Last updated: October 2026
How much grass seed do I need?
Short answer: Divide your lawn area in square feet by 1,000, then multiply by your grass type's seeding rate — for example, a 2,000 sq ft Tall Fescue lawn needs 16 lbs of seed. Overseeding needs about half the new-lawn rate. The calculator above does the full math, converts to bags, and estimates your cost.
Seeding rates by grass type
| Grass type | New lawn (lbs / 1,000 sq ft) | Overseeding (lbs / 1,000 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 3 | 1.5 |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 8 | 4 |
| Tall Fescue | 8 | 4 |
| Fine Fescue | 5 | 2.5 |
| Bermudagrass | 2 | 1 |
| Zoysia | 2 | 1 |
These are widely used average rates — always check your specific seed bag label, since coated seeds and blends can differ.
How to measure your lawn
Measure the length × width of each rectangular section of your lawn in feet and add them up. For irregular lawns, split them into rectangles and calculate each separately. If you measured the full lot, subtract the house footprint, driveway, and patios — you only seed actual grass.
Frequently asked questions
How much grass seed do I need per 1,000 square feet?
It depends on the grass type: Kentucky Bluegrass needs about 3 lbs per 1,000 sq ft, Perennial Ryegrass and Tall Fescue about 8 lbs, Fine Fescue about 5 lbs, and Bermudagrass and Zoysia about 2 lbs. These are new-lawn rates — always check your seed bag label for exact coverage. For general lawn care background, including mowing and watering, see the overview on Wikipedia.
How much seed do I need for overseeding?
Overseeding needs roughly half the new-lawn rate. The calculator's Overseeding tab applies this half rate automatically — just pick your grass type and enter your lawn size.
How do I measure my lawn for seeding?
Measure the length and width of each rectangular section of your lawn in feet and multiply them. For irregular lawns, split them into rectangles, calculate each, and add them together. Subtract driveways, patios, and the house footprint if you measured the full lot.
How many bags of grass seed do I need?
Divide the total pounds of seed by the bag size, then round up — you can't buy part of a bag. The calculator does this and estimates your cost if you enter the price per bag.
Is my project data private?
Completely. Every calculation runs locally in your browser with JavaScript — your measurements are never sent to a server, stored, or tracked.