, order 1,260 sq ft instead — 126 rolls, or just under 3 pallets. Sod shrinks slightly as it dries, so the small overage disappears within a week.
Roll and pallet sizes
| Unit | Coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard roll | 10 sq ft | 2 ft × 5 ft, most common |
| Large roll | 9 sq ft | Some regional farms |
| Half pallet | 225–250 sq ft | Often the minimum delivery |
| Full pallet | 450–500 sq ft | Weighs 1,500–2,500 lb |
Before you order
Sod only performs as well as the soil under it. Strip the old lawn, till 4–6 inches, grade away from the house, and add organic matter before the truck arrives. Laying sod on compacted subsoil is the single most common reason a new lawn fails in its first summer.
Also confirm whether the price is per roll or per square foot. Suppliers quote both, and the two numbers are only comparable once you know the roll size.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
Usually 450–500 sq ft. A standard roll is about 10 sq ft, so a pallet holds roughly 45–50 rolls. Confirm with your supplier — pallet sizes vary by farm and by turf variety.
How much sod do I need for a 1,000 square foot lawn?
Order about 1,100 sq ft to allow for cuts and edges. That is 110 rolls, or roughly 2.5 pallets at 450 sq ft each — so 3 pallets in practice.
How long can sod sit before it dies?
24–48 hours in cool weather, and as little as 12 hours in summer heat. Keep it shaded, unstacked, and water the rolls if there is any delay. Install and water within 30 minutes of laying each section.
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
About 1,500–2,500 lb when wet. That is more than most pickup trucks should carry, and it needs a forklift or a tilt-bed delivery — plan for the truck, not the trunk.
When is the best time to lay sod?
Early autumn, when soil is still warm and air is cooling, or early spring. Mid-summer installation works but needs watering twice a day for the first two weeks.