How the pallet count is worked out
The lawn area is length times width in square feet. Dividing that by the square feet on one pallet gives the pallet count, and the waste allowance is added before rounding up.
A standard pallet covers 450 square feet, which is 50 square yards. That is the figure most sod farms quote, though it is worth confirming with your supplier.
The count rounds up because a part pallet is not sold. A lawn of 1,200 square feet needs 2.8 pallets after waste, so order 3.
Worked example
A lawn 40 feet by 30 feet is 1,200 square feet, or 133.33 square yards. At 450 square feet per pallet that is 2.67 pallets, and adding 5 per cent gives 3 pallets.
Sod is cut in strips about 2 feet wide and 5 feet long, so a pallet holds roughly 60 to 75 pieces depending on the supplier.
Timing and preparation matter more than the count
Sod has to be laid within 24 to 48 hours of delivery, and it should be kept shaded and watered until it goes down. A pallet left in the sun will compost from the inside.
The ground needs 4 to 6 inches of improved topsoil, graded and firmed. Sod laid on loose soil leaves gaps and dries at the seams.
Water immediately and keep the first two weeks moist. Failure is almost always water, not quantity.
Limits of this calculator
It measures area only. It does not tell you how much topsoil or compost to buy, which is a separate volume calculation.
It does not account for slopes, which need pegging, or for shade tolerance, which decides the grass species.
It does not include the price. Sod is priced per square foot or per pallet, and delivery is often charged separately.
For metric roll coverage in square metres, use the UK turf calculator.
Inputs for the US turf calculator
Lawn length
Length of the area to sod in feet.
Lawn width
Width of the same area in feet.
Coverage per pallet
Square feet on one pallet. A standard pallet is 450 sq ft, or 50 sq yd.
Waste allowance
Extra for cuts at edges and corners. Five per cent is normal.
CALCULATOR QUESTIONS
US turf calculator questions
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
About 450 square feet, which is 50 square yards, though suppliers vary.
How quickly must sod be laid?
Within 24 to 48 hours of delivery, kept shaded and watered in the meantime.
How much topsoil do I need?
Four to six inches of improved topsoil across the area, which is a separate volume calculation.
How many pieces are on a pallet?
Roughly 60 to 75 strips, depending on the cut size and the supplier.