Grass Seed Calculator
Find out exactly how many pounds of grass seed you need. Works for new lawns and overseeding — fescue, bluegrass, bermuda, and ryegrass.
Quick Answer
Most cool-season grasses (fescue, ryegrass) need 6–8 lbs per 1,000 sq ft for a new lawn. Kentucky Bluegrass needs only 2–3 lbs. Bermudagrass is 1–2 lbs. Overseeding uses roughly half those amounts. Always add 10% extra.
Lawn Area
Grass Type
Planting Method
Enter your lawn dimensions to calculate seed needed.
💡 Rates per 1,000 sq ft — fescue & ryegrass 6–8 lbs, bluegrass 2–3 lbs, bermuda 1–2 lbs
What to Buy
The right grass seed for your region, a good spreader, and starter fertilizer are the three things that matter most. Everything else is optional.
Grass Seed by Type
- Tall Fescue seed (16 lb bag) — most common cool-season choice
- Kentucky Bluegrass seed — slow to establish, very dense
- Bermudagrass seed — warm-season, full sun only
- Perennial Ryegrass seed — fastest germination of any grass
Spreaders & Tools
- Broadcast spreader — best for areas over 1,000 sq ft
- Hand broadcast spreader — small areas and patch repairs
- Lawn roller — press seed into soil after spreading
- Starter fertilizer — apply at seeding, not before
Also going from bare soil to lawn? Use the Topsoil Calculator to figure out how much topsoil to prep the seedbed first. Our Lawn Soil Prep Guide covers the full order of operations before seeding.
Prefer to hire it out?
Lawn seeding and overseeding is one of the most cost-effective services to hire. Get a free estimate from local lawn care professionals at Angi.
Grass Seed Rates by Type
These are standard seeding rates for bare soil. Overseeding into existing turf uses roughly half. The calculator adds a 10% buffer to account for uneven spreading and missed patches.
| Grass Type | New Lawn | Overseeding | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tall Fescue | 6–8 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | 3–4 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | Cool-season |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | 2–3 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | 1–1.5 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | Cool-season |
| Bermudagrass | 1–2 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | 0.5–1 lb / 1,000 sq ft | Warm-season |
| Perennial Ryegrass | 6–8 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | 3–4 lbs / 1,000 sq ft | Cool-season |
Considering a low-maintenance lawn alternative? Compare options in the Clover Lawn vs Grass guide, or calculate micro clover seed with the Clover Lawn Calculator.
Before You Order
- ☐Confirm your climate zone matches your grass type — warm-season grasses do not survive cold winters
- ☐Test soil pH and amend to 6.0–7.0 before seeding — it matters more than most homeowners realize
- ☐If overseeding, mow the existing lawn short and rake out thatch before spreading
- ☐Seed in early fall (cool-season) or late spring after soil hits 65°F (warm-season)
- ☐Water lightly 2–3 times per day for the first 10–14 days to keep the seedbed moist