How to Determine Sprinkler Heads Per Zone

An automatic sprinkler system keeps lawns looking healthy and beautiful whatever the weather, but they must be installed properly to function well. The number of sprinklers per zone depends on the pounds per square inch pressure (PSI) and gallons per minute (GPM) flow of the system as well as the gallons per minute used by each sprinkler head. Sprinkler heads use more gallons per minute at higher PSI but can be spaced farther apart.

1. How many sprinklers can I run on one line?

The resulting number will equal how many zones you need. If, for example, each sprinkler head will require a flow rate of 1.31 GPM and you have 20 of them, then you will need 26.2 GPM total. If your system can only handle 16.67, you will need to use two zones to cover that same area of your yard.

2. How many sprinkler heads can you put on a zone?

At different pressures, the sprinkler head and nozzle will consume different amounts of water. For example, at 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) the 5000 Series Rotor using the 3.0 nozzle will use 3.11 gallons per minute (GPM). If your home’s water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone. At different pressures, the sprinkler head and nozzle will consume different amounts of water. For example, at 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) the 5000 Series Rotor using the 3.0 nozzle will use 3.11 gallons per minute (GPM). If your home’s water capacity was 10 GPM, you could place 3 heads per zone

How to Calculate Lawn Irrigation Water Usage and Costs

• Rule of thumb is to make sure your lawn receives 1″ of water to your lawn per

• Lawn with one inch of water takes a little over half a gallon per square foot

• While city water systems usually give separate prices for water and sewer