We use the standard linear, loam-baseline model: 50 lb of lime per 1,000 sq ft raises a loam soil by one pH unit, then scale that by your soil texture, lime type, and the product's calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE). This is a planning estimate — a soil-test buffer-pH value gives a more exact dose and should refine it.

pH change      = target pH − current pH        (lime only raises pH)
rate/1,000     = pH change × 50
                 × texture (sandy 0.7 · loam 1.0 · clay 1.5)
                 × type (calcitic 1.0 · dolomitic 0.9)
                 × CCE (100 / CCE%)
total lime     = rate/1,000 × (area sq ft / 1,000)
bags           = ceil(total lime / bag size)   (round up — no part-bags)
leftover       = bags × bag size − total lime
split flag     = rate/1,000 > 50               (above the single-pass cap)
applications   = ceil(rate/1,000 / 50)         (when split)

Worked example (the default): raising 8,000 sq ft of loam from pH 5.5 to 6.5 with calcitic lime at 100% CCE = 1.0 × 50 × 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.0 = 50.0 lb/1,000 sq ft; 50.0 × 8 = 400 lb = 10 × 40-lb bags (0 lb leftover), one application (right at the cap).

The texture / type / CCE factors are the cited Yield Grid rules of thumb, not an agronomic prescription. The 50-lb/1,000-sq-ft single-application cap is a non-authoritative safety guideline (it varies by product and soil); above it we suggest splitting the dose across seasons because lime can scorch turf in one heavy pass. Bags round up because you can't buy a fraction of a bag.

Sources

Soil pH Lime Calculator. The Yield Grid. Retrieved Jun 20, 2026.

Lime Application Rate Calculator. Alluvial Soil Lab. Retrieved Jun 20, 2026.

Lime Recommendations (Turf). Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Lab. Retrieved Jun 20, 2026.

Calculating Lime (Adams-Evans Soil Buffer). University of Delaware Cooperative Extension. Retrieved Jun 20, 2026.