Square Yard Calculator
Calculate surface area in square yards, square feet, and square meters.
Free to use. Calculations run in your browser.
At a glance
Square Yard Calculator
For a rectangle, square yards = length in feet × width in feet ÷ 9. If both dimensions are in yards, multiply them directly. No depth is needed for surface area.
Area and depth
How to figure square yards
Square yards = length (ft) × width (ft) ÷ 9
A 12 ft by 15 ft rectangle has 180 square feet, or 20 square yards. A square uses equal length and width. Measure the full surface needed, then consider material specific cuts, overlaps, or allowances separately.
The unit selectors convert each dimension independently. For dimensions in inches, divide their product by 1,296 to get square yards. A square yard is 36 inches along each edge, so its area is 36 × 36 square inches.
Area and depth
Circles and triangles
For a circle, enter its full diameter. The area is π × (diameter ÷ 2)². For a triangle, enter the base and the perpendicular height. Its area is base × height ÷ 2. When those dimensions are in feet, divide the resulting square feet by 9.
A 12 ft diameter circle has an area of π × 6² = about 113.097 ft², or 12.566 yd². A triangle with a 12 ft base and 6 ft perpendicular height has an area of 12 × 6 ÷ 2 = 36 ft², or 4 yd². The perpendicular height is measured at a right angle to the base, rather than along a sloping side. The illustration uses a centered triangle because base and height alone do not determine its skew.
Area and depth
Square yards versus cubic yards
Square yards describe area. Cubic yards describe volume and need a depth. The phrase cubic square yard combines two different units and should be clarified before calculating.
If you are estimating concrete, soil, or mulch, take the surface area from this tool and use a depth in the square yards to cubic yards calculator. This area tool does not assign a material thickness.
Common questions
Square Yard questions, answered.
How many square feet are in a square yard?
Exactly 9 square feet. One yard is 3 feet, so a square yard is 3 × 3 square feet.
What is a 12 ft by 15 ft area in square yards?
It is 180 ÷ 9 = 20 square yards. It has no fixed cubic yard volume until a thickness or depth is supplied.
Can I use square yardage to order carpet or flooring?
The measured surface area can be a starting point. Product widths, seams, pattern matching, cutting, and waste may change the purchase quantity. Apply the relevant product or installer requirements separately.
Do I divide a length in yards by 9?
No. The factor of 9 converts square feet to square yards. A length in feet converts to yards by dividing by 3. Keep length and area units distinct.
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