Grass Seed Calculator
Pick your grass type and enter your lawn area to get the pounds of seed needed for a new lawn.
What your result means
This is the seed for a new lawn at that grass type's standard rate per 1,000 sq ft. For overseeding an existing lawn, use about half. Cool-season grasses (bluegrass, fescue, rye) go down in early fall; warm-season Bermuda goes in late spring. Spread it evenly with a broadcast or drop spreader.
How to use this calculator
- Measure lawn area in sq ft.
- Pick grass type (Bluegrass, Fescue, Ryegrass, Bermuda).
- Read pounds of seed needed.
- Halve the rate for overseeding; full rate for a new lawn.
- Best planted in early fall or spring.
The formula
Each grass type has a seeding rate per 1,000 sq ft. Multiply your area in thousands of square feet by that rate for the pounds of seed.
Worked example
Say you're seeding a 2,000 sq ft lawn with tall fescue at 8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft. That's 16 lbs of seed for a new lawn, or about 8 for overseeding.
Seeding rates (lbs per 1,000 sq ft)
| Grass | New lawn | Overseed |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 2 | 1 |
| Tall Fescue | 8 | 4 |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 6 | 3 |
| Bermuda | 1.5 | – |
Tips & gotchas
- Kentucky Bluegrass: 2 lbs per 1,000 sq ft new, 1 lb to overseed.
- Tall Fescue: 8 lbs new, 4 to overseed.
- Perennial Ryegrass: 6 lbs for a new lawn.
- Bermuda: 1.5 lbs for a new lawn.
- Spread it evenly with a broadcast or drop spreader.
Frequently asked questions
How much grass seed for a 2,000 sq ft lawn?
Depends on the type. Fescue is 16 lbs, bluegrass 4.
When should I plant grass seed?
Cool-season grasses in early fall, warm-season in late spring.
Should I overseed?
Yes, annually. It adds density and fills bare spots.
How long does grass seed take to germinate?
Ryegrass 5 to 10 days, fescue 7 to 14, bluegrass 14 to 30.
How much does grass seed cost?
$3 to $6 a pound in bulk, $8 to $15 for premium blends.
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