Gardening & Plants
Plant Spacing Calculator
Calculate how many plants fit in a garden bed based on spacing.
Proper plant spacing ensures adequate root space, airflow, and light penetration. This calculator uses triangular (offset) planting — which fits 15% more plants than square grid planting — as well as standard grid.
Total Plants
32 plants
- bed Area
- 32 sq ft
- sq Ft Per Plant
- 1.00 sq ft per plant
- pattern Bonus
- Standard grid spacing
Formula and method
Grid: (W/S) × (L/S); Triangle: Area / (S² × 0.866)
Square grid uses simple integer division. Triangular (hexagonal offset) packing uses the 0.866 factor from equilateral triangle geometry, which allows ~15% more plants in the same area.
Worked examples
Lettuce bed, 8-inch spacing
- Bed Width (ft):
- 4
- Bed Length (ft):
- 8
- Plant Spacing (inches):
- 8
- Planting Pattern:
- Triangular (Offset — more efficient)
Total Plants: 83 plants
Tomato garden
- Bed Width (ft):
- 8
- Bed Length (ft):
- 12
- Plant Spacing (inches):
- 30
- Planting Pattern:
- Square Grid
Total Plants: 12 plants
Assumptions and limits
- Rectangular bed
- No paths or obstacles within the bed
- All plants same spacing
This tool provides an educational estimate. Rules, rates and personal circumstances can change the answer. Review the assumptions before relying on a result. Report a correction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using spacing from seed packet without accounting for mature plant size.
- Planting at minimum spacing — mature plants will crowd each other and compete for water and light.
- Not accounting for walkways and access paths within large beds.
Frequently asked questions
What spacing do common vegetables need?
Lettuce: 6-8". Carrots: 3-4". Tomatoes: 24-36". Peppers: 18-24". Cucumber: 12-18". Corn: 12" in rows, 30" between rows. Always check the seed packet for variety-specific recommendations.