Seed Germination Rate Calculator

Work out seed germination rate instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Seed Germination Rate Calculator

Germination rate is germinated seeds as a percentage of seeds placed in the test. Seed laws grade on normal seedlings only, so abnormal and weak sprouts are counted separately. Dividing the germination percentage by days to final count gives a simple speed-of-emergence index for comparing lots.

Formulas

Germination rate

Germination % = germinated seeds x 100 / seeds sown

Speed index

Speed index = germination % / days to final count

Worked example

With the default values below, Seed Germination Rate Calculator returns Germination Rate of 88.00%. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Seeds Placed In Testminimum 1: 100
Seeds Germinatedminimum 0: 88
Normal Healthy Seedlingsminimum 0: 84
Days To Final Countminimum 1 days: 7 days

Results

Germination Rate: 88.00%
Normal Seedling Percentage: 84.00%
Abnormal Seedling Percentage: 4.00%
Germination Speed Index: 12.571

Step by step

1Values used
2Germination rate
3Speed index
4Germination Rate= 88.00
5Normal Seedling Percentage= 84.00
6Abnormal Seedling Percentage= 4.00
7Germination Speed Index= 12.571

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What germination percentage is acceptable?

Certification minimums are typically 70-85% depending on crop — around 85% for wheat and paddy, 70% for cotton and many pulses. Below the standard the lot cannot be sold as certified seed.

How should the test be run?

Use at least 4 replicates of 100 seeds on moist paper or sand at the crop's recommended temperature, count at the prescribed first and final count days, and record normal, abnormal, hard and dead seeds separately.