Sqft to Square Yards Calculator
Carpet and concrete are often priced by the square yard. Divide square feet by 9 — or use the converter below.
To convert square feet to square yards, divide by 9. A 450 sq ft room is 450 ÷ 9 = 50 square yards. The divisor is 9 because a square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft.
One square yard = 9 square feet exactly (3 ft × 3 ft). Note this is different from a cubic yard, which is a volume.
Square feet to square yards
A yard is 3 feet, so a square yard is 3 × 3 = 9 square feet.
- Sq ft → sq yd: divide by 9
- Sq yd → sq ft: multiply by 9
The mistake to avoid is dividing by 3. As with inches, you are converting area, so the factor is applied twice.
Buying carpet by the square yard
Carpet has historically been priced per square yard, and many suppliers still quote that way — which makes comparing quotes confusing when one is per square foot and the other per square yard.
To compare fairly, convert the square yard price to square feet by dividing by 9. Carpet at $27 per square yard is $27 ÷ 9 = $3 per square foot.
Carpet also comes on rolls of a fixed width, usually 12 ft, so the practical amount you buy is driven by how the roll cuts into your room. That often means paying for more than your bare square footage.
Square yards are not cubic yards
These get mixed up constantly, particularly on landscaping and concrete jobs.
- Square yard — an area, 9 square feet
- Cubic yard — a volume, 27 cubic feet
Topsoil, mulch, gravel and concrete are sold by the cubic yard. If you need those, use the sqft to cubic feet calculator, which converts area plus depth into volume.
Square feet to square yards table
| Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|
| 90 sq ft | 10 sq yd |
| 144 sq ft | 16 sq yd |
| 225 sq ft | 25 sq yd |
| 450 sq ft | 50 sq yd |
| 900 sq ft | 100 sq yd |
| 1,200 sq ft | 133.33 sq yd |
| 1,800 sq ft | 200 sq yd |
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert sqft to sqyd?
Divide the square footage by 9. A 450 square foot room is 50 square yards.
How many square feet are in a square yard?
There are 9 square feet in one square yard, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 = 9.
Why do carpet suppliers use square yards?
It is a historical convention in the flooring trade. Many suppliers still quote per square yard, so when comparing prices convert one to the other — divide the square yard price by 9 to get the price per square foot.
Is a square yard the same as a cubic yard?
No. A square yard is an area equal to 9 square feet. A cubic yard is a volume equal to 27 cubic feet, and it is what soil, mulch and concrete are sold by.
How many square yards is a 12x15 room?
A 12 by 15 foot room is 180 square feet, which is 180 ÷ 9 = 20 square yards.