Grass Seed Calculator
Calculate pounds of grass seed by grass type for new lawns or overseeding.
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What this tool does
The Grass Seed Calculator applies the recommended seeding rate for your grass species — full rate for bare soil, roughly half for overseeding — to your lawn area to give pounds of seed and bags to buy.
How to use the Grass Seed Calculator
- Enter your lawn area (use the Lawn Area Calculator if unsure).
- Choose your grass type.
- Choose new lawn or overseeding.
- Enter the bag size you're buying.
Formula
Seed (lb) = Area ÷ 1,000 × Rate
- Area
- Square feet
- Rate
- lb per 1,000 sq ft for the species and job
Worked example
A new 5,000 sq ft tall fescue lawn using 5 lb bags.
Inputs
- Lawn area5000 sq ft
- Grass typeTall fescue
- JobNew lawn (bare soil)
- Bag size5 lb
Result
- Seed needed40 lb
- Bags (5 lb)8
- Seeding rate8 lb / 1,000 sq ft
Seeding rates (lb per 1,000 sq ft)
| Grass | New lawn | Overseeding |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2.5 | 1.25 |
| Tall fescue | 8 | 4 |
| Perennial ryegrass | 7 | 3.5 |
| Fine fescue | 4 | 2 |
| Bermuda (hulled) | 1.5 | 0.75 |
| Zoysia | 1.5 | 0.75 |
| Centipede | 0.5 | 0.25 |
| Buffalograss | 3 | 1.5 |
| Bahiagrass | 7 | 3.5 |
Results explained
- Seed needed
- Total weight of seed.
- Bags
- Whole bags at the size entered.
- Seeding rate
- Rate applied for your choices.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on species: 6–8 lb for tall fescue, 2–3 lb for Kentucky bluegrass, 1–2 lb for hulled Bermuda.
About half the new-lawn rate.
Yes. Overcrowded seedlings compete for light and water and are prone to disease.
Early fall for cool-season grasses; late spring to early summer for warm-season grasses.
Yes. Coatings can make up half the weight; increase the rate per the label.