How Many Square Feet Are in a Pallet of Sod?
By Nick · Updated
A pallet of sod typically covers 450 to 500 square feet, which is 50 to 55 square yards. A 1,000 square foot lawn plus 5% extra needs 3 pallets of 450 square feet. Ask your farm what their pallet covers, because it varies.
Work out pallets for your lawnKey figures
- One pallet: typically 450 to 500 square feet.
Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
- 450 square feet = 50 square yards.
Source: Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
- Order 5% to 10% more sod than the measured lawn.
Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
How many pallets of sod do I need?
Measure the lawn in square feet, add 5 to 10% for cuts, and divide by what one pallet covers.
- Lawn: 1,000 square feet
- Plus 5%: 1,050 square feet
- ÷ 450 per pallet = 2.33, so 3 pallets
Always round up to the next whole pallet. If your farm sells part pallets, ask about it before ordering.
Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
It depends on the piece size. A 450 square foot pallet holds about 169 slabs of 16 × 24 inches, or 45 rolls of 2 × 5 feet.
Piece sizes vary by farm. Divide the pallet's square feet by the square feet of one piece.
Source: Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
How many pallets do common lawn sizes need?
With 5% extra, at 450 and 500 square feet per pallet:
| Lawn | To order | 450 sq ft pallets | 500 sq ft pallets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 525 sq ft | 2 | 2 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,050 sq ft | 3 | 3 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,100 sq ft | 5 | 5 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 3,150 sq ft | 7 | 7 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 5,250 sq ft | 12 | 11 |
Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
How much extra sod should I order?
5% to 10% more than the measured area.
Mississippi State Extension says about 5%; Purdue Extension says about 10%. Lawns with curves and beds to cut around need the higher end.
Source: Mississippi State University Extension, P2951; Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
Other questions
How many square yards are in a pallet of sod?
50 square yards in a 450 square foot pallet, and about 55.6 in a 500 square foot pallet.
Source: Purdue Extension, AY-28-W
How much does a roll of sod cover?
A 2 × 5 foot roll covers 10 square feet. A 16 × 24 inch slab covers 2.67.
How we worked this out
Pallet coverage and the extra to order come from Mississippi State and Purdue Extension. Piece sizes are common cuts, not a standard. Pallet counts are calculated by the same code as the sod calculator.
Sources
- Mississippi State University Extension, P2951
- Purdue Extension, AY-28-W