The ideal height to cut your grass depends primarily on the type of grass you have, which generally falls into two categories: cool-season grasses and warm- season grasses. For cool-season grasses (such as tall fescue, fine fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass), the recommended cutting height is typically between 3 to 4 inches. In spring and summer, aim for around 3 to 4 inches, while in fall, you can reduce it slightly to about 3 inches. Keeping the grass taller during hot or dry weather helps shade the soil and reduce water loss
. For warm-season grasses (such as Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, centipede grass, and zoysia grass), the optimal cutting height is shorter, usually between 2 to 2.5 inches. In summer, maintain this height, and in fall, you can leave it a bit longer (around 2.5 to 3 inches) to protect the grass during winter
. Additional tips:
- Never cut more than one-third of the grass blade length at a time to avoid stressing the lawn and weakening the roots
- Adjust mowing height seasonally: higher in hot/dry periods, slightly lower in spring to remove winter damage and encourage growth
- Use a ruler or tape measure to check grass height accurately
In summary, cut cool-season grasses to about 3-4 inches tall and warm-season grasses to about 2-2.5 inches, adjusting slightly by season and weather conditions for optimal lawn health.
