Grass Seed Calculator: Pounds per Lawn
This grass seed calculator works out how much seed to buy. Enter your lawn size in square feet (or length and width), choose the grass type, and pick a new lawn or overseeding an existing one. Each grass has its own seeding rate per 1,000 square feet: tall fescue needs far more seed than Bermuda grass, for example. You get the pounds of seed, the number of bags and the cost, so you do not run short halfway through or waste money on extra seed.
Grass Seed Calculator
Find how many pounds of grass seed you need for a new lawn or overseeding, by grass type.
How to use the Grass Seed Calculator
- Enter your lawn area in square feet or as length × width.
- Choose the grass type.
- Pick new lawn or overseeding.
- Read pounds of seed, bags and cost.
Grass seed formula
Pounds of seed = lawn area (sq ft) ÷ 1,000 × seeding rate (lb per 1,000 sq ft); overseeding uses about half the rate.
Features
- 12 common US grass types
- New lawn and overseeding rates
- Bags and cost
- Seeding tips by season
Frequently asked questions
How much grass seed do I need per 1,000 square feet?
It depends on the grass. Tall fescue needs about 6 to 8 lb for a new lawn, Kentucky bluegrass 2 to 3 lb, perennial ryegrass 7 to 9 lb and hulled Bermuda 1 to 2 lb.
How much seed do I need to overseed?
Overseeding uses about half the new-lawn rate, since grass is already growing.
How many square feet does a 3 lb bag cover?
With tall fescue at 7 lb per 1,000 sq ft, 3 lb covers about 430 sq ft. With Kentucky bluegrass at 3 lb, it covers about 1,000 sq ft.
When should I plant grass seed?
Plant cool-season grasses like fescue and bluegrass in early fall or spring. Plant warm-season grasses like Bermuda and zoysia in late spring once soil is above 65°F.
Can I use too much grass seed?
Yes. Seeding too heavily makes seedlings compete for light and water, which leads to thin, weak grass and more disease.