Installing a new sod lawn offers several great advantages over other planting methods such as starting grass seed, springing, and plugging.
Notably (and regardless of the type of grass seed you plant) a sod green lawn is an instant lawn. This allows you to quickly start using your yard for daily activities like playing or entertaining.
On the flip side, a sod landscaping project has a higher initial cost and the choice of species can be limited.
To help with your budget, it is good to know how many square feet of sod is on a pallet. Not only can this save you money, but knowing how many square feet the pallet of sod will cover can ensure you cover your whole lawn. Afterall, if you don’t buy enough, you will be left with unattractive empty spaces.
How Big is a Piece of Sod?
Sod can come in different sizes and dimensions but the standard size is 16-inches wide by 24-inches long.
16 inches is the common size because it’s small enough for little yards, yet big enough to buy in multiples for larger yards.
Each sod farm will cut its product differently. Some cut in sections that are 5 feet wide and 9 feet long and others 80-inches long and 8-inches wide.
You can also have sod cut to your preferred dimensions and have the rolls or pieces delivered to your home (delivery costs may apply).
I recommend asking your local sod dealer for the square feet sizes they have available. You can then gauge how many square feet of sod you will need for the size of your area.
How Wide is Sod?
Just like sod length, there is no set standard of how wide a sod slab or sod roll will be. The width of sod is again determined by the dealer but usually measures between 16 inches to 18 inches wide.
You can buy sod pieces or sod rolls. Sod rolls typically have wider widths that can go up to 24 inches. Knowing the width of the sod is just as important as the length and will make it easier for the sod installation process. Here’s a great guide on the dimensions of sod rolls.
How Thick is a Piece of Sod?
The thickness of sod depends on several factors, most notably the species of grass and its root depth.
To give you an idea, the thickness of sod ranges between 1 1/2 to 3 inches. To determine the thickness of sod you need, an easy method is to look at the soil on the sidewalk.
If the soil type in your yard is 3 inches below the sidewalk, the thickness of sod you need is roughly the same, which is 3 inches.
How Much Does a Roll of Sod and Slab of Sod Weigh?
Both sod rolls and slabs can be quite heavy, with some tipping the scales between 15 lbs to 30 lbs each.
The weight will depend on how thick the grass species is, its thickness, and its root depth. It will also depend on the moisture content – sod with more water will be heavier initially, but get lighter as the water dries.
How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Weigh?
An average pallet of sod can weigh anywhere between 1500 lbs to 4000 lbs. However, some experts say a pallet of sod can weigh between 2500 lbs and 3000 lbs.
The weight depends on grass varieties, the pieces of sod per pallet, the moisture content, and the type of pallet used. Most sod pallets are made from wood, but the type of wood and size of the pallet contributes to the weight of the pallet.
It is important to check the weight of each pallet with the sod farm and plan the delivery. Most cars, SUVs, and full-size pickups are not equipped to handle this weight. Some vendors may offer a 3-hour express delivery for an added fee.
How Much Does a Pallet of Sod Cover?
Sod pallets are available in:
| Slabs | Comes in 399, 452, or 503 sq. ft |
| Mini hand rolls | Comes in 400, 450, and 500 sq. ft. |
| Large rolls | Comes in 500, 600, and 700 sq. ft. |
Slabs of Palletized Sod
In the Southern United States, most sod is sold in rectangular slab pallets. Each rectangular slab measures 16 x 24 inches and covers 2.66 square feet.
Pallets in the south are available in several grass types including Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and St. Augustine grass, and are sold in 400, 450, or 500 square feet in size.
When buying sod, it is important to know the price per square foot of sod and not what the pallet of sod costs.
Even though single rectangular slabs cover 2.66 square feet each, and result in irregular numbers (399, 452, and 503 square feet) sod dealers sell them as 400, 450, and 500 square feet pallets and add an extra slab or two to cover the deficit.
Mini Rolls
Mini-rolls of sod have become increasingly popular in recent years and are mostly available in Northern cool-season markets.
Mini hand rolls measure approximately 40 x 18 inches and each roll size covers 5 square feet. This equates to 80 rolls on a 400-square-foot pallet, 90 rolls on a 450-square-foot pallet, and 100 rolls on a 500-square-foot pallet.
Larger Rolls
A larger roll of sod will measure either 60 x 24 inches or 80 x 18 inches, and cover 10 square feet of a yard.
Larger rolls of sod are sold in the northern cool-season markets and cover 500, 600, or 700 square feet. Common cool-season grasses include Kentucky Bluegrass and tall fescue.
How Many Pallets of Sod Do I Need?
It is important to take basic measurements of your yard – the length and the width – to determine how much sod you will need. This will ensure you don’t buy too many or too few pallets of sod.
Knowing the exact size of your lawn will also help you purchase the right amount of fertilizer, herbicides, and other lawn care products needed to keep your turf grass lush.
Once you’ve noted these numbers, it will be easier for you to buy the right number of sod pallets you need to cover your entire yard. This guide will help you determine the number of pallets of sod you need.
How to Measure the Size of My Yard for Sod Installation?
Measuring the size of your lawn may seem like a complicated task, but there are 2 tools you can use to get near-accurate measurement. You can also use a tape measure to determine how many square feet are in your lawn.
1. Measure My Lawn
Measure My Lawn is a free online tool. Simply enter your address with your city and zip to get started.
2. Google Maps
To determine how many square feet are in your lawn with Google Maps, take the following steps:
- Search your property
- Bring up the bird’s eye view
- Select a starting point
- Select “Measure Distance”
- Trace the points around your lawn, continuing until you are back at the starting point.
Do I need a Full Pallet of Sod?
This depends on the size of your yard. If you have a large lawn, it’s a good idea to buy a full pallet plus 10 percent more sod than the measurements indicate. This reduces the risk of falling short during installation.
Professional installation companies recommend buying extra sod because it makes up for the cutting and waste during the installation process.
Final Thoughts
There is no definite answer to how many square feet are on a pallet of sod. This will depend on several factors such as the sod farm, the type of sod, and root growth.
Sod farms offer a wide range of sod varieties, sold mainly in rectangle slabs and rolls. Sod farms also provide pallets for different yard areas such as 500, 600, or 700 square feet.
The cost of sod will vary across sod retailers. The average price to purchase sod is between $0.35 to $0.85 per square foot. This doesn’t include the cost of laying sod.
Before you go purchasing sod, it’s important to determine the grass type and measure the square footage of your yard. Then, don’t forget to add 10 percent to the square footage so you don’t fall short during installation.
You will also have to arrange transportation to pick up the sod as even a full-size pickup truck may not be able to handle the load.
Hi, Alex Kuritz here. Growing up I remember that my family had one of the best lawns in the neighborhood. Richly green and lush. I did a lot as I grew up in terms of caring and tending for not only my family’s lawn but also my neighbors. I can say I have years of experience, and I am here to share it with you.
