Cannabis Yield Calculator

| Added in Biology

What is a Cannabis Yield Calculator?

A Cannabis Yield Calculator helps growers measure the efficiency of their cultivation by determining the amount of dried cannabis product harvested per square foot (or square meter) of growing canopy. This metric is essential for optimizing growing operations and comparing yields across different cultivation methods.

How to Use the Cannabis Yield Calculator

  1. Enter the Total Dried Product Weight in grams or kilograms
  2. Enter the Total Canopy Area in square feet or square meters
  3. Select the appropriate units for both measurements
  4. Click "Calculate" to see the result in grams per square foot

Formula

The cannabis yield is calculated using this formula:

$$\text{Yield} = \frac{W}{A}$$

Where:

  • W = Total dried product weight (in grams)
  • A = Total canopy area (in ft²)

Example Calculation

If you harvest 15,000 grams of dried cannabis from a canopy area of 75 square feet:

$$\text{Yield} = \frac{15{,}000}{75} = 200 \text{ g/ft}^{2}$$

This means you achieved a yield of 200 grams per square foot.

Understanding Cannabis Yields

Yield Benchmarks

  • Beginner growers: 50-100 g/ft²
  • Intermediate growers: 100-200 g/ft²
  • Advanced growers: 200-400 g/ft²
  • Expert/commercial operations: 400+ g/ft²

Factors Affecting Yield

  1. Lighting: Type, intensity, and spectrum of grow lights
  2. Genetics: Strain selection and plant quality
  3. Growing medium: Soil, hydroponic, or aeroponic systems
  4. Nutrients: Feeding schedule and nutrient quality
  5. Environment: Temperature, humidity, and airflow
  6. Training techniques: LST, HST, SCROG, SOG methods
  7. Experience: Growing knowledge and attention to detail

Indoor vs. Outdoor Yields

Indoor growing typically produces higher yields per square foot due to controlled environments and optimized lighting. Outdoor growing may have lower density but benefits from natural sunlight and larger growing spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

A good yield for most growers is between 100-200 grams per square foot. Commercial operations often achieve 300-500 g/ft² with optimized systems and experienced cultivation teams.

Improve yields by optimizing lighting (use quality full-spectrum LEDs), selecting high-yielding genetics, implementing proper training techniques, maintaining ideal environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, CO2), and following a precise nutrient schedule.

Both metrics are useful. Grams per square foot measures spatial efficiency, while grams per watt measures energy efficiency. Most growers track both to optimize both space utilization and electricity costs.

New growers typically need 3-5 growing cycles to develop the skills for consistent high yields. Each cycle provides valuable learning experiences about plant behavior, environmental control, and cultivation techniques.

Not necessarily. While optimized growing conditions improve both yield and quality, pushing plants too hard for maximum yield can sometimes reduce potency and terpene profiles. Balance is key for producing both quantity and quality.