Grass Seed Calculator: How Much Seed Do You Need?

How to work it out

Measure the lawn and leave out beds, paths and the house.
Find the seeding rate on the bag. It is usually given in pounds per 1,000 sq ft, with separate rates for a new lawn and for overseeding.
Enter the rate and the bag weight.
Read off the pounds of seed and the bags to buy.

Common seeding rates

Grass	New lawn / overseeding, lb per 1,000 sq ft
Tall fescue	About 6 to 8 / 3 to 4
Perennial ryegrass	About 6 to 8 / 3 to 4
Kentucky bluegrass	About 2 to 3 / 1 to 2
Fine fescue	About 4 to 5 / 2 to 3
Bermudagrass, hulled	About 1 to 2 / 0.5 to 1

These are common starting points. Your site, climate and supplier may call for something different.

Use the rate on your bag

These are typical ranges only. Seed mixes, coated seed and different varieties have their own rates, so the rate printed on your bag comes first.

Timing

Cool-season grasses such as fescue and ryegrass usually do best sown in early autumn or spring. Warm-season grasses such as Bermuda are usually sown in late spring or early summer. Check what suits your area.

Common questions

How much grass seed do I need per 1,000 sq ft?

It depends on the grass. A new tall fescue lawn often needs about 6 to 8 lb per 1,000 sq ft, while Kentucky bluegrass needs about 2 to 3 lb. Follow the rate on your bag.

How much seed do I need for overseeding?

Usually about half the new-lawn rate. Use the overseeding rate on the bag if it gives one.

How do I convert per 1,000 sq ft to per acre?

Multiply by 43.56, because an acre is 43,560 sq ft.

Doing this job for a customer? Turn your numbers into a free written estimate on QuoteToPaid.

Grass seed calculator