How much sod for a yard?
Sod is sold by the square foot, and by the pallet (about 450 sq ft each). The amount you need is simply your lawn area plus about 5% for trimming and waste. So a 1,000 sq ft yard takes about 1,050 sq ft of sod — roughly 3 pallets. Here's the math, the pallet count, and the cost by yard size.
The math
Unlike seed, sod isn't a coverage rate — one square foot of sod covers one square foot of ground. So:
- Lawn area = length × width (add up rectangles for odd shapes)
- Sod to order = lawn area × 1.05 (the ~5% trim allowance)
- Pallets = sod to order ÷ 450, rounded up
For a 1,000 sq ft yard: 1,000 × 1.05 = 1,050 sq ft → 1,050 ÷ 450 = 2.3 → 3 pallets.
Sod and cost by yard size
| Yard size | Pallets (450 sq ft) | Sod cost ($0.30–$0.80/sq ft) | Installed ($1–$2/sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 sq ft | 2 | $150–$400 | $500–$1,000 |
| 1,000 sq ft | 3 | $300–$800 | $1,000–$2,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 5 | $600–$1,600 | $2,000–$4,000 |
| 5,000 sq ft | 12 | $1,500–$4,000 | $5,000–$10,000 |
Pallet counts round up — buy a little extra rather than coming up short, since sod can't wait while you reorder. Small patches can be bought by the individual piece or roll instead of a full pallet.
Different size, or comparing with seed?
The grass seed calculator gives your lawn's square footage (the amount of sod to order) and works out seed too, so you can compare.
Open the Grass Seed CalculatorOrder and lay it the same day
Sod is a living product — it's harvested fresh and should go down within 24 hours of delivery, so prep first and schedule delivery for laying day. Before it arrives: kill or remove the old grass, loosen and rake the soil level, and work in a starter fertilizer. Lay the slabs in a brick-like staggered pattern with tight seams, roll it to press the roots into contact with the soil, then water deeply right away and keep it moist for the first two weeks while it roots.
Sod vs. seed
- Sod — an instant, weed-free lawn you can usually walk on in about two weeks. Costs more, and must be laid fresh.
- Seed — far cheaper and more grass-variety choice, but takes weeks to fill in and needs careful watering. Compare amounts and cost on the grass seed calculator.
- Either way, prep wins. Loosen and level the soil and add starter fertilizer first — it's the difference between a lawn that thrives and one that struggles.