Grass Seed Calculator
Work out how many pounds of grass seed you need for a new lawn or for overseeding, based on your lawn size and grass type, plus which bag sizes to buy.
Lawn Area
Job
Grass Type
Your Seed Estimate Will Appear Here
Enter your lawn size, choose the job and grass type, then click “Calculate Seed Needed.”
Seed & Lawn Supplies Worth a Look
Hand-picked products to help you get the best results on your project.
Tall fescue
Tall Fescue Grass Seed
- ✓Tough, drought-tolerant
- ✓Good for sun and part shade
- ✓Cool-season lawns
Scotts
Broadcast Spreader
- ✓Even seed coverage
- ✓Adjustable settings
- ✓Also spreads fertilizer
Starter fertilizer
Lawn Starter Fertilizer
- ✓Supports new roots
- ✓Apply at seeding
- ✓Follow the label rate
Grass seed mulch
Seed Starting Straw / Mulch Mat
- ✓Keeps seed moist
- ✓Reduces washout
- ✓Discourages birds
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How the Estimate Works
Rate × area
Each grass has a seeding rate in pounds per 1,000 sq ft. We multiply by your lawn area and suggest buying the high end of the range.
New lawn vs. overseeding
Overseeding a thin lawn uses roughly half the new-lawn rate, since existing grass fills much of the space.
Timing matters
Sow cool-season grasses in late summer to early fall, and warm-season grasses in late spring to early summer, when soil is warm.
Seed for a 5,000 sq ft Lawn
| Grass | Rate (lb / 1,000 sq ft) | New lawn | Overseeding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall fescue | 6–8 | 30–40 lb | 15–20 lb |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2–3 | 10–15 lb | 5–7.5 lb |
| Perennial ryegrass | 5–7 | 25–35 lb | 15–20 lb |
| Fine fescue | 4–5 | 20–25 lb | 10–15 lb |
| Bermudagrass (hulled) | 1–2 | 5–10 lb | 2.5–5 lb |
| Zoysiagrass | 1–2 | 5–10 lb | 2.5–5 lb |
Typical rates; always follow the rate printed on your seed bag. Mulching bare beds nearby? Try the mulch calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the grass. Tall fescue needs about 6 to 8 lb per 1,000 sq ft for a new lawn, Kentucky bluegrass 2 to 3 lb, and perennial ryegrass 5 to 7 lb. Overseeding uses roughly half. Always check the rate on your seed bag.
For a new tall fescue lawn, about 30 to 40 lb; for overseeding, 15 to 20 lb. Kentucky bluegrass needs about 10 to 15 lb for a new lawn.
Cool-season grasses (fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) do best sown in late summer to early fall. Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, zoysia, centipede) should go in during late spring or early summer once the soil is warm.
Yes. Seeding far above the recommended rate makes seedlings compete for water, light and nutrients, which can leave a weaker, disease-prone lawn. Stick to the label rate.