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How many plants fit in your bed?

A 4 × 8 ft bed planted 12 inches apart in a square grid holds 32 plants, with each plant 6 inches in from the edges. Offset rows change the count; enter your spacing to compare.

Example measurements are filled in. Replace them with yours.

Bed shape
32 plants in a square grid, drawn to scale.8 × 4 ft, 32 plants

Measure the ground you will cover.

Example quantities

32plants
4rows
32sq ft of bed

Your planting details
  • 32 sq ft of bed
  • 12 in between plants, square grid
  • 32 plants in 4 rows
  • Plants start half a spacing in from each edge
How it is calculated
  1. Rows and plants sit 12 in apart.
  2. Each plant sits at least half a spacing (6 in) from the edge.
  3. Total: 32 plants.

Shown in feet and inches. Results are rounded for reading; whole bags and pieces use the full calculation.

Square grid or offset rows

In a square grid, every plant sits the same distance from its neighbors in straight rows and columns. In offset rows, each row shifts by half a spacing and the rows sit closer together, 0.87 times the spacing, so each plant is still the full spacing from its neighbors. Offset rows usually fit more plants in a wide bed; in a narrow bed the count can be the same or lower.

Every plant sits at least half a spacing in from the edge of the bed, so its leaves stay inside the walls.

Where the spacing comes from

Use the spacing printed on your seed packet or plant label. The calculator counts plants for the spacing you enter; it does not choose a spacing for a crop. To fill the bed first, use the raised bed soil calculator; to water the rows, the irrigation fit checker.