How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Cover?

Discover how to calculate your sod needs

Father and son playing with water guns in the yard
Photo: Jacob Lund / Adobe Stock
Father and son playing with water guns in the yard
Photo: Jacob Lund / Adobe Stock
Breyden Kellam
Written by Breyden Kellam
Contributing Writer
Updated February 12, 2024

Highlights

  • One pallet of sod covers around 450 square feet. 

  • Pallets average between 400 to 500 square feet, depending on the supplier.

  • Measure the entire area of your lawn to determine the number of pallets needed. 

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Once you’ve decided to lay sod instead of growing grass from seed, the next step is to figure out the amount of sod you need and how much a pallet of sod covers. This essential step will help you budget correctly and set your lawn makeover project up for success. 

If you’re buying by the pallet, it’s important to know how much a pallet of sod covers. Read on to learn more about sod, how much lawn a pallet covers, when to hire pro sod services, and how to calculate the total number of pallets for your project. 

What Is Sod? 

A speedy alternative to grass seed, sod is grass that’s already been grown and is sold ready-made for your landscaping needs. When you purchase sod, you’ll receive a roll of grass, soil, and roots. This setup makes it easy to achieve a lush lawn within hours as opposed to waiting months for grass seeds to germinate and mature. 

For high-quality results, be sure to hire a local sod service to install your sod. These pros can also provide top-notch advice on how to maintain your new lawn and help it grow to its fullest potential.

How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Cover?

Pallets of sod sitting on the curve
Photo: Mariusz Blach / Adobe Stock

You can buy sod by the pallet, roll, per square foot, or per square yard. It’s most common for sod to be sold by the pallet or square foot. On average, one pallet of sod costs between $150 and $300 and covers 450 square feet of lawn. 

Half of a pallet can cover around 225 square feet. Pallets usually come in measurements of 400, 450, or 500 square feet, but you may be able to find pallets up to 700 square feet. One pallet can weigh up to 3,000 pounds, so be sure to have a team of professionals ready to dismantle and lay the sod.

Sod Pallet Calculator

Calculations based on the cost of purchasing two sod pallets to cover 810 square feet of lawn. Calculations rounded to the nearest whole number.

Measurement InputResult
Area’s square footage810 square feet
Additional 5%–10%900 square feet
Number of sod pallets needed2 pallets

How to Calculate Pallet Quantity 

Once you know how much one pallet of sod covers, follow these steps to figure out how many pallets of sod you’ll need. 

  1. Draw a sketch of the area to be sodded. Divide the area into shapes (squares, rectangles, triangles, and circles) based on the layout of your lawn. 

  2. Measure the length and width in feet of each area. Then, write down the measurements. 

  3. To measure the area of a square or rectangle, multiply length times width. For a triangle, multiply ½ by the base and height. Your area should be in square feet. 

  4. Add up all of your measurements to find the entire area’s square footage. Then, add 5-10% to make sure you’ll have enough sod. 

  5. Lastly, divide the total square feet by the number of square feet in your pallet. For example, if you determine that your area is 400 square feet and there are 450 square feet in one pallet, you’ll need to purchase one pallet. 

  6. Use an online sod calculator to double-check your calculations. 

  7. Once you have an estimated pallet quantity, hire a local sod company and discuss next steps.  

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Learn more about our contributor
Breyden Kellam
Written by Breyden Kellam
Contributing Writer
Breyden is passionate about writing for the cost-conscious homeowner who wants to update their space for maximum enjoyment. When she isn’t reading up on the latest home design trends, she can be found looking for creative ways to spruce up her own space.
Breyden is passionate about writing for the cost-conscious homeowner who wants to update their space for maximum enjoyment. When she isn’t reading up on the latest home design trends, she can be found looking for creative ways to spruce up her own space.
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