Calculate seed germination rate, viable seeds, expected seedlings, seed loss, seeds to plant, seed packets needed, and seed cost. Use this germination rate calculator for seed tests, garden planning, seed trays, direct seeding, native seedings, and nursery starts.
Germination test:
Enter how many seeds you tested and how many sprouted. The calculator divides germinated seeds by tested seeds to calculate germination percentage.
Seeds to plant from target:
Enter your target seedlings or plants and the calculator adjusts for germination rate, survival rate, and extra seed allowance.
Seed packets and cost:
The calculator estimates how many seed packets are needed and multiplies packets by cost per packet.
Seed tray planning:
Enter tray cells, seeds per cell, and tray count to estimate total seeds planted, expected germination, and expected usable seedlings.
A germination rate calculator helps estimate seed quality and plan how many seeds to plant before starting trays, rows, beds, or direct-seeded areas.
It can be useful for gardeners, nurseries, seed saving, seed testing, school projects, farms, native plantings, greenhouse starts, and comparing old seed with new seed.
Your result shows germination rate, non-germinated seeds, expected seedlings, expected usable plants, seeds to plant, seed allowance, packets needed, seed cost, and germination speed per day. These are planning estimates based on the seed test results, known germination rate, survival rate, and extra seed allowance you enter.
Divide the number of seeds that germinated by the number of seeds tested, then multiply by 100 to get the germination percentage.
A germination rate above 70% is often considered usable for many garden seeds, while 90% or more is generally strong. Expectations vary by seed type and age.
Older seeds may lose viability over time. A germination test helps decide whether to plant more seed, buy new seed, or adjust seeding rate.
Testing 10 seeds gives a quick estimate, but testing 50 to 100 seeds usually gives a more useful germination percentage.