By the pallet
Sod calculator
Break an odd-shaped lawn into rectangles, circles and triangles, and get the square footage, piece count and pallets to order.
OrderExact · https://orderexact.com/sod/
Sizes and allowances
| Option | Figure | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard slab | 16 in × 24 in | 2.67 sq ft per piece. The common size for hand-laid residential lawns. |
| Small roll | 2 ft × 5 ft | 10 sq ft per piece. Faster to lay, heavier to carry. |
| Big roll | 2 ft × 30 ft+ | Contractor equipment only — these weigh several hundred pounds each. |
| Typical pallet | 450–500 sq ft | Varies by grower. Confirm before ordering, because it changes the pallet count. |
| Waste allowance | 5–10% | Five percent for a plain rectangle, ten for curves and obstacles. |
Measure in pieces, not in one go
Lawns are rarely rectangles. Splitting the area into a few simple shapes and adding them is far more accurate than pacing out an average length and width, and it is what the add-area button above is for.
For curved edges, approximate with a rectangle plus a half-circle, or just measure the enclosing rectangle and accept a little waste. Sod is trimmed on site anyway.
Order for the day you lay it
Sod is a living crop harvested to order. Stacked on a pallet it starts heating from the inside, and in summer it can yellow within a day and die within two or three. There is no way to store it.
Confirm the delivery date, prepare the ground first, and clear your calendar for the day it lands. Water the prepared soil the evening before so the roots meet damp ground rather than dust.
Pallet sizes vary — ask
Growers use different pallet coverages, commonly between 400 and 500 square feet. That is a swing of a full 20 percent on a big order, so the pallet figure in this calculator is editable. Put in your supplier's number before you decide how many to buy.
Ask what a pallet weighs at the same time. It depends on how thick the soil is cut and how wet it is, and the answer decides whether you are collecting it or paying for delivery. Check the truck can reach where you want it dropped.
Common questions
How many square feet is a pallet of sod?
Usually 450 to 500 square feet, but it varies by grower. Confirm the figure before you order, as a 10 percent difference can change your pallet count.
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
Growers quote anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds, depending on how thick the soil is cut and how wet it is. Get the figure from yours before you book a vehicle, and plan on the top of that range if you cannot.
How much extra sod should I order?
Five percent for a simple rectangular lawn, ten percent where there are curves, trees or beds to cut around.
How long can sod sit on the pallet?
Twenty-four hours is the safe limit, less in hot weather. It generates heat while stacked, so lay it the day it arrives.
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