How to calculate square yards
Measure length and width in feet, multiply them, then divide by 9.
The formula
Square yards = length (ft) × width (ft) ÷ 9
Worked example
A room 12 feet by 15 feet is 180 square feet, or 20 square yards.
How to use this calculator
Enter the length and width of the area in feet. The square yard calculator multiplies them to get square feet and divides by 9 to give square yards. It is most useful when you are ordering carpet or turf, which are often priced by the square yard.
More examples
| Room size (ft) | Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 100 | 11.11 |
| 12 × 12 | 144 | 16.00 |
| 12 × 15 | 180 | 20.00 |
| 15 × 20 | 300 | 33.33 |
| 20 × 30 | 600 | 66.67 |
Feet and inches
Turn inches into a decimal of a foot by dividing by 12. A room 13 feet 6 inches by 11 feet is 13.5 × 11 = 148.5 square feet, or 16.5 square yards.
An L-shaped room
Split it into two rectangles. A 12 by 15 foot section and an 8 by 10 foot section add up to 260 square feet, or about 28.9 square yards.
What the result means for an order
The result is the area you need to cover. The amount you buy is usually a little more, because material is lost to cuts. For flooring, about 10% extra is a common allowance for a straight layout. For the 20 square yard room, that means ordering about 22 square yards.
Prices can be compared in either unit. Divide a price per square yard by 9 to get the price per square foot. At an example price of $30 per square yard, 22 square yards cost $660, and the price per square foot is about $3.33.
Square yards and cubic yards
Square yards measure a flat area. Mulch, soil, gravel and concrete are sold by the cubic yard, which adds depth. To cover 180 square feet at a depth of 3 inches, multiply 180 by 0.25 feet to get 45 cubic feet, then divide by 27. You need about 1.67 cubic yards.
What changes the result
- Length and width. Adding one foot to each side of a 12 by 15 foot room raises it from 20 to about 23.1 square yards.
- Units. If you measure in yards, multiply length by width and skip the division by 9.
- Shape. Closets, alcoves and angled walls add or remove area. Measure them separately.
Common mistakes
- Dividing square feet by 3. A yard is 3 feet, but a square yard is 9 square feet.
- Mixing feet and inches without converting the inches first.
- Ordering the exact area with no allowance for cuts.
- Using square yards for material that is sold by the cubic yard.
Related calculators
If you already have the area in square feet, use the square feet to square yards converter. For material with depth, use the square feet to cubic yards converter, and for a full flooring order try the flooring calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Why divide by 9?
A square yard is 3 feet by 3 feet, which is 9 square feet.
What is sold by the square yard?
Carpet, artificial turf and some fabrics.
How do I convert square yards to cubic yards?
Multiply by the depth in yards. Three inches is 0.083 yards.
How many square yards is a 12 by 12 room?
12 × 12 = 144 square feet. 144 ÷ 9 = 16 square yards.
How do I convert square yards back to square feet?
Multiply by 9. 20 square yards is 180 square feet.
How do I change a price per square yard to a price per square foot?
Divide by 9. An example price of $30 per square yard is about $3.33 per square foot.
Is a square yard the same as a yard?
No. A yard is a length of 3 feet. A square yard is an area 3 feet long and 3 feet wide.