One yard equals exactly 3 feet (36 inches) or 0.9144 meters. It is slightly shorter than a meter.

Where did the yard come from?

Legend says King Henry I of England defined the yard as the distance from his nose to the tip of his outstretched thumb. More likely, it evolved from various body-based measurements and was standardized over centuries.

Is a yard the same as a meter?

No, but they are close. A yard (0.9144 m) is about 8.6% shorter than a meter. For rough estimates, a yard and a meter are similar enough to be interchangeable, but not for precise work.

What Is a Yard? Definition, History & Modern Use

Definition

1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches = 0.9144 meters (exactly, by international agreement since 1959).

Yard Conversions

Yards	Feet	Inches	Meters	Centimeters
1	3	36	0.914	91.44
5	15	180	4.572	457.2
10	30	360	9.144	914.4
100	300	3,600	91.44	9,144

History

The yard has been an English unit of measurement since at least the 10th century. The word comes from Old English "gerd" or "gyrd," meaning a rod or stick. King Henry I reportedly defined it as the distance from his nose to his thumb. The international yard was standardized in 1959 as exactly 0.9144 meters.

Where Yards Are Used Today

American football: The field is 100 yards (300 feet) long
Fabric and textiles: Sold by the yard worldwide
Golf: Hole distances measured in yards
Landscaping: Mulch and gravel sold by cubic yards
Cricket: Pitch length is 22 yards (1 chain)

Convert yards with our length converter.