What to buy
Pallets, or pallets plus pieces?
At typical prices, 2 pallets + 135 pieces costs $846.38. 3 pallets would cost $900, so this mix saves $53.63.
With "Pallets" picked, the calculator compares buying only whole pallets with buying fewer pallets and covering the rest with loose pieces, and shows the cheaper one. It uses your price where you entered one and the middle of the typical range where you did not. A tie goes to whole pallets.
- Loose pieces help when the last pallet would be mostly left over. For a 1000 sq ft lawn (1050 sq ft with 5% extra), 3 pallets cost $900, while 2 pallets + 57 pieces cost $704.03.
- Pallets are delivered by truck, so a delivery fee is added whenever you buy one. Pieces-only orders have no delivery line, since you can carry them yourself.
- Type the prices from your supplier above and the mix updates.
How it works
The formula
sod to buy = lawn × (1 + extra)
pallets = sod to buy ÷ 450 sq ft, rounded up
pieces = sod to buy ÷ 2.67 sq ft, rounded up
Assumptions
- A pallet covers about 450 sq ft. Farms differ, usually between 400 and 500 sq ft, so check with your supplier and type your number in. A smaller pallet can mean 4 pallets for the example lawn instead of 3.
- A piece is 16 × 24 in, which is 2.67 sq ft, so a pallet holds about 169 of them. Rolls and big slabs are cut differently, so change the piece size to match what you are quoted.
- Extra for cuts: 5% for a simple shape, 10% for curves and beds. Sod is cut to fit at edges, and a curve wastes more of each piece.
- Delivery uses the shared fee range for a truck load. It varies with distance, so enter yours.
- Topsoil for prep, and any fertilizer or starter mix, are not priced here.
- Metric: type meters, m² per pallet and cm per piece. Sizes convert to feet and inches for the math, and prices stay per pallet or per piece.
Worked example
A 30 × 40 ft lawn, 5% extra, 450 sq ft pallets
- Lawn: 30 × 40 = 1,200 sq ft
- Add 5%: 1,200 × 1.05 = 1,260 sq ft
- Pallets: 1,260 ÷ 450 = 2.80, so buy 3 pallets (1,350 sq ft)
- Cheapest mix at typical prices: 2 pallets + 135 pieces, $846.38 before delivery
Common lawn sizes
| Lawn | With 5% | Pallets | Pieces | Cheapest buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 525 sq ft | 2 | 197 | 1 pallet + 29 pieces |
| 1,000 sq ft | 1,050 sq ft | 3 | 394 | 2 pallets + 57 pieces |
| 2,000 sq ft | 2,100 sq ft | 5 | 788 | 4 pallets + 113 pieces |
| 5,000 sq ft | 5,250 sq ft | 12 | 1,969 | 11 pallets + 113 pieces |
5% extra, 450 sq ft pallets, 16 × 24 in pieces. The last column is the cheapest pallet buy at typical prices, before delivery.
Questions people ask
How much sod do I need?
Measure the lawn in sq ft, add 5% for cuts (10% for curves), and divide by what one pallet covers. A 30 × 40 ft lawn is 1,200 sq ft, 1,260 sq ft with 5% extra, so 3 pallets. With 10% extra it is 1,320 sq ft.
How many square feet are in a pallet of sod?
About 450 sq ft is a middle figure, and farms sell pallets of roughly 400 to 500 sq ft. For the same lawn that is 4 pallets at 400 sq ft and 3 at 500. Ask your supplier what theirs holds and type it in.
How many pieces are on a pallet of sod?
For 16 × 24 in pieces (2.67 sq ft each), a 450 sq ft pallet holds about 169 pieces. Other piece sizes change the count, so enter yours.
When should I lay sod?
As soon as it arrives, and within 24 hours of delivery. Stacked sod heats up and yellows quickly. Prepare the ground first: rake it level and add topsoil where needed, then lay the pieces tight with staggered seams and water well. Spring and fall, when it is mild, are the easiest times.
How much extra sod should I order?
5% for a simple shape and 10% if the lawn has curves or beds. For the 30 × 40 ft lawn, no extra at all would be 3 pallets, against 3 with 5%. Order a little over rather than come up short, because a second delivery costs another fee.