5,000 sq ft at 4 lb / 1,000 sq ft
Input
5,000 sq ft · 4 lb rate · new lawnOutput
20 lb seed5 × 4 = 20 pounds — standard cool-season new lawn.
Grass seed quantity is **area × rate**, with rate expressed as **pounds per 1,000 square feet** — the standard on US grass seed bags.
**Imperial formula:**
Seed (lb) = Lawn area (sq ft) ÷ 1,000 × Rate (lb per 1,000 sq ft)
**Example — 5,000 sq ft new lawn, 4 lb / 1,000 sq ft:**
5,000 ÷ 1,000 × 4 = **20 pounds**
**Example — 2,500 sq ft overseed, 2 lb / 1,000 sq ft:**
2,500 ÷ 1,000 × 2 = **5 pounds**
**Metric approach:**
Convert area to square meters or use seed rate in kg per 100 m² if your label is metric:
Seed (kg) = Area (100 m² units) × Rate (kg per 100 m²)
**Example — 500 m² at 3 kg per 100 m²:**
5 × 3 = **15 kg**
Rates vary by **grass species**, **seed purity**, and **project type**:
Buy **5–10% extra** for spreader overlap, sloped areas, and buffer strips. Seed bags are often 3, 5, 10, 25, or 50 lb — round up to whole bags.
The calculator multiplies lawn area by the seeding rate per 1,000 square feet (imperial) or per 100 m² (metric) to estimate total seed weight.
Formula
lb = area(sq ft) ÷ 1000 × rate(lb/1000 sq ft) | kg = area(100 m²) × rate(kg/100 m²)Tap 5,000 sq ft suburban, ¼ acre, 50×30 ft, or 400 sq ft patch — or enter your own dimensions. Measure turf only; subtract beds and hardscape.
Tap New lawn, Overseeding, Patch repair, or Dense shade on the main form — each sets a typical seeding rate you can adjust.
Grass type chips set new-lawn rates (overseed ≈ half). Imperial uses lb / 1,000 sq ft; metric uses kg / 100 m² from your seed label.
Results show seed to buy, base weight, best retail bag fit, and a 5 / 10 / 25 / 50 lb bag table — round up to whole bags.
Enable the buffer on the main form for overlap passes and edge trimming — 10% is the default on slopes and large lots.
Bare soil projects need grading and topsoil before seed — use Topsoil Calculator for volume, then return here for seed pounds.
Input
5,000 sq ft · 4 lb rate · new lawnOutput
20 lb seed5 × 4 = 20 pounds — standard cool-season new lawn.
Input
2,500 sq ft · 2 lb rateOutput
5 lb seed2.5 × 2 = 5 pounds for thin turf refresh.
Input
10,000 sq ft · 5 lb rateOutput
50 lb seed10 × 5 = 50 lb — large lot; confirm spreader capacity.
Input
500 m² · 3 kg per 100 m²Output
15 kg seedFive 100 m² units × 3 kg = 15 kg.
Common real-world scenarios where this tool saves time.
5,000 sq ft bare soil at 4 lb / 1,000 sq ft = 20 lb. Buy two 10 lb bags or one 25 lb bag. Prep with Topsoil Calculator first.
8,000 sq ft at 2 lb / 1,000 sq ft = 16 lb. Slice-seed or dethatch before spreading — rate assumes seed-to-soil contact.
400 sq ft patch at 6 lb / 1,000 sq ft (heavy new rate): 0.4 × 6 = 2.4 lb — one small bag covers multiple patches.
500 m² at 3 kg per 100 m² = 15 kg total — matches EU seed bag labeling.
Step-by-step chains that connect related tools for common tasks.
From prep to spread in four steps.
Verify on your seed bag — blends vary.
| Project | Tall fescue blend | Sun/shade mix | Perennial rye |
|---|---|---|---|
| New lawn | 6–8 | 4–6 | 4–5 |
| Overseeding | 3–4 | 2–3 | 2–3 |
| Patch repair | 6–9 | 5–7 | 5–6 |
Warm-season grasses (bermuda, zoysia) use different rates — often by seed count or lb per 1,000 sq ft on label.
| Lot description | Approx. sq ft | Seed at 4 lb/1000 (new) |
|---|---|---|
| Small urban lawn | 2,500 | 10 lb |
| Typical suburban | 5,000 | 20 lb |
| Half acre turf | 21,780 | 87 lb |
| Quarter acre turf | 10,890 | 44 lb |
| Factor | New lawn | Overseeding |
|---|---|---|
| Typical rate | 4–8 lb / 1,000 sq ft | 2–4 lb / 1,000 sq ft |
| Soil prep | Grade, topsoil, rake | Dethatch, aerate, mow short |
| Watering | Keep moist 2–3 weeks | Light frequent irrigation |
| Traffic | Stay off until mow-ready | Minimize foot traffic 2 weeks |
| Bag size | Covers at 4 lb/1000 (new) | Covers at 2 lb/1000 (overseed) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 lb | 750 sq ft | 1,500 sq ft |
| 5 lb | 1,250 sq ft | 2,500 sq ft |
| 10 lb | 2,500 sq ft | 5,000 sq ft |
| 25 lb | 6,250 sq ft | 12,500 sq ft |
| 50 lb | 12,500 sq ft | 25,000 sq ft |
Round up — buy the bag size that meets or exceeds your calculated pounds.
Overseeding rates are **half** (or less) of new seeding rates. Doubling wastes seed and causes disease pressure.
Bermuda, zoysia, fescue, and rye have different rates. Always use the **bag label** for your mix.
Overseeding on thick thatch fails. Dethatch or slice-seed — math does not replace prep.
Subtract **non-turf area** — only measure soil you will seed.
Cool-season: early fall or spring. Warm-season: late spring to summer. Timing affects germination more than rate tweaks.
Apply half the seed in one direction, half perpendicular — improves even coverage without doubling rate.
Seed on compacted clay needs thin topsoil or aeration — use Topsoil Calculator for bare-ground prep.
Germination drops fast in heat. Buy bag size close to need; store cool and dry.
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Divide lawn square footage by 1,000, then multiply by the seeding rate in pounds per 1,000 sq ft from your seed bag. Example: 5,000 sq ft × 4 lb / 1,000 = 20 lb.
New cool-season lawns often use 4–6 lb per 1,000 sq ft; overseeding uses 2–3 lb. Warm-season and single-species bags list their own rates — always read the label.
At 4 lb per 1,000 sq ft (new lawn): 20 lb. At 2 lb per 1,000 sq ft (overseed): 10 lb.
New lawn seeding covers bare soil at full density. Overseeding fills thin turf at roughly half the rate — too much seed causes crowding and disease.
Calculate total pounds, then divide by bag size and round up. Need 18 lb? Buy a 20 lb equivalent (e.g. two 10 lb bags) — partial bags are uncommon.
Cool-season grasses: early fall (best) or spring. Warm-season: late spring through summer when soil is warm. Local extension offices publish ideal windows by state.
New lawns on poor grade benefit from 2–4 in topsoil (see Topsoil Calculator). Overseeding usually does not need new soil — aeration and dethatching matter more.
Measure patch sq ft only. Use the **new lawn** rate on bare patches: e.g. 200 sq ft at 6 lb / 1,000 = 1.2 lb.
Coated seed (fungicide, fertilizer coating) may list adjusted rates on the bag. Follow coated-seed label — do not use raw-rate math.
One acre = 43,560 sq ft. Multiply acres × 43.56 × rate (lb per 1,000 sq ft). Example: 1 acre at 4 lb / 1,000 = 174.2 lb.
Lawn area and seed-rate entries remain on your device — EverydayTools does not save or transmit grass-seed calculation inputs to any remote database.
Seeding estimates only — not turf management consulting. Follow seed label, local extension, and climate guidance for species and timing.
Part of Calculator Tools
More free tools for the same workflow.
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Reviewed on 2026-06-27.
4 lb / 1,000 sq ft — bare soil after grading and topsoil.
Grass type (new-lawn rate — overseed ≈ half)
Read from your seed bag — new lawn rates are higher than overseeding.
Typical seeding rates (verify your bag label)
| Grass type | New lawn | Overseed |
|---|---|---|
| Tall fescue blend | 6–8 lb | 3–4 lb |
| Sun/shade mix | 4–6 lb | 2–3 lb |
| Perennial rye | 4–5 lb | 2–3 lb |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 2–3 lb | 1–2 lb |
| Fine fescue | 4–5 lb | 2–3 lb |
| Bermuda (hulled) | 1–2 lb | 0.5–1 lb |
| Zoysia | 1–2 lb | 0.5–1 lb |