Sod is sold two ways — by the individual roll for small patches and by the pallet for a whole lawn — and the two are linked by one number: a pallet covers about 450 square feet, which works out to roughly 45 rolls. Here is how that breaks down and how to size your order with the sod calculator.
Rolls, pallets, and coverage
A standard sod roll is 2 feet by 5 feet, so it covers 10 square feet. A pallet holds enough rolls to cover about 450 square feet, which is where the ~45 rolls per pallet figure comes from. Both numbers vary by farm:
| Unit | Typical coverage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Roll (2 ft x 5 ft) | 10 sq ft | ~30–40 lb moist; good for patches |
| Slab (16 in x 24 in) | ~2.67 sq ft | some farms use slabs instead of rolls |
| Pallet | ~450 sq ft (400–500) | ~45 rolls; usually delivered |
Estimating how much sod you need
Work in square feet:
- Measure each area: length times width for the lawn and any separate strips.
- Add waste: about 5 to 10% for cutting around beds, curves, and edges.
- Divide: by 10 for rolls, or by 450 for pallets, and round up.
A 20 ft by 25 ft yard is 500 square feet. With 5% waste that is about 525 square feet — roughly 53 rolls, or just over one pallet. The sod calculator returns rolls and pallets from your dimensions so you can decide which way to buy.
Prep the soil first
Sod roots fastest into loose, graded topsoil with a starter fertilizer. Strip old grass, loosen the top few inches, level it, and lightly water before the sod arrives. If you need to bring in soil, estimate it with the topsoil calculator.
Order it for install day
Sod is perishable and heavy — a pallet can weigh 1,500 to 3,000 pounds — so schedule delivery for the day you will lay it. In hot weather, stacked sod can overheat and yellow within a day or two. Lay it fresh, press out air gaps with a roller, and water deeply right away.
FAQ
How many rolls of sod are in a pallet?
A standard pallet of sod covers about 450 square feet and holds roughly 45 rolls when each roll is a 2 ft by 5 ft (10 square foot) piece. Pallet coverage varies by farm from about 400 to 500 square feet, and some farms cut smaller slabs instead of rolls, so confirm the size before ordering.
How much sod do I need?
Measure the area in square feet (length times width for each section), add about 5 to 10% for cuts and curves, then divide by the roll or pallet coverage. A 20 ft by 25 ft yard is 500 square feet, or a little over one 450-square-foot pallet with waste.
How big is a roll of sod?
A common sod roll is 2 feet wide by 5 feet long, covering 10 square feet, and weighs roughly 30 to 40 pounds when moist. Some farms sell 16 in by 24 in slabs (about 2.67 square feet) on a pallet instead of rolls.
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
A full pallet of sod weighs roughly 1,500 to 3,000 pounds depending on moisture and soil thickness. That weight is why sod is usually delivered and why you want it installed the day it arrives.