Did you know that different companies cut sod in different sizes? Given this fact, it can be challenging for homeowners to determine the square footage they will get in a pallet of sod. But it’s important to know how many square feet are in a pallet of sod. After all, you need to know how much sod to purchase for your project.
This article was last updated on by Lawn Chick Owner Sarah Jameson
Article content reviewed for accuracy by Horticulturist Arthur Davidson, A.S.
In today’s article, I’ll provide all the general information about how sod is cut and packed on pallets.
I’ll also share some average square footage numbers for you to get a rough estimate on how much coverage a pallet of sod will provide, and tell you exactly what to ask when ordering sod so you don’t buy too much (or run out before your project is complete.
Let’s dive in!
Key Information about Purchasing Sod by the Pallet
Every company packs their pallets differently and cuts sod in several different standard sizes. You will need to check with your vendor to be sure about what you are getting.
With that said, here are some average numbers that you can use as a rough guide.
So, How Many Square Feet are in a Pallet of Sod?
The average square footage of a pallet of turf grass sod is 450 square feet. Most pallets range between 400 and 700 square feet. This can vary quite a bit depending on the vendor and the advertised size. Factors such as how your sod is cut and how it is packed on the pallet will play a big role in how many square feet of sod will be included on each pallet you order.
As we will find later in this article, pallets themselves sometimes come in different sizes and have different names. Understanding this terminology is key to ordering the right amount of sod for your job.
One reason why it is so important to know how many square feet are in a pallet is because quotes for sod are often given to homeowners simply based on the number of pallets.
Without understanding the square footage of each pallet, it’s hard to know if you’re getting a good deal.
Tips for Ordering Your Sod
When ordering your sod, it is often best to order between 5 and 10 percent more than the lawn area you plan to cover.
Usually when you lay sod, you will need to fill some odd spaces and compensate for problems with measurement accuracy.
When planning how many pallets of sod to buy for your property, find out the square footage of your space first. You can use one of these online tools to estimate the square footage of your yard, or you can do it the old fashioned way with some basic measurements taken with a long tape measure and some simple math.
Once you determine your project size, find out how many square feet are in each pallet of sod from your producer or vendor.
With all that information, you will know how many pallets of sod you will need to cover your property.
You can also get an estimate on the weight of each pallet of sod and determine whether you can pick it up in your vehicle or if you’ll need to pay for delivery.
Factors Affecting How Many Square Feet in a Pallet of Sod
The number of square feet you get in a pallet of sod can be affected by factors such as moisture content, the harvester, grass type, and soil type.
The weight of the pallets for shipping and how high the pallets will stack also play a part.
When pallets have moisture content of over 50 percent, both the weight of each roll of sod as well as the pallets as a whole can increase significantly, and some vendors may pack less sod on the pallet to ensure the integrity of the shipment.
Names for Different Sod Shapes
You may find vendors using certain names for different cuts of sod. Understanding this terminology will help you to understand what you’re getting and then you can order the right amount for your job.
Let’s take a look at them below.
Slab
You are likely to find slabs in pallets available in the southern states of the United States. Slab pallets are typically available in sizes with 399 square feet, 454 square feet, and 503 square feet.
The types of grass most often found in sod slabs are St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bermuda, and Centipede.
Slabs tend to be rectangular in shape. With slabs, it’s especially important to find out the price per square foot (instead of just the price per pallet). Always remember that there can be variation in how many square feet you will get in a specific pallet.
Each rectangular slab of sod usually measures 16×24 inches (meaning that each slab of sod will generally cover 2.66 square feet).
Mini Hand Roll
The Mini Hand Roll is becoming more popular in northern sections of the United States. You can find pallets of mini hand rolls in 400, 450, and 500 square foot sizes.
Most often, you’ll find cool-season grasses in mini hand rolls. You can sometimes find Bermudagrass sod in this form.
Each mini hand roll will usually measure 40×18 inches in size. This means that each mini hand roll of sod will generally be able to cover about five square feet.
A pallet specified to cover 400 square feet will typically have 80 mini hand rolls.
Large Roll
Pallets with large rolls are most popular in northern parts of the United States. Pallets with large sod rolls are available in 500, 600, and 700 square foot sizes.
Some of the grasses that are likely to find in large rolls are Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue.
As is obvious in its name, the large roll form of sod comes in a roll. This is different than a slab, of course, which comes in a rectangular shape. In markets where large rolls are common, the pallets will usually have between 50 and 70 large rolls. Each large roll of sod will typically measure either 60×24 inches or 80×18 inches in size.
Mostly you’ll find these pallets go to professionals, rather than the DIY weekend warrior.
Pallet Square Footage by Sod Type (summary)
So to sum up the average square feet of sod per pallet you may find:
| Type of Sod Roll on Pallet | Typical Square Feet per Pallet |
|---|---|
| Slab | 399, 454, or 503 square feet per pallet |
| Mini Hand Roll | 400, 450, or 500 square feet per pallet |
| Large Roll | 500, 600, or 700 square feet per pallet |
Some Expert Tips for Successful Sod Installation
Aaron Patton, Assistant Professor–Turfgrass Extension Specialist at Purdue University, says that if the site where you plan to install sod “has perennial weeds or undesirable grasses, it is important to control these weeds before you install sod.” Patton talks about the example of quackgrass and creeping bentgrass.
If there is quackgrass or creeping bentgrass in the site, you can use a herbicide product to eliminate them. Aaron explains that “Glyphosate (Roundup and many other trade names) is the most commonly used herbicide for preplant weed control.” He reminds us to follow the product instructions and dilute the herbicide as required.
Personally, I don’t recommend homeowners use Glyphosate because of health issues associated with this herbicide. I have a homemade weed killer recipe here that you can try instead.
Always Know Your Stuff Before Ordering Sod!
Sod is expensive (but awesome!), so it’s clear that if you’re investing in sod for your yard you need to know how many square feet a pallet will cover before placing your order.
If you don’t have this information, you may easily end up ordering the wrong amount, leading to frustration, wasted time and money.
You can use the numbers quoted in this article as a rough guide, but always ask your sod producer or vendor for specifics before you make a purchase.
At Lawn Chick, I am committed to publishing accurate, useful, and trustworthy resources for my readers. As part of this commitment, I’ve invited subject matter experts to review our articles for accuracy. I invite you to read our editorial policy and publishing standards which outlines in detail how every article on this site is sourced, edited, fact-checked, and vetted.
-Sarah
Additional Resources
- Sod Installation and Maintenance by Jay McCurdy and Barry Stewart, Mississippi State University Extension (link)
- Establishing a Lawn from Sod by Aaron Patton, Turfgrass Management, Purdue Extension (link)
- Sod Installation and Maintenance by James Dewey McCurdy and Barry Stewart, Mississippi State University Extension (link)
