What to measure
How to use the square yard calculator
Choose a rectangle or circle and enter its size. Add an optional waste percentage (for carpet, use the carpet calculator, which also plans the roll cuts) and a price per square yard.
The formula
Square yards = length (ft) × width (ft) ÷ 9
Worked example: 12 × 15 ft room
- 12 × 15 = 180 sq ft
- 180 ÷ 9 = 20 square yards (16.72 m²)
Quick conversions
| Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|
| 100 | 11.11 |
| 144 (12 × 12) | 16 |
| 200 | 22.22 |
| 500 | 55.56 |
| 1,000 | 111.11 |
Square yards by room size
The last column adds 10% for trimming and waste. If the material is sold in whole square yards, round it up.
| Room | Square feet | Square yards | With 10% extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 ft | 100 | 11.11 | 12.22 |
| 10 × 12 ft | 120 | 13.33 | 14.67 |
| 12 × 12 ft | 144 | 16 | 17.6 |
| 12 × 15 ft | 180 | 20 | 22 |
| 12 × 18 ft | 216 | 24 | 26.4 |
| 15 × 20 ft | 300 | 33.33 | 36.67 |
| 20 × 20 ft | 400 | 44.44 | 48.89 |
| 20 × 30 ft | 600 | 66.67 | 73.33 |
Common mistakes
- Dividing by 3 instead of 9. A yard is 3 ft, but a square yard is 3 × 3 = 9 sq ft.
- Dividing inches by 9. Convert inches to feet first, or pick inches in the unit menu and let the calculator convert.
- Leaving out closets and doorways when the material runs into them.
- Using square yards for fill. Soil, gravel and concrete need a depth too, so they are measured in cubic yards.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate square yards?
Multiply length × width in feet to get square feet, then divide by 9, since a square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft. A 12 × 15 ft room is 180 ÷ 9 = 20 square yards.
How many square feet are in a square yard?
Nine. One square yard is about 0.836 square meters.
What's the difference between square yards and cubic yards?
Square yards measure area (carpet, sod). Cubic yards measure volume (concrete, soil, gravel) and need a depth too. Use the cubic yard calculator for those.
How do I convert price per square foot to price per square yard?
Multiply by 9. Carpet at $3 per sq ft is $27 per sq yd.
How many square yards is a 10 × 12 room?
13.33 square yards (120 sq ft). With 10% extra for waste, 14.67 square yards.
How many square yards is a 12 ft circle?
A round area 12 ft across is 113.1 sq ft, or 12.57 square yards.
How many square yards of sod for a 20 × 30 ft lawn?
66.67 square yards (600 sq ft). With 10% extra for trimming around edges and curves, 73.33 square yards.
How many square yards are in an acre?
4,840. An acre is 43,560 sq ft, and 43,560 ÷ 9 = 4,840 square yards.
How do I find the square yards of an L-shaped room?
Split it into two rectangles, add their square feet, then divide by 9. A 12 × 15 ft room with a 6 × 8 ft alcove is 180 + 48 = 228 sq ft, or 25.33 square yards.
Sources
Formulas and defaults last reviewed October 30, 2026. How we check our math.