Microgreen Tray Yield Calculator
Microgreen production is a high-value specialty crop with a rapid turnaround from seed to harvest. This calculator helps you estimate weekly yield, revenue, and seed cost based on your tray count, expected yield per tray, selling price, and grow cycle length. Use it to plan production schedules, price your products, and estimate break-even costs.
Microgreen yield and revenue formula
Weekly yield (lb) = Trays per week x Yield per tray (oz) / 16
Weekly revenue ($) = Weekly yield (lb) x Selling price ($/lb)
Weekly seed cost ($) = Trays per week x Seed per tray (oz) / 16 x Seed price ($/lb)
Seed cost ratio = Weekly seed cost / Weekly revenue x 100
Seed cost as a percentage of revenue is a key metric for microgreen business profitability. Industry benchmarks suggest keeping seed cost below 15 to 20% of revenue. Crops with lower seed costs relative to yield and price (such as radish and sunflower) are typically most profitable.
Typical yield and seeding rates by crop
- Sunflower: seed 2.5 oz/tray; yield 10 to 14 oz/tray; grow time 10 to 12 days.
- Radish: seed 1.0 oz/tray; yield 6 to 10 oz/tray; grow time 7 to 9 days.
- Pea shoots: seed 4.0 oz/tray; yield 8 to 12 oz/tray; grow time 12 to 14 days.
- Spicy mix (arugula, mustard): seed 0.5 oz/tray; yield 5 to 8 oz/tray; grow time 10 to 12 days.
- Basil: seed 0.25 oz/tray; yield 2 to 4 oz/tray; grow time 14 to 21 days.
Microgreen tray yield calculator: frequently asked questions
What is a typical microgreen yield per 1020 tray?
A standard 10 x 20 inch (1020) tray typically yields 6 to 12 oz of finished microgreens depending on the crop. Sunflower microgreens yield on the higher end (10 to 14 oz); spicy mix and radish yield 6 to 10 oz. Dense crops like peas and sunflowers yield more per tray than delicate crops like amaranth. Track your own yields by crop for accurate planning.
How much seed do I need per 1020 tray?
Seeding rates vary significantly by crop. Sunflower seeds are seeded at approximately 2 to 3 oz per 1020 tray. Radish is seeded at 1.0 to 1.5 oz per tray. Pea shoots use 4 to 6 oz per tray. Arugula, basil, and small-seeded crops use 0.25 to 0.5 oz per tray. The ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program publishes general microgreen seeding rate guidance.
What is the grow time for common microgreens?
Grow times range from 7 to 21 days: radish and mustard harvest in 7 to 10 days; sunflower and peas harvest in 10 to 14 days; basil takes 14 to 21 days. Faster-growing crops allow more tray turns per month and higher revenue potential from the same grow space.
What is the typical selling price for microgreens?
Retail prices for locally grown microgreens range from $20 to $50 per pound at farmers markets, with most growers pricing at $25 to $35 per pound. Restaurant wholesale prices are typically $15 to $25 per pound. Pricing varies significantly by region, crop variety, and market channel.
How many trays fit in a standard 4-shelf growing rack?
A standard wire shelving unit (36 in wide x 18 in deep x 72 in tall, 4 shelves) can hold 2 standard 1020 trays per shelf, for a total of 8 trays. With supplemental LED lighting and staggered plantings, a single rack can produce approximately 8 to 16 trays per week depending on crop cycle time.
Official sources
- USDA ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture Program: Microgreens: A New Specialty Crop.
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Microgreen Production (HS1350).
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 14 June 2026. See our methodology.