Square Yard Calculator
1 square yard = 9 square feet = 0.836 square meters. A 12 × 12 ft room is 144 sq ft, which is 16 square yards. Add each room below, include a waste allowance for carpet, and get the total square yards and cost.
Rooms / areas
Options
%
10% is typical for carpet.
$/yd²
Total square yards
16sq yd
144 sq ft · with 10% waste, order 17.6 sq yd.
Square feet
144 sq ft
Square meters
13.38 m²
With waste
17.6 sq yd
Show the math
total area = 144 sq ft
square yards = 144 ÷ 9 = 16
+ 10% waste = 17.6 sq yd
How to use this calculator
- Enter each room or area as length × width in feet, or type a square-foot value directly.
- Use "Add another area" for multiple rooms.
- Add a waste allowance — 10% is typical for carpet.
- Optionally enter a price per square yard.
- Read the total in square yards.
Formula
square yards = square feet ÷ 9
square feet = length (ft) × width (ft)
Worked example
A 12 × 12 ft room:
area = 12 × 12 = 144 sq ft
square yards = 144 ÷ 9 = 16 sq yd
Reference tables
| Room (ft) | Square feet | Square yards |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 10 | 100 | 11.1 |
| 12 × 12 | 144 | 16.0 |
| 12 × 15 | 180 | 20.0 |
| 15 × 20 | 300 | 33.3 |
| 20 × 20 | 400 | 44.4 |
1 sq yd = 9 sq ft = 0.836 m².
Tips & buying advice
- Carpet is usually sold by the square yard; tile and laminate by the square foot — convert before you compare prices.
- Add about 10% for carpet waste, more for diagonal or patterned layouts.
- Measure each room separately and add them, rather than averaging, to avoid under-ordering.
- Round up to the nearest half or full square yard when ordering rolls.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in a square yard?
There are 9 square feet in a square yard, because a yard is 3 feet and 3 × 3 = 9. To convert square feet to square yards, divide by 9.
How do I calculate square yards for carpet?
Measure each room's length and width in feet, multiply to get square feet, add the rooms together, then divide by 9. Add about 10% for waste and seams before ordering.
What is the difference between square yards and cubic yards?
Square yards measure area (a flat surface, like carpet). Cubic yards measure volume (a quantity of material with depth, like concrete or soil). They are not interchangeable.
How many square yards is a 12×15 room?
A 12 × 15 ft room is 180 square feet, which is 20 square yards (180 ÷ 9). Add a waste allowance when ordering carpet or turf.
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Sources
- Inch Calculator: Square Footage Calculator — area and square-yard conversions — accessed October 8, 2026
- Inch Calculator: Carpet Calculator — measuring carpet in square yards (1 sq yd = 9 sq ft) — accessed October 8, 2026
Built and maintained by Sikander Mushtaq. Formulas checked against standard unit conversions (1 sq yd = 9 sq ft). See our methodology and sources, or learn about YardageMath.
Last updated:
Estimates only. Confirm quantities with your supplier or contractor. Read the full disclaimer.