Plant Spacing Calculator
Count how many plants fit in a bed at a given spacing, in a square grid or a staggered triangular layout.
Plants that fit
40
- Plants in a square grid
- 40
- Bed area
- 40.0 sq ft
A bed of 40 sq ft holds about 40 plants at 12 in spacing in a square grid.
Calculation breakdown
| Step | Formula | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Bed area | 10 × 4 | 40.00 sq ft |
| Room for each plant | 12 × 12 | 1.0000 sq ft |
| Plants | 40 ÷ 1, rounded down | 40 |
How it works
Enter the bed size and the spacing between plants, then choose a square grid or a staggered layout.
The factor 0.866 is √3 ÷ 2, the distance between rows of an equilateral triangular grid as a fraction of the spacing.
Worked example
A bed 10 ft long and 4 ft wide with plants 12 inches apart:
- Bed area: 10 × 4 = 40 sq ft
- Square grid: 40 ÷ (1 × 1) = 40 plants
- Staggered: 40 ÷ (1 × 1 × 0.866) = 46.2, which rounds down to 46 plants
Rounding
The plant count is rounded down to a whole number.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate how many plants fit in a bed?
Divide the bed area by the room each plant needs. In a square grid each plant needs the spacing squared, so a 10 foot by 4 foot bed at 12 inch spacing is 40 square feet and holds 40 plants.
What is triangular or staggered plant spacing?
Plants in every other row are offset by half a spacing, so each plant is the same distance from its six neighbors. Each plant then needs the spacing squared times 0.866 of room, which fits about 15% more plants than a square grid at the same spacing.
Where do I find the right spacing for a plant?
Use the spacing on the seed packet or plant tag, measured from the center of one plant to the center of the next. Your local cooperative extension office also publishes spacing guides for vegetables and flowers. The calculator accepts any spacing.
Does spacing change in raised beds?
The spacing a plant needs does not depend on the bed, but a raised bed has no paths, so more of the area can be planted. Measure only the planted area and leave out any paths.
Why does the calculator round down?
A partial plant cannot be planted, so the count is rounded down to whole plants. Edges also need clearance, so check how close plants can sit to the bed border.
Estimates only. Follow the spacing recommended for each plant and leave room at the edges of the bed.