If you want a clean-looking garden, then a lawnmower is a must. There are no better alternatives than having a lawnmower. Whenever you see grass or weeds have grown too much, you need to mow your lawn.

Nowadays, lawnmowers can come in different shapes and sizes, and models, each having its advantage and uses.

However, your job isn’t done only by selecting the lawnmower that best suits your need.

The first and foremost step while starting to mow is to measure the perfect cutting height. It’s crucial to start by cutting the grass at the correct size.

If you cut your grass too short, you risk exposing your lawn to weeds and allowing it to be quickly destroyed by sunlight.

Cut too tall, and your garden does not look good. Grass can also pose problems during the next mowing session.

So, what you need to do is measure the perfect lawn mower cutting height, and today, our guide will give you an ideal step-by-step tutorial on how to measure lawn mower cutting height.

Size Requirements for Different Types of Grass

Before you alter your lawn mower height settings, you need the optimal height of different grass types. This will help you to adjust the height of your lawnmower accordingly.

Down below, I discuss the optimal height for different kinds of grass. In different seasons, various grasses thrive differently.

The cutting height of a lawnmower varies depending on the condition of the turf.

Cool Season Grass

Cool-season means where the temperature is in a range of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. In this cool season, many types of grass grow very well. Let us see the kinds of grass you can grow in the cool season and the ideal height.

  • Buffalograss – 2 to 3 inches
  • Tall Fescue – 2 to 4 inches
  • Fine Fescue – 1.5 to 2.5 inches
  • Ray grass – 1.5 to 2.5 inches

Warm Season Grass

Above, we have seen the height of different types of cool-season grass. Now let us see which grasses grow in the warm season and their ideal height. The warm season temperature is usually in a range of 80–95-degree Fahrenheit.

  • Zoysia – 0.5 to 1.5 inches
  • Bahiagrass – 2 to 3 inches
  • Centipidegrass – 1.5 to 2.5 inches
  • St. Augustine – 2 to 4 inches
  • Bermuda Grass – 2 to 3 inches

Try to mow these grasses in the height range given above to ensure healthy grass and a good-looking lawn.

Step by Step Guide on How to Measure The Lawn Mower Height

  • Step 1: Identifying the type of grass you will mow
  • Step 2: Adjust your lawnmower height settings accordingly to step 1
  • Step 3: Test mowing
  • Step 4: Checking the height

These 4 are the basic steps that you need to follow to measure lawn mower cutting height. Now I will describe the steps to make the process easier for you.

Step 1: Identifying the Type of Grass You will Mow

First and foremost, before adjusting the cutting height of your lawnmower, you need to identify what types of grass you are growing in your yard.

The kind of grass you have in your lawn or yard is one factor to remember when deciding the proper cutting height.

Since there are so many different grasses, which we have already discussed in the grass-cutting height chart above, my suggestion will be to refer to the chart above to find the ideal height.

Step 2: Adjust the Height of the Lawn Mower according to the Grass You have on Your Lawn

At first, you need to measure the point where the mower housing meets the ruler.

For this, you will need either a ruler or a measuring tape; this is essential if you want to have the perfect cut of ideal height. Keep in mind that the blades would not be able to break into the housing.

After this, change the mower’s height based on the grass’s height on your lawn. The height adjustment mechanism depends on the lawnmower’s brand and model and the type of lawnmower you are using.

You should check the user manual to be sure of how to adjust the height.

But, in general, the simple method for adjusting the height of a smaller lawnmower is to pull the lawn mower height adjustment lever, which is usually placed close to the wheels. In contrast, the height is usually regulated by a large leaver on larger lawnmowers.

Step 3: Test Mowing

After you have followed the first two steps, now you should do some test mowing. For the test mowing, you can select a small patch of the area on your lawn and try mowing to see if everything is okay or not.

Step 4: Check the Height

When you’ve mowed the test patch, use a scale to determine the height of the grass that you have cut and compare it with the height of the uncut grass on your lawn. Check to see if the length omitted is less than a third of the overall grass blade height.

If it’s less or more than a third, raise or lower the mower before you reach the target height.

Make height adjustments according to your preferred height, and after you have found the correct height; You are now ready to mow your entire lawn.

Tips for Cutting Grass

cutting grass with lawnmower

1. The One-third Rule

You need to follow the one-third rule, which is basically the general rule of thumb.

The rule is simple to understand, which means you should refrain from cutting more than 1/3 of the height in one season.

The optimum grass height is determined by the variety of grass in your yard; again, refer to the grass cutting height chart to find out the perfect height of the grass you have in your lawn.

It would be best if you let it grow more than a third of the ideal height before mowing again, and this way, you will have the perfect-looking lawn.

As it can be challenging to go out every time and measure the grass height with a ruler, you can follow an easy step.

Draw a line one-third higher than the optimal height of the grass over one of the lawnmower’s tires.

Draw an arrow to indicate whether you’re going up or down.

Bring the mower out when you think it’s time to mow and check where the grass is in comparison to the line you’ve drawn.

2. Cut to the Perfect Height

Mowing can be difficult if you don’t do it perfectly, and you will be left with a messy garden.

Hence, you have to measure and then cut accordingly. Be patient while cutting so that you cut too much or too little.

3. There Should be No Scheduled Mowing Sessions.

You may make a schedule of everything you do, and that is the right way to go, but for mowing, the scenario is different.

You shouldn’t schedule a mowing session.

The height of the lawn can be the determining factor to suggest when to mow.

Before you mow, make sure the height is a third higher than the optimum height for the grass kind you have.

4. Keep the Blades Clean and Sharp.

Always keep your lawnmower blades clean and sharp, and make sure they are sharp before you start to mow.

If you work with dull blades, you have to put more pressure to cut the same area, and it also has a higher possibility of stressing the grass.

5. Mowing at Correct Times

Mowing at the correct time is necessary. Always try to mow in at early evening as your grass at that time will be dry, and as a result, the mower would not clog or be damaged by moisture.

When you mow damp grass in your lawnmower, the moisture in the soil and the damp grass will make mowing even more challenging. The lawn will jam up the mower.

6. Change Things Up

Try to change your mowing pattern; it is recommended that you should often change your mowing pattern to grow your grass better. Mowing in the same pattern often compact the soil and causes ruts.

Summing Up

As a gardener, you can always stay confused on how to measure lawn mower cutting height.

Hence today, we designed this guide to give you all garden enthusiasts a tutorial on how you can measure the mower cutting height and have the perfect cut to ensure a healthy and beautiful-looking lawn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you Measure the Height of a Mower Deck?

Place a ruler against the blade housing structure. Bear in mind that the blades won’t cut underneath the housing, so measure where the housing base meets the ruler.

Should you Mow Wet Grass?

No, you should not mow wet grass as mowing wet grass will make your work much harder due to too much moisture in the soil. Moreover, the soil will stick to your lawnmower blades and clog up the mower.

Which Month is Suitable for Cutting Crass?

The month to cut grass highly depends on the area you live in and the climate and weather conditions of that region.

Generally, spring is the perfect time to have your first mowing session of the year, usually around April.

And then follow the one-third rule, let the grass grow to a third of its ideal height, and then mow it again according to it.