Carpet, artificial turf, landscape fabric and some paving work are priced by the square yard. A square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft, so it contains 9 ft². Measure in whatever unit is handy; the calculator converts everything for you.
How to use the Square Yards Calculator
- Area shape
- Length (or diameter)
- Width (or triangle height)
- Number of identical areas
- Waste allowance
- Price
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Pick the shape, enter the dimensions, the number of identical areas and a waste allowance. The area is computed in square metres internally and shown in square yards, square feet and square metres, then multiplied by the price per square yard.
Tips for an accurate estimate
- Measure every dimension twice and write the unit next to each number – most estimating errors are unit mix-ups (inches entered as feet).
- Pick the unit in each field’s menu instead of converting by hand; the calculator converts everything to the same base before it multiplies.
- Round up only at the very end. Rounding each dimension first can add several percent to the final quantity.
- Suppliers sell in whole units – bags, boxes, sheets or quarter yards – so always round the final order up, not down.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mixing square and cubic units: square feet measure area, cubic yards measure volume, and you need a depth to go from one to the other.
- Using nominal lumber sizes where actual sizes matter (a 2×4 is really 1½ × 3½ in).
- Forgetting that 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, not 9 ft³ (9 is for square yards).
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Area shape | Choose one: Rectangle / square, Circle (length = diameter), Triangle (length = base, width = height) |
| Length (or diameter) | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Width (or triangle height) | Units: ft, m, in, yd, cm |
| Number of identical areas | A number |
| Waste allowance | In % |
| Price | Units: /yd², /ft², /m² |
What each result means
- Area to buy (with waste) = [Area]×(1 + [Waste allowance]÷100)
- Cost = [Area to buy (with waste)]×[Price]
Example values
How the main result changes when Length changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Length (or diameter) (ft) | Area (yd²) |
|---|---|
| 7.5 | 10 |
| 11.25 | 15 |
| 15 | 20 |
| 18.75 | 25 |
| 22.5 | 30 |
| 30 | 40 |
Formula
Square yards = square feet ÷ 9Rectangle: L × W; Circle: π D² ÷ 4; Triangle: base × height ÷ 2Worked example
Inputs — Area shape: Rectangle / square; Length (or diameter): 15 ft; Width (or triangle height): 12 ft; Number of identical areas: 1; Waste allowance: 10 %; Price: $30 /yd².
Results — Area = 20 yd²; Area to buy (with waste) = 22 yd²; Cost = $660.00.
Key terms
- Square yard
- 9 ft², 1,296 in² or 0.836 m².
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a square yard?
Nine (3 ft × 3 ft). Divide square feet by 9 to get square yards.
How many square yards is a 12 × 15 ft room?
180 ft² ÷ 9 = 20 yd².
How do I convert square yards to square metres?
Multiply by 0.8361.
What formula does the Square Yards Calculator use?
Square yards = square feet ÷ 9.