How Much Turf Is on a Pallet of Sod?

If you are planning a new lawn in Van Alstyne, Anna, or another North Texas community, the first number to know is simple: one pallet of sod usually covers about 594 square feet. That estimate helps you compare pallet pricing, measure your yard, plan delivery, and avoid running short when cuts, curves, sidewalks, trees, and bed edges start using more grass than the clean math suggested.

Need a faster estimate? Use McCraw Landscape Supply’s estimate how many sod pallets your lawn needs tool to measure your lawn, then request a quote so our team can confirm sod availability, pallet coverage, pickup, and delivery options.

Most homeowners do not order sod every year, so the process can feel more complicated than it needs to be. A pallet is sold by coverage, not just by weight or physical size. The right order depends on your measured square footage, the grass variety, your yard shape, and the amount of waste you should allow for trimming. This guide walks through the full calculation, with North Texas-specific advice for Bermuda and Zoysia sod projects.

Quick Answer: How Many Square Feet Does a Pallet of Sod Cover?

A standard pallet of sod from McCraw Landscape Supply covers about 594 square feet. That is the working number to use when you are estimating pallets for a residential lawn, new construction yard, side yard repair, or contractor installation.

Coverage can vary by supplier, farm, harvest method, grass variety, and moisture level, so the safest move is to confirm the square footage per pallet before you order. McCraw lists sod products by the pallet and can confirm current coverage when you call, visit the yard, or submit a quote request.

For a simple rectangular yard, you may only need a small cushion. For a yard with curved beds, patios, fence lines, trees, drainage swales, or an irregular shape, build in more waste so the crew can finish cleanly without a second delivery.

How to Calculate How Many Sod Pallets You Need

The basic formula is straightforward:

Total lawn square footage divided by 594 = estimated pallets needed.

After that, round up and add a waste factor. Sod is not like mulch or gravel, where a small shortage can sometimes be blended into the project. If you run out of sod halfway through a final row, you may need another pickup or delivery, and the next pallet may not match the first batch as closely because it could be harvested at a different time.

Step 1: Measure the lawn area

Start by measuring the spaces that will actually receive sod. Do not include driveways, sidewalks, patios, porches, pool decks, sheds, landscape beds, or areas you plan to cover with stone or mulch. If the lawn is a rectangle, multiply length by width. A 30-foot by 40-foot backyard equals 1,200 square feet.

If the yard is not a clean rectangle, divide it into smaller shapes. Measure the main rectangle first, then add side strips, curved corners, and narrow runs along the driveway or fence. The goal is not perfection down to the inch. The goal is a realistic square footage number that gives your supplier enough information to recommend the right pallet count.

Step 2: Divide by 594 square feet

Once you have the total area, divide it by 594. For example, a 1,800-square-foot lawn divided by 594 equals 4 pallets. A 2,250-square-foot lawn divided by 594 equals 5 pallets. A 2,700-square-foot lawn divided by 594 equals 6 pallets.

The math becomes especially useful when you are comparing project options. If you are choosing between replacing only the front yard or doing the full front and side yard together, the pallet count gives you a practical way to compare material needs before you schedule delivery.

Step 3: Add 5 to 10 percent for waste

Most North Texas residential lawns should include a waste factor of at least 5 percent. Use 10 percent when the yard has curves, multiple beds, tight gates, diagonal seams, heavy trimming, or a lot of small pieces around hardscape. New construction lots can also require extra planning because final grading may reveal small low spots or edges that were not obvious during the first measurement.

Here is a simple example. If your measured lawn is 2,000 square feet, divide by 594. That equals 4.45 pallets. Add 10 percent for cuts and curves, and the adjusted need is about 4.9 pallets. In practical ordering terms, that is 5 pallets.

Planning Bermuda or Zoysia for a larger yard? Review McCraw’s sod options and confirm your pallet count before delivery so the full installation can be completed with one fresh order.

How to Measure Irregular Lawns Without Overthinking It

Most yards in Anna and Van Alstyne are not perfect rectangles. They include builder-grade bed lines, curved sidewalks, side yards, utility boxes, fence returns, and strips between the driveway and property line. That is normal. The easiest way to measure an irregular lawn is to break it into sections and add them together.

Use the section method

Sketch the yard on paper and label each section. A front yard might include the main lawn, a side strip, a parkway strip, and a small area by the porch. Measure each section as a rectangle or square when possible. If a section is triangular, multiply base by height, then divide by 2. If a section is curved, measure it as a rectangle and let the waste factor handle the trim.

This method is fast, accurate enough for ordering, and much better than guessing from the curb. It also helps when you talk with the McCraw team because you can explain where the sod is going and which areas may require extra cutting.

Use the calculator for a cleaner estimate

If you would rather not do the math manually, the area calculator can help you estimate project size before ordering. This is especially useful when you are comparing sod with related soil prep materials or when you need to communicate quantities to a contractor.

Why North Texas Lawns Need a Little Extra Sod

Ordering exactly to the measured square foot sounds efficient, but it is rarely the best call for sod. North Texas yards create several situations where extra turf prevents headaches.

• Curved beds and sidewalks: Sod must be trimmed to fit cleanly, and those cuts create unusable scraps.
• Fence lines and narrow strips: Long, skinny areas often require more cuts than open lawn areas.
• Clay soil and grading adjustments: Many North Texas lots have clay-heavy soil, so final leveling can slightly change the install area.
• New construction edges: Fresh lots in fast-growing communities may have rough transitions near driveways, sidewalks, and drainage areas.
• Batch consistency: Ordering enough the first time helps keep color, cut, and freshness more consistent across the lawn.

That does not mean you should overbuy by several pallets. It means you should order the correct calculated amount, then add a reasonable cushion. For most residential projects, 5 to 10 percent is the practical range.

What Does a Pallet of Sod Cost?

Pallet of sod cost depends on the turf variety, farm availability, season, delivery distance, and whether you need related prep materials. Instead of relying on outdated online price ranges, use the current product pages or request a quote for live availability and pricing.

The most useful cost calculation is price per square foot. If one pallet covers about 594 square feet, divide the pallet price by 594. For example, if a pallet were priced at $X, the material cost per square foot would be $X divided by 594. Multiply that by your adjusted square footage to compare the full lawn cost between grass types.

Remember to plan for the complete project, not just the pallet. Your total sod budget may include:

• Sod pallets
• Delivery or trailer pickup logistics
• Soil amendments, sandy loam, topsoil, or compost for prep
• Removal of existing grass or weeds
• Labor if you are hiring an installer
• Watering setup for establishment

For contractors, this matters because a small material miscalculation can affect bid accuracy and crew efficiency. For homeowners, it helps prevent the surprise of budgeting only for the grass while forgetting the prep work that helps sod root successfully.

Bermuda vs. Zoysia: Does Grass Type Change Pallet Coverage?

At McCraw Landscape Supply, both Bermuda and Zoysia sod are planned around pallet coverage that makes project estimating straightforward. The bigger difference is not usually the square footage per pallet. It is the right grass for the site conditions and budget.

Bermuda sod for full-sun, high-traffic lawns

Bermuda sod is a strong fit for many North Texas lawns because it handles heat, sun, and traffic well. It is commonly used for residential yards, sports fields, commercial properties, and other full-sun turf areas. If your lawn receives at least 5 hours of direct sun and you want a durable warm-season grass, Bermuda is often the practical choice.

Zoysia sod for premium texture and some shade tolerance

Zoysia sod is a premium warm-season option with a dense, soft feel and better shade tolerance than Bermuda. It can be a better fit for lawns with filtered light, patios, trees, or homeowners who want a thicker, more carpet-like appearance. Zoysia typically costs more than Bermuda, so accurate measuring matters even more.

Halfway through your planning and still choosing a grass? Bring your measurements, sunlight conditions, and project timeline to McCraw, or request a quote so the team can help match the right sod to your yard.

Delivery Planning: How Many Pallets Can Your Project Handle at Once?

Sod is perishable. Once it is cut and stacked, the clock starts. In warm North Texas weather, you want the site prepped before delivery and a plan for laying the sod quickly. Do not schedule sod before the old grass is removed, the grade is set, and irrigation or watering access is ready.

Before ordering, think through access for your Anna landscape supply yard pickup or delivery plan. Can a delivery truck reach the driveway or staging area? Is there room to place pallets without blocking the street, sidewalk, garage, or other trades? Will a contractor have enough crew on site to install the sod the same day? If you are doing the work yourself, can you realistically lay the number of pallets you order before the grass sits too long?

For large projects, talk with McCraw’s Van Alstyne landscape supply location about delivery timing and staging. Contractors may want all pallets delivered at once for crew efficiency. Homeowners doing a DIY install may prefer a project size they can handle without letting fresh sod sit in the heat.

Simple Ordering Examples for North Texas Yards

Use these examples as a starting point, then confirm your actual measurements.

Small front yard repair: 650 square feet

A 650-square-foot repair divided by 594 equals 1.45 pallets. With waste, you are likely looking at 2 pallets. This is common for front yard sections, side yards, or replacing damaged turf after construction work.

Average backyard replacement: 1,800 square feet

An 1,800-square-foot backyard divided by 594 equals 4 pallets. If the yard is mostly rectangular, 4 pallets may work. If there are curved beds, a patio, or a pool edge, plan for 5 pallets.

Full lawn refresh: 3,200 square feet

A 3,200-square-foot lawn divided by 594 equals 7.1 pallets. Add a 5 to 10 percent cushion and you are likely in the 8-pallet range. At this size, delivery planning and site preparation become especially important.

Common Sod Ordering Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is measuring too casually. A quick guess from the porch may seem close, but a shortage of even 100 square feet can leave a visible unfinished area. The second mistake is forgetting waste. Every curve, bed line, and sidewalk edge requires cuts. The third mistake is waiting too long to install after delivery, especially during hot weather.

Another mistake is comparing pallet prices without checking pallet coverage. One supplier’s pallet may not cover the same square footage as another supplier’s pallet. Always compare the price per square foot and confirm the grass variety, freshness, delivery terms, and service support.

FAQ: Sod Pallet Coverage and Ordering

How much turf is on a pallet?

A typical pallet of sod covers about 594 square feet. Confirm coverage before ordering because pallet size can vary by supplier and harvest method.

How many pallets of sod do I need for 1,000 square feet?

Divide 1,000 by 594, which equals 2.22 pallets. After rounding up and allowing for waste, most 1,000-square-foot projects need 3 pallets.

Should I order extra sod?

Yes. Most residential projects should include 5 to 10 percent extra for cuts, curves, trimming, and small measuring differences.

Can I use leftover sod somewhere else?

Usually, yes, if it is still fresh. Use leftover pieces to patch thin areas, fill edges, or repair small strips, but do not plan on storing sod for long.

When should sod be installed in North Texas?

Warm-season sod such as Bermuda and Zoysia establishes best during the active growing season, generally late spring through early fall when soil temperatures are warm.

Ready to Order Sod by the Pallet?

A pallet of sod usually covers about 594 square feet, but the best order is based on measured area plus a realistic waste factor. Measure the yard, divide by 594, round up, and add 5 to 10 percent for cuts and curves. Then confirm the grass variety, pallet coverage, current pricing, and delivery schedule before installation day.

Ready to price your project? Start with the area calculator, compare McCraw’s Bermuda and Zoysia sod options, and request a quote for North Texas pickup or delivery planning.