How the sod calculator works
Turf farms sell by area, but the lorry arrives with rolls stacked on pallets, and the rolls have to be laid the same day they are cut. Ordering too few leaves a bare strip while you wait for another harvest; ordering far too many leaves rolls yellowing on the drive. The calculator adds up the lawn, applies a margin for trimming and turns the total into rolls or slabs and pallets.
Rolls = (length × width + extra area) × (1 + margin) ÷ area of one rollThe margin covers the offcuts lost when you stagger joints and trim along edges. A plain rectangle wastes little, so 5% is enough; curved borders, island beds, tree circles and paths create many angled cuts, which is why the options go up to 15%. The pallet equivalent helps when a supplier only delivers full pallets or charges a delivery fee per pallet.
Worked example
A new back lawn is 10 m by 6 m, or 60 m². With a straight outline, a 5% margin takes the order to 63 m², which means 63 rolls of 1 m². The farm stacks 50 m² per pallet, so the order is 1.26 pallets: two part-loaded pallets, or ask whether they sell half pallets. In the US, a 33 × 20 ft yard is 660 ft²; with 5% it becomes 693 ft², so 70 rolls of 10 ft², or 260 slabs of 16 × 24 in, which is just over 1.5 pallets of 450 ft².
Standard sod and turf sizes
| Format | Area per piece | Typical pallet | Where sold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard roll, about 1.65 × 0.61 m | 1 m² (10.8 ft²) | 40–60 rolls | UK and Europe |
| Roll 2 × 5 ft | 10 ft² (0.93 m²) | 45–50 rolls (450–500 ft²) | US and Canada |
| Slab 16 × 24 in | 2.67 ft² (0.25 m²) | 150–180 slabs (400–480 ft²) | US, often warm-season grass |
| Big roll, machine laid | 10–30 m² (100–300 ft²) | Varies | Sports fields, large sites |
Fresh sod is heavy: roughly 15–25 kg per square metre (3–5 lb per ft²) depending on soil and moisture, so a full pallet can weigh around a tonne. Check that the delivery vehicle can reach the lawn or where it will unload.
Preparing and laying
Remove the old grass and weeds, loosen the ground and spread 10–15 cm (4–6 in) of good topsoil if the existing soil is poor. Rake it level and firm it with light treading so the finished turf sits about 1–2 cm (½ in) below paths and edging. Start along the longest straight edge and lay the rolls in a brick pattern so the short joints never line up. Push each edge tightly against the last without stretching, and stand on a plank rather than the new turf.
Common mistakes
- Ordering before the soil is ready. Cut turf should be down within 24 hours in summer; in hot weather rolls start to heat and yellow on the pallet.
- Using small pieces at the edges. Short offcuts on the perimeter dry out first; place full rolls at the edges and fit cut pieces inside.
- Light watering. Soak new sod until the soil beneath is wet, about 2.5 cm (1 in) of water, then keep it moist daily for the first two weeks until roots grip.
- Mowing too soon. Wait until a gentle tug no longer lifts the turf, usually two to three weeks, and set the mower high for the first cuts.
Frequently asked questions
How many rolls of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?
With 10 ft² rolls you need 100 rolls for exactly 1,000 ft², or 105–110 with a 5–10% cutting margin. That is a little over two pallets of 450–500 ft².
How much turf do I need for a 10 x 6 m garden?
A 10 × 6 m lawn is 60 m²; add 5% for trimming and order 63 m², which is 63 standard 1 m² rolls.
How many square feet are on a pallet of sod?
Most US farms load 400 to 500 ft² per pallet, commonly 450 ft². In Europe a pallet usually carries 40 to 60 m² of 1 m² rolls.
Is sod better than seed?
Sod gives a usable lawn in two to three weeks and resists erosion at once, but costs several times more than seed per square metre. Seed is cheaper and offers more grass varieties but needs months to fill in.
How long can sod sit on a pallet before laying?
Lay it the same day in warm weather and within 24–48 hours in cool weather. Keep the pallet in shade and unroll any pieces that start to feel warm inside.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-27 · How we calculate