Square Yard (yd²)

Definition

A square yard (yd²) is a unit of area in the imperial and US customary systems. It represents the area of a square with sides measuring one yard in length. The exact definition is 0.836127 square meters.

History

The square yard has roots in the yard, which was historically defined based on the length of a king's arm or stride. The yard became standardized in England during the 14th century. The square yard evolved as a practical measure for land area, especially in agriculture and real estate.

Uses

Square yards are commonly used in real estate, landscaping, and flooring measurements, particularly in the United States and the UK. They are also prevalent in sports fields, such as football and cricket, where area measurements are essential.

Conversions

• 1 square yard = 0.836127 square meters
• 1 square yard = 9 square feet
• 1 square yard = 0.0002066116 acres

Fun Facts

• A common misconception is that a square yard is a direct measurement of length; it actually measures area.
• In the UK, the square yard is sometimes used for measuring carpet and turf, though metric units are increasingly preferred.