How Much Sod Do I Need? Rolls, Pallets and Square Feet

1,000 square feet of lawn needs about 1,050 square feet of sod with 5% extra, which is 105 rolls of 10 sq ft (2 × 5 ft) or 2.3 pallets of 450 sq ft. The sod calculator works it out for your own lawn, with the roll size and a cost estimate.

Sod for common lawn sizes

With 5% waste, in rolls of 10 sq ft and pallets of 450 sq ft:

How to lay sod

1. Prepare the ground. Loosen the soil, remove stones and weeds, add topsoil or compost, and rake it level and about an inch below paths and drives so that the sod ends up flush.
2. Order for the day. Sod must be laid within 24 hours of delivery.
3. Start along a straight edge, such as a path or a driveway, and lay the rolls tight against each other with the seams staggered like bricks.
4. Cut the sod to fit around beds and curves with a sharp knife.
5. Roll it with a lawn roller so that the roots touch the soil.
6. Water at once and keep it moist for the first two weeks: the soil under the sod should be damp. Stay off it until it has rooted (usually 2 to 3 weeks).

Tips

• Measure the lawn in sections, and add them up. See the square footage guide.
• Add 5% for a simple rectangle and 10% for curves and a lot of cutting.
• Lay sod in cool weather if you can: spring and fall are best for cool-season grasses, and late spring and summer for warm-season grasses.
• Do not leave sod rolled up for more than a day: it yellows and heats up.

Compare the cost and timing in the sod vs grass seed guide, and prepare the soil with the topsoil calculator. Estimates only: confirm the amount with your supplier.

Frequently asked questions