Plant Population Calculator: Plants per Acre & Hectare
Plant population is the number of plants per unit area, and it drives yield in row crops. It follows directly from row spacing and the distance between plants in each row.
Runs in your browser. Nothing you enter is stored.
What this calculator does
Enter row and in-row spacing. The calculator gives plants per acre and hectare, total plants for your area and seeds to sow.
How to use the plant population calculator
- Enter the distance between rows.
- Enter the distance between plants in the row.
- Enter your field area.
- Enter expected emergence.
- Compare the population with recommendations for your crop.
How the calculation works
plants per m² = 1 ÷ (row spacing × in-row spacing) per hectare = per m² × 10,000; per acre = per m² × 4,047 seeds = plants ÷ emergence
One acre is 43,560 sq ft; one hectare is 10,000 m².
Worked example
Rows 76 cm apart with plants every 15 cm give 8.77 plants/m², about 87,700 per hectare. In imperial units, 30-inch rows with 6-inch spacing give 34,848 plants per acre.
Assumptions and limitations
- Assumes even spacing; gaps and doubles change the real number.
- Optimum populations depend on crop, variety and conditions.
- Edge rows and headlands are included.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate plants per acre?
Divide 43,560 by the area per plant in square feet (row spacing × in-row spacing, both in feet).
How many corn plants per acre?
Commonly 28,000–36,000, depending on hybrid and yield environment.
What does plant population mean?
The number of plants per unit area, usually per acre or hectare.
How do I convert plants per hectare to per acre?
Multiply plants per hectare by 0.405.