The formula
Area to order = lawn area (sq ft) × (1 + extra %) Pieces = area to order ÷ area of one piece Pallets = area to order ÷ sq ft on a pallet
Example: a 20 × 30 ft lawn is 600 square feet. With 5% extra you order 630 square feet: 236 pieces of 16 × 24 inches, or 1.4 pallets of 450 square feet, so 2 full pallets.
Quick answers for common lawn sizes
| Lawn area | Pieces (16 × 24 in) | Pallets | Full pallets to order |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 sq ft | 40 | 0.23 | 1 |
| 250 sq ft | 99 | 0.58 | 1 |
| 500 sq ft | 197 | 1.17 | 2 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 394 | 2.33 | 3 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 787 | 4.67 | 5 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 1,967 | 11.67 | 12 |
Before the sod arrives
Sod should go down the day it is delivered. Prepare the ground first: clear old grass and weeds, loosen the soil and spread 4 to 6 inches of topsoil if the ground is poor (the topsoil calculator works out how much). Lay pieces in a brick pattern with tight seams, and water deeply right away.
Sources and assumptions
Pallet sizes vary by farm, usually 400 to 500 square feet, so change Square feet per pallet to match your supplier. 5% extra covers cutting around curves and beds; use 10% for odd shapes.
Questions
How much does a pallet of sod cover?
Usually 400 to 500 square feet; 450 is common. Ask your farm, as it varies.
How many pieces of sod are on a pallet?
About 168 pieces of 16 × 24 inches on a 450 square foot pallet; farms often round to 170 or 180.
How many pallets of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
About 2.3 pallets of 450 square feet with 5% extra, so order 3.
References and review
Units convert with exact definitions: 1 ft = 12 in = 0.3048 m, 1 yd³ = 27 ft³. Results round up to whole bags, sheets and pieces so you don’t come up short. Last reviewed October 19, 2026. If your bag, pallet or supplier lists a different figure, use theirs: change the matching field above.