How to convert square feet to square yards
Divide square feet by 9.
square yards = square feet ÷ 9
A yard is exactly 3 feet, so one square yard is 3 × 3 = 9 square feet.[1] A 12 ft × 15 ft space is 180 sq ft, and 180 ÷ 9 = 20 square yards. If you measured in yards already, multiply them directly: 4 yd × 5 yd = 20 sq yd.
The yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters, so one square yard is exactly 0.83612736 m².[1] To go from square meters to square yards, multiply by 1.19599. A 4 m × 5 m patio is 20 m², or about 23.9 sq yd.
Common areas in square yards
A 12 × 12 ft room is 16 square yards and a 12 × 15 ft space is 20.
| Size (ft) | Square feet | Square yards | Square meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 100 | 11.11 | 9.29 |
| 10 × 12 | 120 | 13.33 | 11.15 |
| 12 × 12 | 144 | 16 | 13.38 |
| 12 × 15 | 180 | 20 | 16.72 |
| 15 × 20 | 300 | 33.33 | 27.87 |
| 20 × 20 | 400 | 44.44 | 37.16 |
| 20 × 30 | 600 | 66.67 | 55.74 |
| 25 × 40 | 1,000 | 111.11 | 92.9 |
| 30 × 50 | 1,500 | 166.67 | 139.35 |
| 50 × 100 | 5,000 | 555.56 | 464.52 |
Measuring an odd-shaped area
Split it into simple shapes, measure each one and add the areas.
Very few beds, lawns or rooms are perfect rectangles. Split the space into simple shapes, measure each one, and add them together. That is what the Add another area button does.
- L-shaped: two rectangles. A 20 × 12 ft area with an 8 × 6 ft notch cut out is easier as 20 × 6 plus 12 × 6 ft.
- Round bed: a circle. Measure straight across the widest point for the diameter.
- Corner wedge: a triangle. Use the base and the height at right angles to it, not the sloping side.
- Ring around a tree: the ring shape subtracts the inner circle from the outer one.
The guide to measuring irregular areas works through a full example with a diagram.
Square yards or cubic yards?
Square yards measure a surface: landscape fabric, sod, artificial turf, carpet. Cubic yards measure a volume: anything poured or spread to a depth, such as gravel, mulch and soil. To turn an area into a volume you need a depth, and one cubic yard spread 1 inch deep covers 324 sq ft (36 sq yd). The cubic yard calculator does that step, and the coverage chart lists it for every common depth.
Rounding upRolls and pieces rarely fit an area exactly. For sheet goods, add the waste your installer or the product instructions call for; for seams and pattern matching it can be more than you expect.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a square yard?
Nine. A square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft.[1]
How do I calculate square yards from feet?
Multiply length by width in feet to get square feet, then divide by 9. Example: 15 × 21 ft = 315 sq ft ÷ 9 = 35 sq yd.
How many square yards are in a 12 × 12 room?
144 sq ft ÷ 9 = 16 square yards.
How many square yards are in an acre?
An acre is 43,560 sq ft, which is 4,840 square yards or about 4,047 m².[1]
How do I convert square meters to square yards?
Multiply by 1.19599. For example, 30 m² × 1.196 ≈ 35.9 sq yd.