Installing sod provides an immediate, lush lawn, but ordering the correct amount is challenging. Sod is perishable and must be laid shortly after delivery, making accurate measurement necessary for budgeting and project success. Understanding the square footage a single pallet covers is the fundamental first step. Without precise calculations, homeowners risk delays from under-ordering or wasted material from over-ordering, which can compromise the quality of the finished lawn.
Standard Coverage of a Sod Pallet
The most common coverage for a full, standard pallet of sod in North America is between 400 and 500 square feet. This range provides the baseline figure for most residential lawn projects. Many suppliers define a standard pallet as containing 500 square feet, which often translates to 50 individual rolls.
Individual pieces of turf are cut into manageable sizes, such as hand rolls or slabs. A frequent size for a sod roll is 2 feet wide by 5 feet long, covering 10 square feet per piece. In regions where sod is sold as smaller slabs, common dimensions might be 16 inches by 24 inches, covering approximately 2.66 square feet per piece.
The total square footage is determined by how many rolls or slabs are stacked onto the pallet base. For example, a 500 square foot pallet consists of 50 of the 10 square foot rolls. The total weight of a single pallet is substantial, ranging from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds depending on moisture content.
Variables That Change Pallet Coverage
Standard coverage is not universal, as several characteristics can alter the total square footage per pallet. The type of turf being harvested is a primary factor, as different grass varieties have distinct growth patterns and root densities. Denser grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, may require a different cutting and stacking method compared to finer-bladed grasses like Bermuda.
Sod thickness is another variable, as a thicker cut contains more soil and root mass, increasing the weight per roll. Since transportation limits the maximum weight a pallet can bear, a thicker cut means fewer rolls or slabs can be stacked, reducing the total square footage. The thickness of the harvested sod typically ranges from three-quarters of an inch to one inch of soil and root layer.
Regional and supplier stacking practices introduce variability into the standard pallet size. While 400 to 500 square feet is common, some suppliers offer pallets up to 600 or 700 square feet, particularly with large rolls used in commercial applications. Some farms define their pallet size by weight instead of a strict area measurement, meaning square footage can fluctuate based on the sod’s moisture level on the day of harvest.
Calculating Your Total Sod Needs
Determining the exact number of pallets required begins with accurately measuring the area to be covered. Homeowners should measure the length and width of their lawn in feet, breaking down irregular shapes into simpler geometric forms like squares, rectangles, and triangles. Calculating the square footage of each section and adding them together establishes a precise total area.
Once the total square footage is determined, apply a waste factor to the final measurement. This extra material accounts for necessary trimming and fitting around obstacles, garden beds, and the perimeter. A general recommendation is to add 5 to 10 percent to the total calculated area to ensure a seamless installation.
The final step is converting the total required square footage into the number of pallets. Divide the adjusted total area by the coverage of the specific pallet being purchased. For instance, if a lawn requires 1,100 square feet and the supplier’s standard pallet is 500 square feet, the calculation results in 2.2 pallets. Rounding up to three full pallets is necessary to ensure the entire area is covered.