How many square feet of sod are on a pallet?
The calculator uses 45 rolls of 10 sq ft, which is 450 sq ft per pallet. Pallet sizes vary by grower, commonly between 400 and 500 sq ft, so check with your supplier before you order.
Sod Calculator: Square Feet to Rolls, Pallets and Topsoil
Enter the size of your lawn and the calculator returns the number of sod rolls and pallets to order, with an allowance for cuts, and the cubic yards and tons of topsoil you need for the base underneath. Split an irregular lawn into rectangles or circles, one zone each.
1. Material Grade & Project Dimensions
Area: 1,500.0 sq ft (139.35 m²)Net Vol: 9.26 cu yd (7.08 m³)
2. Material Takeoff, Blueprint & Cost
Total Volume & Tonnage (incl. waste)
9.72 cu yd · 10.24 US tons
7.43 m³ · 9.29 t (20,475 lbs)
Total Material Weight
10.24 US tons
20,475 lbs (78 lb/ft³)
Store Bags (40-lb)
512 bags
262.5 cu ft (7,433 L)
Total Project Area (Net)
1,500.0 sq ft
139.4 m² (+5% Waste)
Sod Rolls & Pallets (for area)
158 rolls
3.5 pallets (@ 450 sq ft/pallet)
Cost Break-Even: Bulk Dump Truck vs. Store Bags
Bulk Delivery saves $1,226
Bulk Dump Truck (10.24 US tons + $85)
$454
512 × 40-lb Hardware Store Bags
$1,679
Show Step-by-Step Formula & Takeoff Math
Net Area = 1,500.00 sq ft (139.35 m²)
Net Volume = 250.00 cu ft ÷ 27 = 9.26 cu yd
With +5% Allowance = 9.72 cu yd (7.43 m³)
Weight = 262.50 cu ft × 78 lb/ft³ = 20,475 lbs = 10.24 US tons (9.29 t)
How much sod do you need?
Sod is sold in rolls that cover 10 sq ft each, and the calculator counts 45 rolls, or 450 sq ft, to a pallet. Measure the lawn in square feet, add a cutting allowance and divide by 10. Example: a 50×30 ft lawn is 1,500 sq ft. With 5% extra for cuts at the edges that is 158 rolls or 3.5 pallets.
Sod needs loose, level soil underneath. The calculator therefore also converts the lawn area and a base depth into topsoil: a 2 in base under the 50×30 ft lawn is 9.72 cu yd, about 10.2 US tons of screened topsoil. Change the depth field if your soil needs more.
Order the sod for the day you plan to lay it, because rolls dry out quickly on the pallet. For curved beds, slopes and many edges raise the allowance from 5% to 10%. Real roll sizes and pallet counts differ by grower, so confirm them when you order.
Sod rolls, pallets and topsoil base by lawn size (5% allowance, 2 in base)
| Lawn | Area | Sod rolls | Pallets | Topsoil base |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20×25 ft | 500 sq ft | 53 | 1.2 | 3.24 cu yd |
| 25×40 ft | 1,000 sq ft | 105 | 2.3 | 6.48 cu yd |
| 30×50 ft | 1,500 sq ft | 158 | 3.5 | 9.72 cu yd |
| 40×50 ft | 2,000 sq ft | 210 | 4.7 | 12.96 cu yd |
| 50×100 ft | 5,000 sq ft | 525 | 11.7 | 32.41 cu yd |
| 100×100 ft | 10,000 sq ft | 1,050 | 23.3 | 64.81 cu yd |
Frequently Asked Questions & Field Guide
How many rolls of sod do I need for 1,000 sq ft?
For 25×40 ft, which is 1,000 sq ft, the calculator gives 105 rolls with the 5% allowance, or 2.3 pallets. Without any allowance it would be exactly 100 rolls.
How much extra sod should I order?
Use 5% on simple rectangles and 10% when the lawn has curves, slopes or lots of edges, since every cut leaves scraps. Change the Waste field to see the effect on rolls and pallets.
How much topsoil do I need under sod?
A common base is 2 to 4 in of loose topsoil. For 1,000 sq ft the calculator shows 6.48 cu yd at 2 in and 12.96 cu yd at 4 in, both with the 5% allowance. That is 6.8 and 13.7 US tons of screened dry topsoil.
Related calculators & tools
Topsoil, Raised Bed & Sod Calculator
Free topsoil calculator and sod calculator: convert lawn or raised garden bed dimensions into cubic yards, tons, 40-lb bags, and sod pallets.
Cubic Yards to Tons Converter
Convert cubic yards, cubic feet and cubic meters to tons for 24 materials, with a density table.