Square Yard Calculator

What is a Square Yard?

A square yard (abbreviated sq yd, sq. yd., SQ YD) is an Imperial unit equal to the area of a square with sides 3 feet in length. There are 9 square feet in 1 square yard.

The dimensions of a square yard are:

• 3 feet x 3 feet
• 36 inches x 36 inches
• 0.836127 square meters

Knowing the square yardage of a space helps calculate how much material is required. The square yard often measures and sells flooring, turf, concrete, gravel, and other materials. Using an accurate square yard calculation ensures you purchase the right amount.

How to Calculate Square Yards

Figuring square yards manually is straightforward. Take the length x width of the area in feet and divide by 9.

Formula:

Square feet / 9 = Square yards

Example:

A room is 12 feet long x 15 feet wide

12 x 15 = 180 square feet

180 square feet / 9 = 20 square yards

To calculate square yards:

1. Measure length and width in feet
2. Multiply length x width to get square feet
3. Divide square feet by 9

An easy way to remember: 9 square feet = 1 square yard

Online Square Yard Calculator

While the math is straightforward, an online square yard calculator makes it even easier. Simply enter the dimensions, and the calculator performs the conversion instantly.

Square yard calculators can be found on many home improvement and construction sites. They provide a simple interface where you plug in the length and width or total square footage. The calculator automatically does the math to output the square yards.

Many calculators also include valuable options like:

• Converting square yards to square feet and vice versa
• The factor for 5% overage to account for waste
• Adjust for angled spaces
• Input dimensions in metric units like meters
• Calculate square yards of a circle
• Estimate cubic yards based on depth
• Adjust for the slope of a surface

Online calculators offer an easy, foolproof method for finding the square yardage of any area. They help eliminate math errors and save time.

Why Measure Square Yards?

There are a few key reasons square yards are used as a standard unit of measurement:

Flooring

The square yard measures and sells carpet, tile, wood, and vinyl flooring. An accurate square yardage ensures ordering enough flooring to cover the area.

Landscaping

Materials like sod, gravel, mulch, topsoil, and compost are calculated using square yards to determine how much you need.

Concrete

Concrete is measured by volume in cubic yards. Square yards x depth estimate how much concrete is required.

Asphalt

The square yard measures asphalt for paving driveways, parking lots, tennis courts, etc..

Drywall/Painting

The square footage of walls and ceilings is calculated in square yards to know how much drywall or paint is required.

Square yards are standard for many flooring, landscaping, and construction materials. A square yard calculator simplifies estimating the quantity needed.

Square Yardage for Common Spaces

To visualise typical square yardages:

• Small bedroom (10 x 12 feet) = 13 square yards
• Medium bedroom (12 x 15 feet) = 20 square yards
• Large master bedroom (15 x 20 feet) = 33 square yards
• Two car garage (20 x 20 feet) = 44 square yards
• Small living room (14 x 16 feet) = 23 square yards
• Medium living room (16 x 18 feet) = 26 square yards
• Large living room (20 x 25 feet) = 55 square yards
• Small front yard (20 x 30 feet) = 66 square yards
• Medium backyard (40 x 50 feet) = 222 square yards
• Large 1/4 acre yard (150 x 100 feet) = 1667 square yards

Knowing the approximate area for standard rooms and yard sizes provides a helpful reference point.

Converting Square Yards

In addition to calculating square yards, you may need to convert:

Square Feet to Square Yards

Divide the total square feet by 9 to get square yards.

Example:

378 square feet / 9 = 42 square yards

Square Yards to Square Feet

Multiply the square yards by 9 to get square feet.

Example:

24 square yards x 9 = 216 square feet

Square Meters to Square Yards

Multiply square meters by 1.19599 to convert to square yards.

Example:

50 square meters x 1.19599 = 59.80 square yards

Acres to Square Yards

Multiply acres by 4,840 to convert to square yards.

Example:

0.5 acres x 4,840 = 2,420 square yards

Online calculators simplify these conversions by including options for different units of measurement.

Estimating Landscaping Materials in Square Yards

Square yard calculations help determine how much material is needed for landscaping projects:

Sod

Measure the area to be sodded in square yards. Divide by 9 to get the number of sod rolls needed (each roll covers 9 sq yards).

Mulch

2-3 inches of mulch requires 1 cubic yard per 100 square yards.

Gravel

4-6 inches of gravel is 1 cubic yard per 150-200 square yards.

Topsoil

Plan for 6 yards of topsoil per 1,000 square feet (111 square yards).

Compost

An average of 1/4 to 1/2 inch compost requires 1 cubic yard per 500-1,000 square feet (55-110 square yards).

Grass Seed

Use 2-6 pounds of grass seed mix per 1,000 square feet (111 square yards).

Plants

Allow 1-3 plants per square yard, depending on plant size.

Using square yards when planning landscaping makes it easy to estimate the quantities and budget accurately.

Estimating Concrete in Square Yards

For concrete projects, the square yardage and thickness (in feet) provide the volume in cubic yards:

Formula:

Square yards x thickness (in feet) = cubic yards

Example:

Patio measuring 10 ft x 12 ft

10 ft x 12 ft = 120 sq ft

120 sq ft / 9 = 13.33 square yards

13.33 square yards x 0.167 ft (2 inch thickness) = 2.22 cubic yards

This formula estimates how much concrete is needed for patios, walkways, slabs, and more. Professionals can fine-tune it based on experience.

Using Square Yards for Flooring

The key reason homeowners and flooring contractors use square yards is for calculating flooring quantities.

Carpet

The carpet comes 12 or 15 feet wide. Divide the room’s square footage by 9 to get square yards.

Example: Master bedroom is 330 sq ft

330 sq ft / 9 = 36.6 square yards

Add 5-10% for cut waste.

Tile

Tile square footage is divided by 9 then add 10% for cuts and patterns.

Hardwood

Measure square footage and add 5-15% for intricate layouts.

Vinyl

Vinyl flooring requires precise square yardage with little waste factor.

Flooring professionals rely on accurate square yard measurements to give homeowners a precise quote.

Why You Need a Square Yardage Calculator

There are a few reasons an online square yard calculator is recommended:

• It does the math instantly with no errors.
• It includes handy options like waste factors and circle calculations.
• It lets you tweak dimensions to maximise use of materials.
• It saves time versus pencil and paper or calculator.
• It provides documentation of your square yardage estimate.
• It works for any shape and size space.
• It converts between all standard units like feet, yards, meters, etc.

Using a calculator is faster and more reliable than manual methods. It provides documentation of the exact square yardage calculation.

Calculating Odd-Shaped Areas

For irregular areas without straight sides, there are a few options to calculate square yards:

Divide into Rectangles

Break the shape down into manageable rectangles. Calculate each individually then add together.

Use Graph Paper

Sketch the outline on graph paper and count the square units inside the shape.

Online Image Tools

Upload a photo and use an online measuring tool like ImageMeter to draw lines and get dimensions.

Laser Measuring Tools

Use a laser distance meter that calculates the area. Walk around the perimeter, taking measurements.

Smartphone Apps

Apps like MagicPlan allow you to map outlines of the area onscreen and automatically calculate square footage and yards.

With some creativity and technology, even the most awkward spaced can have square yardage precisely calculated.

Accounting for Slope, Waste, and Other Factors

Some additional considerations when calculating square yards:

Slope

The square yardage must be adjusted using the cosine or slope factor on a sloped site. Otherwise, you’ll overestimate materials.

Waste Factor

Add 5-15% extra square yards, depending on the material, to account for unusable pieces, custom cuts, defects, etc.

Layout Efficiency

Materials like tile or wood with specific layout patterns often require 10-15% extra.

Circles

Use an online calculator to determine square yards in a circular or curved area.

Volume

For materials measured in cubic yards like concrete, multiply square yards by depth in feet.

Consider these factors when using a square yard calculator to get the most accurate real-world estimate.

Square Yardage for Everyday Spaces

To conceptualise typical square yardages:

• Office cubicle (8 ft x 8 ft) – 9 square yards
• One car parking space (9 ft x 18 ft) – 20 square yards
• King-size bed (8 ft x 6.5 ft) – 9 square yards
• Dining table (3.5 ft x 5 ft) – 4 square yards
• Twin bed (3 ft x 6.5 ft) – 3 square yards
• Small bathroom (5 ft x 7 ft) – 8 square yards
• Walk-in closet (4 ft x 6 ft) – 7 square yards
• Computer desk (2.5 ft x 4 ft) – 3 square yards

Knowing common square yardages helps provide a frame of reference when estimating project materials.

Square Yardage Formula Cheat Sheet

Use this handy summary:

• Square yards = Square feet / 9
• 1 square yard = 9 square feet
• Calculate total square feet by multiplying length x width
• Add 5-15% extra for waste, layouts, etc.
• Use an online calculator for best results.
• Converting units:
  • Square yards x 9 = Square feet
  • Square meters x 1.19599 = Square yards
  • Acres x 4,840 = Square yards
• For landscaping, allow:
  • 1 cubic yard per 100-200 square yards of gravel
  • 1 cubic yard per 500-1,000 square yards compost
  • 2-6 lbs grass seed per 1,000 sq ft (111 sq yd)
• For concrete, multiply square yards x thickness in feet = cubic yards

Use these helpful formulas and factors to make square yardage calculation simpler.

Square Yard Calculator Tips

Follow these tips when using a square yard calculator:

• Enter dimensions in feet to avoid conversion errors. Many accept meters too.
• For taped measurements, round to the nearest foot.
• Break oddly shaped areas into rectangles.
• Use a waste factor of 5-15% extra for most materials.
• For diagonal areas, reduce square footage by the cosine.
• Verify calculator results match expected quantities.
• Print or screenshot results for purchase records.
• Double-check totals for unusually large or small projects.
• Confirm depth measurements when calculating cubic yards.
• Re-calculate if plans or layouts change.

Taking a few minutes to use a calculator correctly will ensure you have the most accurate square yard estimation possible.

Square Yard Calculator for Asphalt

Looking to pave a driveway or parking lot? Asphalt is priced and ordered by the ton, with a standard ratio of 1 ton per square yard at 3 inches thick.

An asphalt calculator makes it easy. Simply enter the square footage or dimensions and thickness. The calculator will:

• Convert to total square yards
• The factor for compaction (typically 0.85)
• Determine tons of asphalt needed based on square yardage
• Estimate total cost based on asphalt tonnage and price per ton

This provides the information needed to get an accurate asphalt installation quote. Make sure they confirm the square yard measurement and thickness proposed.

Calculator for Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric helps block weeds under materials like gravel or mulch. Determine how much you need:

• Measure area in square yards
• Add 10% for overlap and waste
• Calculate square yards x 9 to get square feet
• Fabric comes in 3, 4, 6, 12 foot widths
• Get a combination of rolls to cover area
• Round up for extra – better too much than not enough!

An online calculator simplifies this process. Enter dimensions, then pick fabric width needed and it calculates total yardage required.

Concrete Calculator

For pouring concrete slabs, drives, patios, etc., you must estimate both square and cubic yards.

A concrete calculator makes it easy:

• Input your dimensions
• Enter a thickness in inches or feet
• Calculator determines:
  • Total square yards
  • Cubic yards of concrete needed
  • Yards of gravel base
  • Amount of rebar needed
  • Estimate of total concrete cost

This gives you all the key figures to estimate concrete materials and get accurate quotes. Make sure depth and square yards match what contractors propose.

Carpet Calculator

Flooring specialists use square yards to calculate how much new carpet is required. Use an online carpet calculator to determine:

• Total square footage of rooms
• Square yards needed (square feet divided by 9)
• The recommended amount to order with waste factor (typically 10%)
• Number of 12 ft wide rolls required
• Total cost based on carpet price per square yard

Enter all your room dimensions to estimate materials for flooring projects. Confirm quote pricing matches your square yardage total from the calculator.

The Reliable Square Yard

Whether laying a patio, carpeting a room, or planning a landscaping makeover, square yards provide a standard, versatile unit of measurement. With a quick online calculation, you can determine the square yardage for virtually any shape, space or material quantity needed. Use square yards to eliminate guesswork and get the most accurate quantities for your flooring, landscaping, and construction projects.