Plant Spacing Calculator
Find how many plants fill a bed at a given spacing — as a square grid, in rows, or in a triangular offset pattern. Enter the area and spacing and get the plant count and the density per square foot.
Equal spacing in a straight grid.
Offset rows nestle into the gaps — fits about 15% more than a square grid.
Gap between rows, and between plants within a row.
Formula & how it works
Square: plants = area ÷ spacing². Triangular: plants = area ÷ (spacing² × 0.866) — offset rows pack tighter.
Rows: plants = area ÷ (row spacing × in-row spacing). Areas are converted to square inches first (× 144), then rounded down to whole plants.
Worked example
A 10 × 10 ft bed is 100 ft². At 12 in square spacing each plant needs one square foot, so about 100 plants. Switch to triangular spacing at the same 12 in and it fits about 115 — the offset rows use the space more efficiently. In 18 × 12 in rows, a 200 ft² bed takes roughly 133.
Spacing plants well
Pattern changes the count
At the same spacing, a triangular offset layout fits roughly 15% more plants than a square grid and covers ground more evenly, which is why it's the go-to for ground covers and mass plantings. Rows trade some density for access and airflow, using a wider gap between rows than within them — the usual choice for vegetables you need to walk between and harvest.
Space by mature size
The number that matters is how wide each plant gets, not how small it looks in the pot today. Under-spacing looks lush at first but leads to crowding, poor airflow, and disease as plants fill in; over-spacing leaves gaps and invites weeds. Use the recommended mature spacing for the variety, and let the calculator translate that into a count.
Treat the count as ideal
This assumes a clean fill across the whole area, so a real bed with curved edges, paths, or existing plants will take somewhat fewer. Round down and buy a couple extra for replacements rather than packing in more than the spacing allows — the spacing exists for a reason.