How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Cover?

The short answer

A pallet of sod commonly covers somewhere around 400 to 500 sq ft (about 37 to 46 m²). The exact figure depends on the farm, the grass type and the size of the pieces. Some farms stack more or less to keep the pallet weight manageable, so always ask how many square feet are on their pallet.

How many rolls or slabs are on a pallet?

Divide the pallet coverage by the size of one piece.

In metric markets, rolls are often about 1 m², so a pallet holds roughly as many rolls as it covers square meters.

How many pallets do you need?

1. Measure the lawn and work out its area. Split odd shapes into rectangles, circles and triangles.
2. Add extra for trimming: about 5 percent for straight edges, 10 percent or more for curves.
3. Divide by the coverage of one pallet and round up, or ask the farm about part pallets and loose rolls.

pallets = lawn area × (1 + waste %) ÷ sq ft per pallet

Worked example

A front and back lawn add up to 2,000 sq ft. With 5 percent extra you need 2,100 sq ft, which is 210 rolls of 10 sq ft.

The difference between two farms' pallets changes the count, which is why it pays to use the supplier's real figure. The sod calculator lets you enter it directly.

How heavy is a pallet of sod?

Heavy. Fresh sod carries soil and water, and a full pallet commonly weighs more than a ton. Wet sod after rain weighs more than sod cut in dry weather. That is far more than most pickups and small utility trailers are rated to carry, so most homeowners pay for delivery. Ask the farm for the weight of their pallets, and confirm the delivery truck can reach the spot you want without crossing a septic field, soft lawn or a fragile driveway edge.

Plan the delivery around laying day

Sod is a living product cut shortly before delivery. Stacked on a pallet, it heats up and starts to yellow, especially in warm weather. Plan so the soil is prepared before the truck arrives, and lay it the same day.

• Have the soil cleared, loosened, raked level and lightly firmed in advance.
• Get help. One person can lay a pallet, but two or three people make the job much faster.
• Start along a straight edge such as a driveway or path, and stagger joints like brickwork.
• Keep pallets waiting in shade and lay the oldest stacks first.
• Water each section soon after laying, rather than waiting until the whole lawn is down.

Is fall a good time to lay sod?

In cool-season regions, fall is often a good time. Air temperatures are milder, rain is steadier and the soil is still warm enough for roots to grow. The sod needs a few weeks to knit into the soil before the ground freezes, so check when your local farms stop harvesting for the year. If the season closes before you are ready, use the winter to plan: measure the yard, choose the grass and book a spring delivery.

Warm-season sod such as Bermuda or zoysia roots best while it is actively growing, from late spring into summer.

Questions to ask before you order

• How many square feet are on one of your pallets, and what size are the pieces?
• Do you sell part pallets or loose rolls?
• Is there a pallet deposit or a charge for returning the wooden pallet?
• What does delivery cost, and can the truck place pallets where I need them?
• When will the sod be cut, and which grass variety is it?

Sod or seed?

Sod gives an instant lawn and is less sensitive to weeds and erosion in its first weeks, but costs more per square foot and is heavy work. Seed is cheaper and lighter, but takes weeks to fill in and needs careful watering. For seed quantities, see the grass seed calculator.

Frequently asked questions