Crop Yield Per Acre Calculator
Crop yield per acre is the standard measure of field productivity used by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), farmers, agronomists, and lenders. Enter your total harvest weight and the area of your field to instantly calculate yield per acre and per hectare. Accurate yield tracking helps you benchmark performance against regional averages, adjust inputs for the next season, and meet crop insurance documentation requirements.
Crop yield formula
Yield per acre = Total harvest / Field area (acres)
Yield per hectare = Yield per acre x 2.47105
Where total harvest is measured in consistent units (pounds, bushels, etc.) and field area is measured in acres. To convert yield per acre to yield per hectare, multiply by 2.47105 (since 1 hectare = 2.47105 acres).
USDA average yields for common crops
- Corn: approximately 175 to 180 bushels per acre (US national average, USDA NASS).
- Soybeans: approximately 50 to 52 bushels per acre (US national average, USDA NASS).
- Winter wheat: approximately 48 to 52 bushels per acre (US national average, USDA NASS).
- Cotton: approximately 900 to 950 pounds per acre lint (US national average, USDA NASS).
- Rice: approximately 7,500 to 7,800 pounds per acre (US national average, USDA NASS).
Crop yield calculator: frequently asked questions
How is crop yield per acre calculated?
Crop yield per acre is calculated by dividing the total harvested weight by the total field area in acres. For example, if you harvest 50,000 pounds from 10 acres, your yield is 5,000 pounds per acre. The same logic applies for bushels, tons, or any other unit of measure.
What are typical corn yield benchmarks in the United States?
According to USDA NASS data, the US average corn yield is approximately 175 to 180 bushels per acre in recent years, though top producers in the Corn Belt regularly achieve 220 to 250 bushels per acre under optimal conditions.
Can I convert yield per acre to yield per hectare?
Yes. One acre equals 0.404686 hectares, so yield per hectare equals yield per acre multiplied by 0.404686. The calculator displays both units automatically.
What units does this calculator support?
You can enter harvest in pounds, kilograms, bushels, or short tons, and field area in acres or hectares. The calculator converts and displays results in multiple units for easy comparison.
Why does my yield per acre vary between fields?
Yield variation across fields is caused by differences in soil quality, drainage, fertility, seeding rate, hybrid selection, pest pressure, and weather. Mapping yield by field allows you to target inputs where they will have the greatest return.
Official sources
- USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS): Crop Statistics.
- USDA Economic Research Service: Crop Outlook and Data.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.