Feet To Yards Conversion

1 ft = 0.333333333333333333333333333333 yd

Want to convert from yards to feet instead?

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The Ratio Between Feet and Yards

Visualising the relationship between feet and yards makes it easier to convert between the two. Feet are used to establish the baseline ruler and the yards ruler is sized in relation to that baseline.

conversion scale showing the ratio between feet and the equivalent number of yards

How to convert feet to yards (ft to yd)

The formula for converting feet to yards is: yd = ft ÷ 3. To calculate the foot value in yards first substitute the foot value into the preceding formula, and then perform the calculation. If we wanted to calculate 1 foot in yards we follow these steps:

yd = ft ÷ 3

yd = 1 ÷ 3

yd = 0.333333333333333333333333333333

In other words, 1 foot is equal to 0.333333333333333333333333333333 yards.

Example Conversion

Let's take a look at an example. The step-by-step process to convert 9 feet to yards is:

Understand the conversion formula: yd = ft ÷ 3
Substitute the required value. In this case we substitute 9 for ft so the formula becomes: yd = 9 ÷ 3
Calculate the result using the provided values. In our example the result is: 9 ÷ 3 = 3 yd

In summary, 9 feet is equal to 3 yards.

Converting yards to feet

In order to convert the other way around i.e. yards to feet, you would use the following formula: ft = yd × 3. To convert yards to feet first substitute the yard value into the above formula, and then execute the calculation. If we wanted to calculate 1 yard in feet we follow these steps:

ft = yd × 3

ft = 1 × 3

ft = 3

Or in other words, 1 yard is equal to 3 feet.

Conversion Unit Definitions

What is a Foot?

The foot (pl. feet), standard symbol: ft, is a unit of length in the British imperial and United States customary systems of measurement. The prime symbol, ′, is a customarily used alternative symbol. Since the International Yard and Pound Agreement of 1959, one foot is defined as 0.3048 meters exactly. In both customary and imperial units, one foot comprises 12 inches and one yard comprises three feet.

Historically the "foot" was a part of many local systems of units, including the Greek, Roman, Chinese, French, and English systems. It varied in length from country to country, from city to city, and sometimes from trade to trade. Its length was usually between 250 mm and 335 mm and was generally, but not always, subdivided into 12 inches or 16 digits.

The United States is the only industrialized nation that uses the international foot in preference to the meter in its commercial, engineering, and standards activities. The foot is legally recognized in the United Kingdom; road signs must use imperial units (however, distances on road signs are always marked in miles or yards, not feet), while its usage is widespread among the British public as a measurement of height.

Here are some more details about the foot:

Historical Context: The foot has been used as a unit of measurement for thousands of years and has roots in various ancient civilizations. It was originally based on the length of a human foot, but over time, standardized units were developed to ensure consistency.
Imperial and US Customary Systems: The foot is a fundamental unit in both the Imperial system and the United States Customary system. These systems of measurement are closely related and share many common units. The foot is divided into 12 inches and is further subdivided into smaller units such as the inch, half-inch, quarter-inch, etc.
Length Conversion: As mentioned earlier, one foot is equal to 12 inches or approximately 30.48 centimeters. Conversely, one inch is equal to 1/12th of a foot.
Symbol: The symbol for foot is a single prime ('). For example, a measurement of 5 feet would be written as 5'.
Usage: The foot is commonly used in various applications, including construction, architecture, interior design, surveying, and sports. It is often used to measure heights, distances, room dimensions, and other similar quantities.
Subdivisions: The foot can be divided into smaller units to measure finer lengths. Apart from the inch, mentioned earlier, there are also other subdivisions used in specific contexts. For example, in surveying, a foot can be divided into tenths or hundredths for precise measurements.
International Usage: While the metric system (based on the meter) is the predominant system of measurement used worldwide, the foot is still used in certain countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, especially in everyday contexts. However, it's worth noting that in scientific, technical, and international contexts, the meter is typically used for consistency and compatibility.

What is a Yard?

The yard is a unit of length primarily used in the United States and a few other countries, particularly those with historical ties to the British Empire. It is defined as 3 feet or 36 inches. The yard is commonly used to measure longer distances or dimensions, especially in everyday contexts like construction, landscaping, and sports.

Here are some more details about the yard:

Historical Context: The yard has a long history and is derived from the ancient English measurement system. It originated from the distance between the tip of King Henry I's nose to the end of his outstretched arm. Over time, it was standardized and defined in terms of feet and inches.
Imperial and US Customary Systems: The yard is a fundamental unit of length in both the Imperial system and the United States Customary system. These systems are closely related and share many common units. The yard is divided into 3 feet, and each foot is further divided into inches.
Length Conversion: As mentioned earlier, one yard is equal to 3 feet or 36 inches. Conversely, one foot is equal to 1/3 of a yard, and one inch is equal to 1/36 of a yard.
Common Uses: The yard is often used to measure longer distances, areas, or dimensions. It is commonly employed in various fields such as construction, landscaping, architecture, and sports. For instance, yards are used to measure the length of a football field, the size of residential lots, or the width of fabric.
Symbol: The symbol for yard is "yd". For example, a measurement of 5 yards would be written as 5 yd.
Subdivisions: The yard can be divided into smaller units to measure finer lengths. As mentioned earlier, it is divided into 3 feet or 36 inches. Each inch can also be further divided into smaller fractions, such as halves, quarters, eighths, and so on.
International Usage: While the metric system (based on the meter) is the predominant system of measurement used worldwide, the yard is still used in certain countries, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, especially in everyday contexts. However, it's worth noting that in scientific, technical, and international contexts, the meter is typically used for consistency and compatibility.