How Long Does It Take to Mow a Lawn? Calculating Mowing Time

Are you trying to squeeze yard work into your weekend schedule and wondering, how long does it take to mow a lawn? Whether you're using a push mower, a riding mower, or a robotic model, the time it takes to mow your lawn can vary based on several factors, from the size of your yard to how fast your mower can go. Read on as we help you work through the calculation, explain what influences mowing time, and give you tips to speed things up.

How Long Does It Take to Mow a Lawn?

When trying to figure out how long does it take to mow the lawn, the answer can vary depending on a few key factors, including the size of your yard, the speed and width of the mower you're using, and any curves, hills, or obstacles of your lawn.

To break it down, here's a lawn mowing calculator process to estimate how long you can expect to spend mowing:

1. Measure Your Lawn Size

The first step is knowing the size of your lawn. You can do this by measuring the length and width of your yard, or by using online tools like Google Maps to estimate the area. Lawn sizes are typically measured in square feet or acres:

• Small lawn:Less than ¼ acre (about 10,000 square feet)
• Medium lawn:Between ¼ and ½ acre (10,000 to 20,000 square feet)
• Large lawn:Over ½ acre (20,000 square feet or more)

2. Consider Your Mower Type and Width

Different types of mowers have varying speeds. Here's a breakdown of the average mowing speed for common types of lawn mowers:

• Push Mower:2-3 miles per hour (mph)
• Self-Propelled Mower:3-4 mph
• Riding Mower: 4-5 mph
• Zero-Turn Mower:5-8 mph

Additionally, Mower width (the cutting deck size) refers to how wide the blade area is, and it directly affects how much grass you can cut with each pass. Here's a quick overview of typical mower widths:

• Push Mower: 16–21 inches (1.3 to 1.75 feet)
• Self-Propelled Mower: 20–22 inches (1.6 to 1.8 feet)
• Riding Mower:30–42 inches (2.5 to 3.5 feet)
• Zero-Turn Mower:42–60 inches (3.5 to 5 feet)

3. Calculate Time Based on Lawn Size and Mower Speed

To estimate how long mowing will take, use this simple mowing time calculator formula:

Mowing Time ≈Lawn Area ÷ (Mower Speed × Mower Width)

Let's say you have a ¼ acre lawn, and you're using a self-propelled mower with a 20-inch deck (which is 1.67 feet wide), traveling at 3 mph.

Convert Lawn Size: ¼ acre = 10,890 square feet (¼ × 43,560).

Convert Mower Speed to Feet per Minute: 3 mph = 264 feet per minute.

Calculate Time: 

Mowing Time = 10,890 sq ft ÷ (264 feet/min × 1.67 feet) ≈ 24.7 minutes.

In this example, it would take you roughly 25 minutes to mow a ¼-acre lawn using a 20-inch self-propelled mower.

4. Adjust for Obstacles and Lawn Condition

Keep in mind that if you have many obstacles (trees, flower beds, etc.) or uneven terrain, you might need to make additional passes or slow down, which could increase your time. Likewise, tall or dense grass will slow you down more than a well-maintained lawn.

Let's look at how the mowing time can change for different lawn sizes and mower types:

Mower Type	Mower Width	Mower Speed	Time to Mow (¼ Acre)	Time to Mow (½ Acre)	Time to Mow (1 Acre)
Push Mower	18 inches	2 mph	37.5 minutes	75 minutes	150 minutes
Self-Propelled Mower	21 inches	3 mph	25 minutes	50 minutes	100 minutes
Riding Mower	36 inches	4 mph	15.7 minutes	31.5 minutes	63 minutes
Zero-Turn Mower	50 inches	5 mph	12.3 minutes	24.6 minutes	49.2 minutes

How Fast Can a Lawn Mower Go?

As we've seen, the speed of your lawn mower plays a big role in how quickly you can finish mowing your lawn. Here's a breakdown of the typical speeds for different types of mowers:

Push Mowers

• Manual Push Mowers:These mowers move at 2 to 3 mph. You control the pace by walking.
• Self-Propelled Mowers:These can travel at 3 to 4 mph, as the motor powers the wheels, making them easier to push.

Riding Mowers

• Standard Riding Mowers:These typically go 4 to 5 mph, making them ideal for medium-sized lawns (½ acre or more).
• Zero-Turn Mowers:These are faster, reaching 5 to 8 mph. They offer greater speed and maneuverability, making them perfect for larger or obstacle-heavy lawns.
• Lawn Tractors:Lawn tractors are similar to standard riding mowers, typically going 3 to 5 mph. They are suitable for large, flat lawns and can handle bigger tasks like towing attachments.

Robotic Lawn Mowers

These mowers move more slowly, at about 0.5 to 2 mph, but they operate autonomously, making them ideal for low-maintenance, regular mowing.

Is it worth to get a robot lawn mower? Learn more here: How Much Is a Robot Lawn Mower in 2025?

How Many Acres Can I Cut per Hour?

Knowing how many acres you can mow per hour helps you estimate the time it will take to finish your lawn care tasks easily. It varies significantly based on the mower type and size. Here's a general guide:

Mower Type	Mower Width	Acres per Hour
Push Mower	22 inches	0.6 acres per hour
Push Mower	30 inches	0.75 acres per hour
Lawn Tractor	38 inches	1-1.75 acres per hour
Lawn Tractor	42 inches	1-1.9 acres per hour
Lawn Tractor	46 inches	1.2-2.1 acres per hour
Zero-Turn Mower	42 inches	2.3-3.1 acres per hour
Zero-Turn Mower	46 inches	2.5-3.4 acres per hour
Zero-Turn Mower	54 inches	3-4 acres per hour

Tips for Reducing Mowing Time

To minimize the time spent mowing and maximize efficiency, here are some useful tips:

• Invest in the Right Equipment:Choose a mower that's appropriate for your lawn size. For larger lawns, consider upgrading to a ride-on or zero-turn mower to significantly reduce mowing time.

• Maintain Your Equipment:Regular maintenance of your mower ensures it operates at peak efficiency. Sharp blades cut grass more cleanly and quickly, reducing overall mowing time.

• Mow at the Optimal Height:Cutting grass at the right height (usually about 1/3 of its current length) reduces stress on the lawn and your mower, allowing for smoother and faster mowing.

• Plan Your Mowing Pattern: Develop an efficient mowing pattern that minimizes turning and overlapping. This can significantly reduce the time spent mowing, especially on larger lawns.

• Remove Obstacles: Clear your lawn of unnecessary obstacles before mowing. This reduces the need for maneuvering and trimming, streamlining the mowing process.

• Mow Regularly:Frequent mowing keeps grass at a manageable height, making each mowing session quicker and easier. It also promotes healthier grass growth.

• Consider an Automower:For hands-off lawn maintenance, invest in a robotic mower. These devices can mow your lawn daily, keeping it consistently tidy without any time investment from you.

Conclusion

So, how long does it take to mow a lawn? As we've seen, it depends on various factors, from your lawn's size and condition to the type and width of the mower you use. Generally, mowing an acre takes about 2.5 hours with a 19" push mower, 35 minutes with a 42" ride-on mower, and only 20 minutes with a 60" zero-turn mower. By considering these elements and implementing time-saving strategies, you can streamline your mowing routine and spend less time pushing that mower.

FAQ

Is it better to mow fast or slow?

The optimal mowing speed depends on various factors, including the type of mower, grass height, and terrain. While mowing faster can save time, it may result in an uneven cut or missed spots, especially with push mowers. For the best results, maintain a steady pace that will let the mower to effectively cut the grass without straining the engine or compromising the quality of the cut.

How long does it take to mow an acre?

It takes approximately 2.5 hours to mow an acre with a 19" push mower, 35 minutes with a 42" ride-on mower, and 20 minutes with a 60" zero-turn mower. These estimates assume short grass, minimal obstacles or slopes, and reasonable fitness levels for push mower calculations. However, actual mowing time can vary based on factors such as grass height, terrain, obstacles, and the operator's experience.

How long does it take to mow 20 acres?

The time required to mow 20 acres would depend highly on the type of mower used. If you use a large zero-turn mower with a 60-72 inch deck, mowing 20 acres would take approximately 5 to 8 hours. With a 42-54 inch riding mower or lawn tractor, though, it could take 8 to 13 hours. These times can vary significantly based on obstacles like trees or hills, and the grass's height and condition.