What to measure
How to use the sod calculator
Measure the lawn as a rectangle or circle (split odd shapes up and add them). Keep 5% extra, enter your farm’s pallet size, and choose slabs or rolls.
The formula
- Sod to order = area × (1 + extra %)
- Pallets = sod ÷ square feet per pallet, rounded up
- Slabs are 16 × 24 in (2.67 sq ft); rolls are commonly 2 × 5 ft (10 sq ft)
Worked example: 50 × 40 ft lawn
- 50 × 40 = 2,000 sq ft, plus 5% = 2,100 sq ft
- 2,100 ÷ 450 = 4.67 → 5 pallets
- Or 788 slabs of 16 × 24 in
Before the sod arrives
Lay sod the day it’s delivered: it dries out within 24–48 hours on the pallet. Prepare the soil first, start along a straight edge, stagger the seams like brickwork and water deeply right after laying.
Sod by lawn size
With 5% extra and 450 sq ft pallets.
| Lawn | Sod to order | Pallets | 16 × 24 in slabs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 525 sq ft | 2 | 197 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,050 sq ft | 3 | 394 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,100 sq ft | 5 | 788 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 3,150 sq ft | 7 | 1,182 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 5,250 sq ft | 12 | 1,969 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 10,500 sq ft | 24 | 3,938 |
Common mistakes
- Measuring beds and patios as lawn. Subtract areas that won’t get sod, or measure only the grass areas and add them up.
- Ordering before the soil is ready. Sod can’t wait on the pallet, so prepare and level the ground first and schedule delivery for the day you lay it.
- Lining up the seams. Joints that line up dry out and show. Stagger them like brickwork.
- Under-watering the first days. New sod has no roots in the soil yet. Water deeply right after laying.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
Usually 450 sq ft, though farms also sell 400 and 500 sq ft pallets. Check your supplier's figure and enter it in the calculator.
How much extra sod should I order?
About 5% for straight-edged lawns, up to 10% for curved beds and lots of obstacles. Sod can't be stored, so don't overdo it.
How many pallets of sod for a 2,000 sq ft lawn?
With 5% extra that's 2,100 sq ft, or 4.67 pallets of 450 sq ft, so 5 pallets.
Should I put topsoil under sod?
Yes, if the ground is poor. 2–4 inches of topsoil, raked smooth and lightly rolled, helps sod root quickly. Size it with the topsoil calculator.
How many rolls of sod do I need for 1,000 sq ft?
105 rolls of 2 × 5 ft, which covers 1,050 sq ft with 5% extra. In 16 × 24 in slabs it's 394.
How many pallets of sod for an acre?
An acre is 43,560 sq ft; with 5% extra that's 45,738 sq ft, or 102 pallets of 450 sq ft.
Does the pallet size change how many pallets I need?
Yes. 2,100 sq ft of sod is 6 pallets of 400 sq ft, but 5 pallets of 450 or 500 sq ft. Enter your farm's figure in the calculator.
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
A 450 sq ft pallet holds about 169 slabs of 16 × 24 in, or 45 rolls of 2 × 5 ft. Pallet sizes vary, so check with the farm.
Sources
Formulas and defaults last reviewed October 30, 2026. How we check our math.