How Much Grass Seed Per Square Foot?
For most cool-season blends, sow about 5 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet for a new lawn, or about 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet to overseed an existing one. That works out to roughly 0.005 and 0.003 pounds per square foot. Always check the bag, because rates vary by grass type.
New lawn vs overseeding
A bare-soil lawn needs roughly double the seed of an overseed because nothing is there yet. Cool-season blends are often near 5 lb per 1,000 sq ft new and 3 lb for overseeding.
Warm-season grasses, and fine versus tall fescues, all differ. The seeding rate printed on your bag always beats a general rule.
Spreading evenly
Split the seed into two halves and spread one in each direction (north-south, then east-west) for even coverage and fewer bare patches.
Resist over-seeding: crowded seedlings compete for light and water and thin out. The grass seed calculator gives the pounds to buy for your lawn size.
FAQ
How much grass seed for 1,000 square feet?
About 5 pounds for a new lawn and 3 pounds to overseed, for typical cool-season blends. Check your seed bag for the exact rate.
How much grass seed per square foot?
Roughly 0.005 lb per square foot for a new lawn and 0.003 lb for overseeding.