How much sod do I need?
Measure the lawn in square feet, divide by 9 for square yards, then add 5–10% for cuts and waste.
square yards to order = square feet ÷ 9 × 1.10
Purdue Extension's own example: a lawn of 3,779 sq ft is 420 square yards, and adding 10% (42 square yards) gives an order of 462 square yards.[1] Mississippi State Extension suggests about 5% extra.[2] Use 10% for lawns with curves, beds and trees to cut around, and 5% for a plain rectangle. Measure with a tape or measuring wheel, leave out the house, drive and planting beds, and split odd shapes into rectangles and triangles: the irregular area guide and the square yard calculator show how.
Sod sizes: rolls, slabs and pallets
Most sod comes in rolls of 9–10 sq ft or slabs of about 3 sq ft, stacked on pallets of roughly 450–500 sq ft.
| Piece | Size | Square feet | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roll | 24 in × 5 ft | 10 | [1] |
| Roll | 18 in × 6 ft | 9 | [1] |
| Slab | about 18 × 24 in (varies by cutter) | 3 | [1] |
| Pallet | 50 square yards | 450 | [1] |
| Pallet | varies by farm | 450–500 | [2] |
Big rolls are also sold, but they need special laying equipment.[2] Ask your supplier for the exact pallet size, because it decides the pallet count; the calculator shows the range for 450 and 500 sq ft pallets.
Sod for common lawn sizes
A 1,000 sq ft lawn needs 123 square yards with 10% extra, which fills three pallets of 450 sq ft.
| Lawn | Square yards (net) | Square yards +10% | Pallets of 450 sq ft | Pallets of 500 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 56 | 62 | 2 | 2 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 111 | 123 | 3 | 3 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 222 | 245 | 5 | 5 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 333 | 367 | 8 | 7 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 556 | 612 | 13 | 11 |
| 10,000 sq ft | 1,111 | 1223 | 25 | 22 |
Sod is heavy: about 35–40 lb per square yard, so a full pallet can weigh close to a ton.[1][2] Check what your vehicle and trailer can carry before you collect it yourself.
Soil and compost before you lay sod
Sod roots into the top 6–8 inches, so that layer is where amendments go.
Purdue Extension recommends mixing compost, peat or decomposed manure at 1–3 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft into the native soil at least 6–8 inches deep; where topsoil is needed, about 19 cubic yards make a 6 inch layer over 1,000 sq ft.[1] Mississippi State puts the amended zone at the top 6–10 inches.[2] Size those orders with the compost calculator and the topsoil calculator.
When to lay sod
Lay sod as soon as it arrives: fresh-cut sod has a short shelf life, so finish preparing the soil before delivery.[2]
- Warm-season grasses (bermudagrass, zoysia, centipede, St. Augustine): professionals lay sod all year unless the ground is frozen or too wet; spring-laid sod usually needs only occasional watering on top of rain.[2]
- Cool-season grasses (tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass): fall is the best time; lawns sodded in spring and summer cope less well with drought in their first year.[1]
Spring jobsIf you are sodding in spring, plan the extra watering in the first summer and order soil and compost early, when suppliers are busiest.
Common sod ordering mistakes
- No extra: trimming around beds and curves uses 5–10% more than the measured area.[1][2]
- Using tiny offcuts: pieces narrower than 9 inches or shorter than 18 inches dry out; Purdue advises against them.[1]
- Mixing up square feet and square yards: 1 square yard is 9 square feet.[3]
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need?
Square feet ÷ 9 = square yards; add 5–10% for waste. A 2,000 sq ft lawn needs about 245 square yards with 10% extra.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
How much does a pallet of sod weigh?
Is sod sold by the square foot or the square yard?
Both are common; one square yard equals 9 square feet.[2]