Plant spacing calculator
Enter the bed size and the spacing from the seed packet or plant label. You get the number of plants in a square grid and in a staggered (triangular) pattern, which fits more plants in larger beds, with the edge gap to leave.
Bed and spacing
About the plant spacing calculator
Enter the bed size and the spacing from the seed packet or plant label. You get the number of plants in a square grid and in a staggered (triangular) pattern, which fits more plants in larger beds, with the edge gap to leave.
Part of SmartCalcy’s garden tools. It runs in your browser with no account, uses your own currency and units (change them at the top of the page), and gives estimates for information only, so check official guidance before you rely on a result.
How to use the plant spacing calculator
What it calculates and when to use it
Counts how many plants fit in a bed at a given spacing, in a square grid and in a staggered (triangular) pattern.
How to use it, step by step
- Measure the bed length and width.
- Enter the spacing from the seed packet or plant label.
- Optionally enter a price per plant.
- Compare the grid and staggered layouts.
What each input means
- Bed length and width – Starts at 3 × 1.2 m.
- Spacing – Starts at 30 cm.
How to read the results
- Plants in a square grid – Along × across.
- Staggered pattern – Plants and row spacing.
- Edge gap – Half the spacing.
The formula
Grid = floor(length ÷ spacing) × floor(width ÷ spacing). Staggered rows are spacing × √3 ÷ 2 apart, with alternate rows offset by half a spacing.
A worked example
With the starting entries: 300 ÷ 30 = 10 along and 120 ÷ 30 = 4 across, so 40 plants in a grid; the staggered pattern fits 38 in a bed this narrow.
Assumptions and limits
- Plants sit half a spacing from the edges.
- Staggered layouts gain most in larger beds.
Common mistakes
- Planting closer than the packet says, which crowds plants and spreads disease.
- Forgetting paths and access.
Frequently asked questions
Grid or staggered?
Staggered usually fits more in larger beds and gives even coverage; grids are easier to weed.
What spacing should I use?
Follow the seed packet or plant label.
Related tools
Staggered (triangular) pattern
- Plants
- 38
- Rows
- 426 cm apart