# Grass Seed Calculator: How Many Pounds?

> Find how many pounds of grass seed you need for a new lawn or for overseeding an existing one, by grass type — plus bags and cost.

**Quick answer:** A new tall fescue lawn needs about 8 lb of seed per 1,000 sq ft, so a 2,000 sq ft lawn needs 16 lb; Kentucky bluegrass needs only about 2.5 lb per 1,000 sq ft. Overseeding uses about half the rate. Always follow the label on your seed bag.

_Last updated: October 3, 2026. Estimates only; confirm quantities with your supplier._

## How much grass seed do I need?

Grass seed is applied by weight per 1,000 square feet, and the right rate depends on the species. Small-seeded grasses like Kentucky bluegrass need only a couple of pounds; larger seed such as tall fescue and ryegrass is applied at several times that weight.

```
pounds = lawn area (sq ft) ÷ 1,000 × seeding rate (lb per 1,000 sq ft)
```

### Typical seeding rates

| Grass | New lawn (lb / 1,000 sq ft) | Overseeding | Season |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kentucky bluegrass | 1–3 | 0.5–1.5 | Cool |
| Tall fescue | 6–9 | 3–4.5 | Cool |
| Perennial ryegrass | 6–8 | 3–4 | Cool |
| Fine fescue | 3–6 | 1.5–3 | Cool (shade) |
| Bermuda (hulled) | 1–2 | 0.5–1 | Warm |

### Pounds of seed by lawn size (tall fescue, new lawn, 8 lb / 1,000)

| Lawn area | Pounds of seed | 5-lb bags |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 500 sq ft | 4 | 1 |
| 1.000 sq ft | 8 | 2 |
| 2.000 sq ft | 16 | 4 |
| 5.000 sq ft | 40 | 8 |
| 10.000 sq ft | 80 | 16 |

### When and how to sow

Sow cool-season grasses in early fall (best) or spring, and warm-season grasses in late spring when soils are warm. Prepare a loose, level seedbed, rake seed in lightly, press it in with a roller and keep the surface constantly moist until germination. For a quicker lawn, consider [sod](../sod-calculator/); to improve the soil first, see the [topsoil calculator](../topsoil-calculator/).

## Frequently asked questions

### How much grass seed do I need for 1,000 square feet?

It depends on the grass: about 1–3 lb of Kentucky bluegrass, 6–9 lb of tall fescue, or 6–8 lb of ryegrass for a new lawn (university extension ranges).

### How much seed for overseeding?

Generally half the new-lawn rate — around 3–4 lb of tall fescue per 1,000 sq ft, for example.

### How much seed do I need for 5,000 square feet?

Five times the per-1,000 rate: 40 lb of tall fescue for a new lawn, or 12.5 lb of Kentucky bluegrass.

### How long does grass seed take to germinate?

Ryegrass sprouts in 5–10 days, tall fescue in 7–14, and Kentucky bluegrass in 14–30 days, depending on soil temperature and moisture.

### Can I put too much seed down?

Yes. Overcrowded seedlings compete and are more prone to disease. Stick to the rate on the bag.

### How many square feet does a 5-lb bag cover?

About 600 sq ft of new tall fescue lawn (8 lb per 1,000), or roughly 2,000 sq ft of Kentucky bluegrass (2.5 lb per 1,000).

### Should I water new seed daily?

Yes, lightly one to three times a day, to keep the top inch moist until the grass is established.

### When is the best time to plant grass seed?

Early fall for cool-season lawns; late spring to early summer for warm-season lawns.

## Sources and further reading

- [Planting a new lawn](https://extension.illinois.edu/lawns/planting-new-lawn) — University of Illinois Extension
- [Turfgrass seed and seed mixtures](https://extension.psu.edu/turfgrass-seed-and-seed-mixtures) — Penn State Extension