Home / Landscaping & Yard

Landscaping & Yard

Grass Seed Calculator — How Much Seed Do I Need?

Enter your lawn dimensions to estimate the pounds of grass seed for a new lawn. Overseeding an existing lawn takes about half as much.

Units
Seed needed

How this calculator works

We multiply length × width for area, then apply a typical new-lawn rate of about 7.5 lbs of seed per 1,000 sq ft. Overseeding uses roughly half that.

What changes how much you need

  • Rates vary by grass type — check the bag; tall fescue and ryegrass seed heavier than Kentucky bluegrass.
  • New lawn ≈ 6–8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft; overseeding ≈ 3–4 lbs.
  • Buy about 10% extra to thicken thin spots and edges.
  • Good seed-to-soil contact matters more than piling on extra seed.

Frequently asked questions

How much grass seed per 1,000 square feet?

About 6–8 lbs for a new lawn and 3–4 lbs for overseeding, depending on the grass type.

Is more seed better?

No — seeding past the recommended rate makes seedlings compete and can weaken the stand. Follow the bag rate.

When should I plant grass seed?

Early fall is ideal for cool-season grasses; late spring for warm-season types.