Convert yards to millimeters

Use the tool below to easily convert from yards to millimeters (yd to mm).

Yards explained

A yard is a unit of length in the U.K. Imperial and U.S. customary systems of measurement, equal to 3 feet or 36 inches. The yard is primarily used in the United States and the United Kingdom for measuring length or distance in fields such as construction, landscaping, and sports. As a common unit in everyday use, the yard plays an important role in activities requiring precise, non-metric measurements.

Symbol

The standard symbol for yard is yd.

Yard in the Imperial and U.S. Customary Systems

Comparison to Other Measurement Systems

While the yard is primarily used in Imperial and U.S. customary systems, it differs from metric units like the meter. One yard is approximately 0.9144 meters. In most countries worldwide, the metric system has replaced the yard for official measurements, although it remains in common use in the U.S. and U.K. for informal purposes and in specific sectors like sports and real estate.

Applications and Use of the Yard

The yard is widely used in a variety of fields:

• Construction: Builders and contractors use yards for measuring materials and land dimensions.
• Landscaping: Yards are used for calculating garden dimensions or fencing requirements.
• Sports: Football fields and running tracks in the U.S. are measured in yards.
• Fabric and textiles: Yardage refers to the length of fabric sold or used.
• Real estate: Yards are sometimes used to describe the size of plots or house lots in informal discussions.

Tools for Measuring Yards

Common tools used to measure yards include:

• Measuring tapes: Flexible tapes marked in yards, feet, and inches.
• Surveyor's wheels: Rolling tools that calculate distance in yards.
• Laser distance measurers: Modern digital tools often have settings for measuring in yards.

Origin of the Yard

The origin of the yard dates back to medieval England. It was historically defined as the distance from the tip of King Henry I’s nose to the end of his outstretched thumb. Over time, it was standardized to its current length of 36 inches or 0.9144 meters. The yard was officially defined in 1959 through international agreement among English-speaking nations. Learn more about King Henry I, the monarch traditionally associated with the original yard definition.

FAQs

Is a yard longer than a meter?

No, a meter is slightly longer than a yard. One meter equals approximately 1.0936 yards.

Why is a football field measured in yards?

In American football, the field is 100 yards long between goal lines, following U.S. customary units. The use of yards remains due to historical and cultural norms.

What does the word "yard" have to do with gardens?

Surprisingly, the word "yard" in measurement and "yard" as in backyard both trace back to the Old English word "geard," meaning an enclosed space. So, while the modern measurement isn't directly tied to gardening, their roots are related!

Has the length of a yard ever changed?

Yes, before standardization, the yard varied in length depending on the region and ruler. It was finally fixed as exactly 0.9144 meters in 1959 under an agreement between six English-speaking countries.

Learn more about yards.

Yards to millimeters conversion table

The following table provides a straightforward conversion guide for fractions and multiples of yards (yd) to millimeters (mm).

All length conversions in yards

Consult below overview for all available conversions from yards(yd) to other length units.