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Fertilizer / NPK Calculator

Work out pounds of fertilizer for a target nitrogen rate and the N, P and K actually applied from the label numbers.

About this tool

Fertilizer / NPK Calculator is a free, in-browser tool that turns a target nitrogen rate into the amount of a specific fertilizer to spread. Enter the area, the target nitrogen in pounds of N per 1,000 square feet, and the three N-P-K percentages printed on the bag — it returns the pounds of product to apply and how much actual nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that delivers. Nothing is uploaded; the math runs on your device.

Product per 1,000 sq ft = target N ÷ (N% ÷ 100), because only the nitrogen fraction of the bag counts toward the rate. Total product = product per 1,000 × (area ÷ 1000). The nutrients actually applied are total product × each percentage: nitrogen = product × N%, phosphorus = product × P% and potassium = product × K%. A 10-10-10 fertilizer at 1 lb N per 1,000 over 1,000 sq ft, for example, needs 10 lb of product.

Use it to compare fertilizers fairly: a higher first number means fewer pounds of product for the same nitrogen rate. Lawn programs commonly target about 1 lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft per feeding — check your local extension guidance for the right seasonal rate.

Frequently asked questions

What do the N-P-K numbers mean?
They are the percentages by weight of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (as P₂O₅) and potassium (as K₂O) in the bag. A 10-10-10 product is 10% of each, so 10 lb of product contains 1 lb of each nutrient.
How is the amount of product calculated?
The tool divides your target nitrogen rate by the nitrogen fraction (N% ÷ 100) to get product per 1,000 sq ft, then scales by your area. Applying by the nitrogen number is the standard way to rate lawn fertilizer.
Why does more nitrogen mean less product?
A higher first number packs more nitrogen into each pound, so you spread fewer pounds to hit the same rate. That is why a 46-0-0 urea is applied at a fraction of the weight of a 10-10-10.
Is my data kept private?
Yes. The area, target rate and label numbers are processed entirely in your browser and never uploaded, so the calculator works offline.

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