How we worked it out
Updated as you change the numbers.
- Area = length × width = 50 ft × 40 ft = 2,000 sq ft.
- Rate: 6 lb per 1,000 sq ft.
- Seed = 2,000 ÷ 1,000 × 6 = 12 lb.
- Bags = 12 ÷ 7 lb, rounded up = 2.
Method and assumptions
Seeding rates are given per 1,000 sq ft, so the calculator divides the area by 1,000 and multiplies by the rate. Overseeding uses about half the new-lawn rate, which is the usual guidance on seed labels and from extension services.
Rates vary a lot between grass types because seed sizes differ: a pound of Kentucky bluegrass holds many times more seeds than a pound of tall fescue. Always use the rate on your bag.
Tips
- Seed cool-season grasses in early fall and warm-season grasses in late spring.
- Spread half the seed in one direction and half at right angles for even cover.
Questions
How much grass seed for 5,000 sq ft?
At 6 lb per 1,000 sq ft, 30 lb for a new lawn, or 15 lb to overseed.
Sources
Method and figures checked on . Every worked answer on this page is covered by an automated test. Found a mistake? Tell us.