One of the most common calls we get is from homeowners who aren’t sure how much sod to order. Get it right and the job goes smoothly. Order too little and you’re making a second trip while your first pallet is sitting in the heat. Order too much and you’ve paid for grass you don’t need.
Here’s how to figure out exactly what you need.
How Sod Is Sold
Sod is sold by the pallet. One pallet covers approximately 450 square feet. That’s the standard at Castillo Grass and most sod suppliers in the Austin area.
Pallets are stacked pieces of cut sod, typically in rolls or slabs. The weight varies by grass type and moisture, but a full pallet is heavy — plan for delivery unless you have a large pickup truck.
How to Measure Your Yard
Step 1: Break it into rectangles
Don’t try to measure the whole yard as one shape. Break it into rectangles and measure each one separately. Length × width = square feet.
Example:
- Front yard: 40 ft × 25 ft = 1,000 sq ft
- Side yard: 60 ft × 8 ft = 480 sq ft
- Back yard: 50 ft × 35 ft = 1,750 sq ft
- Total: 3,230 sq ft
Step 2: Add up the totals
Add all your rectangles together for the total square footage.
Step 3: Add 5–10% for waste
Odd shapes, cuts around trees, edges, and the occasional damaged piece mean you’ll always use a bit more than the raw measurement. Add 5% for a clean square or rectangular yard. Add 10% for an irregular yard with trees, beds, curves, or tight corners.
The formula:
Total sq ft ÷ 450 = pallets needed (round up) Then add 5–10% for waste
Quick Reference Table
| Lawn Size | Pallets Needed |
|---|---|
| 450 sq ft (small front yard) | 1 pallet |
| 900 sq ft | 2 pallets |
| 1,800 sq ft | 4 pallets |
| 2,700 sq ft | 6 pallets |
| 4,500 sq ft | 10 pallets |
| 9,000 sq ft (about ¼ acre) | 20 pallets |
| 18,000 sq ft (about ½ acre) | 40 pallets |
Common Mistakes
Measuring only the parts you’re going to sod right now. If you know you’re going to do the backyard in a few months, consider doing it all at once. Multiple delivery trips add cost, and sod prices can change.
Not accounting for beds and hardscape. Subtract out flower beds, concrete, driveways, and anything that won’t be getting grass. A common mistake is measuring the whole yard boundary without subtracting the 400 sq ft patio and the 200 sq ft of beds.
Not ordering enough. It’s better to have one extra pallet than to be short at the end of the job. You can use leftover sod to patch spots or fill in areas you didn’t originally plan to do.
Do You Need Topsoil Too?
If you’re on a new construction lot, or if your yard soil is poor, compacted, or bare clay — add topsoil first. We recommend 2–4 inches of enriched topsoil spread over the area before laying sod. It makes a huge difference in how the grass roots and performs in the first season.
One cubic yard of topsoil covers about 100 sq ft at a 3-inch depth. So for a 1,000 sq ft yard, you’d want roughly 10 cubic yards of topsoil.
We sell bulk topsoil by the yard, and we can deliver both the sod and topsoil in the same order.
Just Call Us
If math isn’t your thing, call us at (936) 510-0964 and tell us:
- The rough dimensions of your yard
- What you’re laying it on (new construction, existing lawn, etc.)
We’ll tell you exactly what to order in about two minutes. We do this every day.
Get a free quote or call (936) 510-0964 — same-day quotes available.