Square Feet to Square Yards Converter
Convert between square feet and square yards - Essential for flooring, carpeting, and landscaping projects
Convert Square Feet and Square Yards
Enter area in square feet
Enter area in square yards
Conversion Results
Other Area Units
Conversion Formula: 1 square yard = 9 square feet (3 ft × 3 ft)
To convert sq ft to sq yd: Divide by 9
To convert sq yd to sq ft: Multiply by 9
Common Square Feet to Square Yards Conversions
| Square Feet | Square Yards | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 sq ft | 1 sq yd | One square yard (3' × 3') |
| 27 sq ft | 3 sq yd | Small area rug |
| 45 sq ft | 5 sq yd | Medium carpet section |
| 90 sq ft | 10 sq yd | Small room carpeting |
| 180 sq ft | 20 sq yd | Bedroom carpeting |
| 270 sq ft | 30 sq yd | Large bedroom |
| 450 sq ft | 50 sq yd | Living room carpeting |
| 900 sq ft | 100 sq yd | Whole apartment flooring |
| 1,350 sq ft | 150 sq yd | Small house flooring |
| 1,800 sq ft | 200 sq yd | Medium house flooring |
Quick Reference
1 Square Yard Equals:
- • 9 square feet
- • 0.8361 square meters
- • 1,296 square inches
- • 8,361 square centimeters
- • 3 feet × 3 feet area
1 Square Foot Equals:
- • 0.1111 square yards
- • 144 square inches
- • 0.0929 square meters
- • 929 square centimeters
Conversion Tips
Remember: 9 sq ft = 1 sq yd (3 × 3)
Carpet/flooring often sold by square yard
Always add 10% extra for waste and cuts
Useful for landscaping and concrete projects
Understanding Square Feet and Square Yards
What is a Square Foot?
A square foot (sq ft or ft²) is an imperial unit of area representing the space occupied by a square with sides measuring one foot (12 inches) each. It's the most common unit for measuring room sizes, floor areas, and property in the United States.
Common Uses of Square Feet:
- •Real estate listings and floor plans
- •Room dimensions and layout planning
- •Paint and wallpaper coverage calculations
- •Construction material estimating
What is a Square Yard?
A square yard (sq yd or yd²) is an imperial unit of area representing the space occupied by a square with sides measuring one yard (3 feet or 36 inches) each. It's commonly used in the flooring, carpeting, and landscaping industries.
Common Uses of Square Yards:
- •Carpet and flooring material sales
- •Concrete and paving calculations
- •Landscaping and turf installation
- •Fabric and textile measurements
How to Convert Square Feet to Square Yards
Method 1: Division
To convert square feet to square yards, divide the area in square feet by 9:
Square Yards = Square Feet ÷ 9
Example:
Convert 450 square feet to square yards:
450 ÷ 9 = 50 square yards
Method 2: Multiplication (Square Yards to Square Feet)
To convert square yards to square feet, multiply the area in square yards by 9:
Square Feet = Square Yards × 9
Example:
Convert 25 square yards to square feet:
25 × 9 = 225 square feet
Why 9?
The conversion factor of 9 comes from the relationship between feet and yards:
- • 1 yard = 3 feet (linear measurement)
- • 1 square yard = 1 yd × 1 yd = 3 ft × 3 ft = 9 square feet
- • When converting area, you square the linear conversion factor: 3² = 9
Practical Examples and Applications
🏠 Flooring & Carpeting
Small Bedroom
120 sq ft = 13.33 sq yd
10' × 12' room
Living Room
270 sq ft = 30 sq yd
15' × 18' room
Whole House
1,800 sq ft = 200 sq yd
Medium-sized home
🌱 Landscaping
Small Lawn
450 sq ft = 50 sq yd
Front yard turf
Medium Garden
900 sq ft = 100 sq yd
Backyard landscaping
Large Yard
2,700 sq ft = 300 sq yd
Suburban lot
🏗️ Construction
Driveway
360 sq ft = 40 sq yd
Single car, 20' × 18'
Patio
180 sq ft = 20 sq yd
12' × 15' outdoor space
Concrete Slab
540 sq ft = 60 sq yd
Garage floor
📏 Material Estimation
Carpet Roll
12' wide × 30' long = 40 sq yd
Standard carpet roll
Area Rug
63 sq ft = 7 sq yd
9' × 7' rug
Artificial Turf
225 sq ft = 25 sq yd
15' × 15' area
Why Square Yards Matter for Material Costs
Industry Standards
Many flooring and landscaping materials are priced by the square yard rather than square foot. Understanding this conversion helps you:
- ✓Compare prices accurately across suppliers
- ✓Calculate total project costs correctly
- ✓Order the right amount of materials
- ✓Avoid costly shortages or excess
Cost Calculation Example
Carpet Installation:
Room Size: 360 sq ft (40 sq yd)
Carpet Price: $25 per square yard
Calculation: 40 sq yd × $25 = $1,000
Note: If the price was given as $2.78 per square foot (equivalent), you'd calculate: 360 sq ft × $2.78 = $1,001
Always add 10% for waste: $1,000 + $100 = $1,100 total
Frequently Asked Questions
How many square feet are in a square yard?
There are exactly 9 square feet in one square yard. This is because 1 yard equals 3 feet, and when calculating area, you multiply 3 × 3 = 9. So a square yard (3 ft × 3 ft) contains 9 square feet.
How do I convert 450 square feet to square yards?
To convert 450 square feet to square yards, divide by 9: 450 ÷ 9 = 50 square yards. This is useful when calculating carpeting needs, as carpet is typically sold by the square yard.
Why is carpet sold by the square yard instead of square foot?
Carpet and many flooring materials are traditionally sold by the square yard because it results in smaller, more manageable numbers for pricing. A $25 per square yard price is easier to work with than $2.78 per square foot. This tradition continues in the flooring industry today.
How much carpet do I need for a 12' × 15' room?
A 12' × 15' room is 180 square feet. Convert to square yards: 180 ÷ 9 = 20 square yards. However, carpet typically comes in 12-foot widths, so for a 12' × 15' room, you'd need a 15-foot length of 12-foot-wide carpet. Always add 10% extra for waste and pattern matching.
What's the difference between linear yards and square yards?
Linear yards measure length only (1 yard = 3 feet), while square yards measure area (1 sq yd = 9 sq ft). When buying carpet that's 12 feet wide, 1 linear yard equals 12 square feet of carpet (3 ft × 12 ft). Always clarify whether pricing is per linear yard or square yard.
How do I calculate concrete for a patio in square yards?
First, measure your patio dimensions in feet and calculate square footage. For example, a 15' × 20' patio is 300 square feet. Convert to square yards: 300 ÷ 9 = 33.33 square yards. For concrete, you also need to factor in thickness (typically 4 inches) to calculate cubic yards.
Is it better to measure flooring in square feet or square yards?
Use square feet for planning and measuring your space, as it's more precise. However, convert to square yards when ordering materials since most flooring products are priced and sold by the square yard. This helps you get accurate quotes and compare prices from different suppliers.