Square Feet to Square Yards for Carpet
Divide square feet by 9. A 12 × 12 ft room is 144 sq ft = 16 square yards. To compare prices, multiply a per-sq-ft price by 9 to get the per-sq-yd price.
Why divide by 9?
A square yard is a square 3 ft on each side, so it contains 3 × 3 = 9 square feet. (Linear yards are 3 ft, but square yards are 9 sq ft. Mixing those up is the classic error.) So sq yd = sq ft ÷ 9, and sq ft = sq yd × 9.
Chart
| Sq ft | Sq yd |
|---|---|
| 100 | 11.11 |
| 120 | 13.33 |
| 144 | 16.00 |
| 150 | 16.67 |
| 200 | 22.22 |
| 250 | 27.78 |
| 300 | 33.33 |
| 400 | 44.44 |
| 500 | 55.56 |
| 1000 | 111.11 |
Comparing carpet prices
One store quotes $3.00 per sq ft and another $25 per sq yd. Which is cheaper? $3.00 × 9 = $27 per sq yd, so the $25/sq yd carpet costs less per unit. Check whether each quote includes pad and installation, as they're often priced separately.
Why the carpet you buy is more than the room
Broadloom carpet commonly comes off rolls of a fixed width, often 12 ft (some products come in other widths). In a room wider than the roll, the installer adds a seam and a strip, and the leftover piece may not be usable elsewhere. Pile direction also has to match across seams. That's why a carpet order is often bigger than the room's exact area. Ask the installer for their measured quantity, which will include the seam layout.
From room size to square yards
Measure length and width in feet, multiply for square feet, then divide by 9. A 13' 6" × 11' bedroom is 13.5 × 11 = 148.5 sq ft = 16.5 sq yd before any roll layout. Use the room square footage guide for closets and odd shapes.
Related
FAQ
How many square yards is a 12x12 room?
144 sq ft ÷ 9 = 16 square yards.
How do I convert square feet to square yards?
Divide by 9, because a square yard is 3 ft × 3 ft = 9 sq ft.
Is $3 per square foot the same as $27 per square yard?
Yes. Multiply a per-square-foot price by 9 to get the per-square-yard price.