Sod, also known as turfgrass, refers to the upper layer of soil held together by a dense mat of grass roots that is harvested and sold for immediate installation. While dimensions can vary slightly by farm and region, the most common standard size for a piece of sod is 10 square feet. This standardized measurement helps in accurate purchasing and project planning for a new lawn project.
Standard Dimensions of a Single Sod Roll
The standard piece of sod that homeowners typically purchase for residential projects is designed for manual handling and installation. This piece most often measures 2 feet wide by 5 feet long, calculating precisely to 10 square feet of coverage area. The 5-foot length allows the sod to be easily rolled up into a manageable coil after being cut from the field.
Some suppliers may use slightly different dimensions while maintaining the 10 square foot area, such as a piece that is 18 inches (1.5 feet) wide by 6.67 feet long. However, the 2-foot by 5-foot format is the most prevalent for its balance of coverage and ease of transport. The thickness of a typical roll ranges from about three-quarters of an inch to one inch, including the grass blades and the underlying soil and root mass.
A single 10-square-foot roll can weigh between 15 and 25 pounds, depending on the moisture content and soil type, though it can be heavier after rainfall. This relatively light weight makes it the favored format for home delivery and do-it-yourself installations.
Variations in Sod Formats and Sizes
While the 10-square-foot roll is standard for retail customers, sod is also sold in larger formats for different project scales. For most large residential or commercial projects, sod is delivered stacked on pallets containing multiple small rolls or slabs. A typical pallet holds between 400 and 500 square feet of sod, though some suppliers may stack up to 600 square feet.
The sod on these pallets may be cut into smaller slabs, common in the southern United States, where pieces might measure 16 inches by 24 inches, covering approximately 2.67 square feet each.
For extremely large-scale installations, such as golf courses or sports fields, “Big Rolls” or “Maxi Rolls” are used. These rolls are significantly larger, often measuring 42 inches wide by 65 feet long (up to 225 square feet) or 4 feet wide by 84 feet long (336 square feet). These massive rolls, which can weigh over 1,000 pounds, require specialized machinery like forklifts for installation, making them impractical for the average homeowner.
Calculating Your Sod Order
To determine the number of sod pieces needed, the first step is to accurately calculate the total area to be covered in square feet. For a simple rectangular or square area, multiply the length by the width. For areas with irregular shapes, break the space down into smaller, measurable squares, rectangles, and triangles, then sum the areas of these smaller sections.
Once the total square footage is known, divide this number by the area of a single sod piece (typically 10 square feet) to find the number of rolls to order. This calculation provides the raw quantity but does not account for necessary waste during installation.
Waste Factor
A small amount of extra sod is always needed to account for trimming, shaping around landscape features, and cutting straight edges. It is standard practice to add a waste factor to the calculated raw quantity. For simple, mostly rectangular areas, adding 5% to the total square footage is sufficient. For complex landscapes with many curves or irregular borders, increasing the waste factor to 10% ensures enough material is on hand to complete the job.