How Much Sod Do I Need?
Sod is sold by the piece and stacked on pallets, so "how much" really means "how many pieces and pallets". Here is how to get the area right, add the right margin for cuts, and turn it into an order.
By the Calculate My Reno Team / Published
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Sod (also called turf) is pre-grown grass cut into pieces, so unlike paint or gravel you cannot buy “a bit extra” loose - you buy whole slabs or rolls, and they come stacked on pallets. The question is really how many pieces, and how many pallets, your lawn works out to.
The formula
Start with the area, add a margin for cuts, then divide by the coverage of one piece:
pieces = (area × waste) ÷ coverage of one piece
pallets = pieces ÷ pieces per pallet
Keep the area and the piece coverage in the same units, or let the sod calculator handle it - it returns the pieces, the pallets and the area in both square feet and square yards, and rounds up to whole pieces because you cannot buy half a slab.
Sod comes in pieces, not loose area
The piece size sets how many you buy, so check what your farm actually cuts:
| Piece | Covers | Per pallet (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| Slab, 16 × 24 in | ≈ 2.67 sq ft | ≈ 165-170 (≈ 450-500 sq ft) |
| Roll, 2 × 5 ft | 10 sq ft | ≈ 50 (≈ 500 sq ft) |
| Metric turf roll | 1 m² | ≈ 50 (≈ 50 m²) |
A pallet covers roughly 450 sq ft on average but can run from 400 to 540 sq ft, so treat the pallet figure as a guide and confirm it with your supplier.
How much to add for waste
| Lawn shape | Add |
|---|---|
| Simple rectangle, straight edges | 5% |
| Curves, slopes or a few beds | 10% |
| Awkward shape, lots of cuts | 15% |
Worked example
A 33 ft × 16 ft back lawn laid with 16 × 24 in slabs:
- Area: 33 × 16 = 528 sq ft.
- Add 5% for edge cuts: 528 × 1.05 = 554 sq ft to cover.
- Each slab covers 2.67 sq ft: 554 ÷ 2.67 = 208 slabs.
- At about 165 slabs a pallet: 208 ÷ 165 ≈ 1.3 pallets - so order one full pallet plus a part pallet, or round to two if the farm only sells whole pallets.
For an irregular lawn, split it into simple shapes - rectangles, plus a circle for a round lawn or an oval for a curved one - add one section per shape in the sod calculator, and it totals the area for you.
A few ordering tips
- Prepare and level the ground first - top up low spots with topsoil - so the bed is ready before delivery.
- Lay sod within 24 hours of delivery; it is living grass and dries out fast on the pallet.
- When your number lands just over a pallet, ask the farm about a part pallet rather than buying a whole one you barely use.
- Weighing up laying turf against sowing seed? See sod vs seed and how much does sod cost.
Frequently asked questions
How much sod do I need for my lawn?
Measure each part of the lawn, multiply length by width to get the area in square feet, add the sections together, then add about 5% for cuts at straight edges or 10% for curves and slopes. Divide that by the coverage of one piece - a 16 × 24 in slab covers about 2.67 sq ft, a roll covers 10 sq ft, and a metric turf roll covers 1 m². The sod calculator does this and rounds up to whole pieces and pallets for you.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
A standard pallet covers about 450 square feet, though it ranges from roughly 400 to 540 sq ft depending on the farm and grass type. That is usually around 165 to 170 slabs of 16 × 24 in sod, or about 50 of the larger 2 × 5 ft rolls. Pallet sizes vary between suppliers, so always confirm the coverage per pallet before you order.
How much extra sod should I order for waste?
Allow about 5% for a simple rectangular lawn with straight edges, 10% for a lawn with curves or slopes, and up to 15% for an awkward shape with lots of cuts around beds, paths and trees. Off-cuts rarely fit the next gap cleanly, so it is safer to round up than to be a piece short and wait for a second delivery that may not match.