Yard (yd)

Definition

Exactly 0.9144 meters — the base of the 1959 international agreement.

History

The yard has English roots going back to a royal standard, and long served as the base of the imperial system. The 1959 agreement redefined it as exactly 0.9144 meters, making it the reference from which the foot and inch derive.

Where it is used

The yard is used for fabric and landscaping and, famously, American football, where the field is measured in yards.

Typical uses include fabric, American football, landscaping.

Conversion pages

These pages convert yard to or from another unit in length.

• Meter to yard
• Yard to foot

Other Length units

• Meter (m)
• Centimeter (cm)
• Millimeter (mm)
• Kilometer (km)
• Foot (ft)
• Inch (in)
• Mile (mi)

Sources

• NIST HB 44 International Yard and Pound Agreement (1959); NIST Handbook 44, App. C · Dataset reviewed Nov 11, 2026