What is a Square Yard?
A square yard (sq yd or yd²) is a unit of area equal to the area of a square with sides one yard (3 feet) long. It equals 9 square feet or approximately 0.836 square meters. Square yards are commonly used in the United States for measuring carpet, flooring, fabric, paving, and landscaping materials.
Many flooring retailers and contractors price materials per square yard rather than per square foot. Converting between square feet and square yards is therefore a common necessity in construction and home improvement projects.
Square Yard Formulas
Conversion Table
| From | To | Multiply By |
|---|---|---|
| Square Yards | Square Feet | 9 |
| Square Feet | Square Yards | 0.1111 |
| Square Yards | Square Meters | 0.8361 |
| Square Yards | Acres | 0.000207 |
Worked Example
A room 30 ft (10 yd) by 24 ft (8 yd):
= 720 sq ft = 66.89 m²
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert square feet to square yards?
Divide the number of square feet by 9. For example, 900 sq ft / 9 = 100 sq yd.
Why is carpet sold by the square yard?
Carpet has traditionally been manufactured and sold in rolls that are 12 feet (4 yards) wide. Pricing by the square yard was a natural convention. However, many retailers now also quote prices per square foot for easier comparison.
How many square yards in an acre?
One acre contains 4,840 square yards.