Free landscaping calculator
Sod Calculator — rolls & pallets
Instant lawn, correctly ordered. Includes a cutting-waste allowance so you don't come up a few rolls short.
Based on standard 2×5 ft rolls (10 sq ft each). Sod is perishable — lay it the day it arrives.
How much sod do I need?
Sod is sold by the roll — most commonly 2 × 5 feet, covering 10 square feet — and by the pallet, which typically holds 450–500 square feet. Measure your lawn's length and width, then add a waste allowance for the rolls that get cut around beds, walkways, and curves. Ordering the exact square footage almost guarantees running short.
| Lawn size | Rolls / pallets |
|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 55 rolls · ~1.2 pallets |
| 1,000 sq ft | 110 rolls · ~2.4 pallets |
| 2,000 sq ft | 220 rolls · ~4.9 pallets |
| 5,000 sq ft | 550 rolls · ~12.2 pallets |
Measuring an irregular lawn
Break odd-shaped lawns into simple rectangles and add the areas together. For gentle curves, measure the widest points and use the 10–15% waste setting rather than trying to trace the curve precisely — the offcuts from straight rolls cover the difference.
Before delivery day
Sod starts drying out the moment it's harvested, and stacked pallets can heat up and yellow within a day or two. Prep your soil first — graded, raked, lightly firmed, and moist — so rolls go down within 24 hours of arrival. Stagger seams like brickwork and water thoroughly the same day.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a roll of sod?
The most common roll is 2 feet by 5 feet, covering 10 square feet. Some farms cut 16 by 24 inch slabs instead, which cover about 2.7 square feet each, so check your supplier's format.
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
Most pallets hold 450 to 500 square feet of sod, though some suppliers stack up to 600. Confirm the pallet size before ordering, since it varies by farm.
How much extra sod should I order?
Add 5 percent for a simple rectangular lawn, 10 percent for a lawn with some curves or obstacles, and 15 percent for highly irregular shapes.
How long can sod sit on a pallet?
Ideally less than 24 hours. In warm weather, stacked sod can start yellowing within a day as the pile heats up. Schedule delivery for the morning you plan to install.