Count pots by area, spacing, margins, and aisles. Choose grid or staggered layouts for efficiency. See rows, density, and exports in one clean report.
Enter the bench or growing area size, then your pot diameter, spacing, and margins. Use aisles to reserve access lanes and utilization to account for blocked zones.
First, convert all inputs to a common length unit. Then compute the pitch (center-to-center spacing) as: pitch = pot_diameter + spacing.
Compute usable dimensions by removing edge margins and aisle space: usable_length = length − 2×margin and usable_width = width − 2×margin − (aisle_count×aisle_width).
For a square grid: pots_per_row = ⌊usable_length / pitch⌋, rows = ⌊usable_width / pitch⌋, total = rows × pots_per_row, then apply utilization. For staggered layout, row spacing uses pitch×√3/2.
| Length | Width | Pot Diameter | Spacing | Margin | Layout | Utilization | Estimated Pots |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 m | 1.2 m | 20 cm | 2 cm | 5 cm | Square | 100% | ~150 |
| 20 ft | 4 ft | 8 in | 0.5 in | 1 in | Staggered | 90% | ~95 |
| 3.0 m | 1.0 m | 15 cm | 1 cm | 3 cm | Square | 85% | ~108 |
Start with the bench footprint you can actually fill. The calculator subtracts edge margins and any access aisles from the measured length and width. This produces a usable rectangle that reflects real rails, drip lines, and handling clearance. Accurate usable dimensions prevent optimistic counts that later cause overhang, tipping, or blocked walk paths. If benches are movable, measure at their tightest spacing, not their parked position.
Pot diameter should represent the widest rim you must clear. Add spacing for airflow, leaf expansion, and irrigation distribution. The tool combines diameter and spacing into pitch, the center‑to‑center distance between pots. Increasing pitch lowers density but improves drying time and reduces disease pressure in humid propagation zones. For mixed crops, size pitch to the largest container or schedule separate benches. When spacing is tight, monitor canopy overlap and adjust promptly weekly.
Square grids align pots in straight rows and columns, making visual counting and cart moves simple. Staggered packing offsets every other row and uses a tighter row spacing based on pitch × √3/2. This often increases capacity when benches are narrow, but it can complicate bench grids, spacing checks, and the placement of emitters or capillary mats. Test staggered layouts with a small trial before scaling up.
Aisle count and aisle width reserve space for workers and hoses. Edge margin protects pots from sliding off benches and gives room for labels. Utilization lets you discount space lost to posts, shade‑house braces, uneven corners, or dedicated quarantine zones. For conservative planning, use round down; for scenario testing, use round up. Many teams set utilization to 85–95% to reflect day‑to‑day variability.
Use total pots to build purchase orders for containers, media, and tags. Rows and pots‑per‑row help crews stage flats consistently during potting runs. Density values support comparisons between crops, seasons, and ventilation setups. Exported CSV files are useful for spreadsheets, while the PDF export works for job packets and supervisor sign‑off. Save exports with crop name and week number for quick audits.
Enter the flat footprint you want to fill with pots. If rails or edges block placement, include a margin so the usable area matches the real working surface.
Use the widest point that can collide with neighbors, usually the rim. This keeps the count conservative when pots flare outward or have thick lips.
Start with 1–3 cm for small pots and increase for larger foliage. If humidity stays high or leaves touch, increase spacing to improve drying and reduce disease risk.
Staggered packing helps when benches are narrow or you need extra capacity. It may complicate irrigation emitter alignment, so confirm coverage and accessibility before adopting it.
Utilization reduces the theoretical count to reflect obstacles or operational reality. Use 85–95% for most benches, and lower values if corners, posts, or dedicated zones cut space.
For a single estimate, base inputs on the largest pot size. For mixed benches, run separate calculations per crop block and sum the results for a clearer plan.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.