Do you want to know how many square feet your yard is? Do you need to estimate lawn square footage for a project? Yes, you can easily find this number. Knowing your yard’s square footage is very helpful. You might need it to buy grass seed. You might need it for new plants. You might need it to calculate property area for other uses. Let’s learn how to measure backyard space quickly and correctly.
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Why Find Your Yard Size?
Why is knowing your yard’s size important? It helps with many outdoor jobs.
- Buying Materials: You need the right amount of things. Like mulch. Or fertilizer. Or grass seed. Or sod. Knowing your yard size helps you buy enough. Not too little. Not too much.
- Planning Projects: Are you building a patio? Or a deck? Are you putting up a fence? You need the size for planning.
- Landscaping: Landscaping square footage matters a lot. It helps plan where to put plants. It helps figure out costs.
- Fencing: Fencing calculation yard size is a bit different. You need the distance around the yard (perimeter) for fence length. But the total area is still good to know for the whole space.
- Sod or Seed: You need sod needed for yard area exactly. Too little leaves bare spots. Too much wastes money.
- Property Value: Knowing your calculate property area can be useful info about your home.
Knowing the size helps you save money. It helps you save time. It makes sure your outdoor projects go smoothly.
Ways to Measure Your Yard
There are a few ways to find your yard’s size. Some are simple. Some use tools.
- Use simple tools like a tape measure.
- Use online tools with maps.
- Look at your property papers.
We will look at each way. You can pick the best one for you. Or use more than one way to be sure.
Method 1: Measure by Hand
This way uses basic tools. You need a long tape measure. You might need stakes or flags. You might need some string. You need paper and a pencil.
This method is good for most yards. It works even if you don’t have internet outside. It takes a little time. But you get a good idea of the size.
Tools You Need
- A long tape measure (50 feet or 100 feet is good).
- Stakes or flags. Use these to mark corners.
- String (optional). Use this to make straight lines.
- Paper.
- Pencil or pen.
- A friend to help (makes it easier!).
- A simple calculator.
Measuring Different Yard Shapes
Yards come in many shapes. Some are simple. Some are not.
- Square yards.
- Rectangle yards.
- Circle yards.
- Triangle yards.
- Yards with odd shapes (like an L or T shape).
Let’s talk about how to measure each one.
H5 Measuring a Square or Rectangle Yard
This is the easiest shape. Most yards are close to a square or rectangle.
- Find the corners. Walk the edges of your yard. Find the main corners. Mark them with stakes or flags.
- Measure the length. Pick one long side. Put the end of the tape measure at one corner stake. Walk to the other corner stake. Pull the tape measure straight and tight. Write down the number. Do this for both long sides. They should be close to the same length.
- Measure the width. Pick one short side. Put the end of the tape measure at a corner stake. Walk to the other corner stake. Pull the tape measure straight and tight. Write down the number. Do this for both short sides. They should be close to the same width.
- Check your numbers. Make sure opposite sides are about the same length.
- Draw it. Make a simple drawing of your yard on your paper. Write the lengths and widths on your drawing.
H5 Measuring a Yard with More Sides
Maybe your yard is like an L shape. Or it has extra corners.
- Walk the edges. Go around your whole yard. Find all the corners. Mark each corner with a stake or flag.
- Draw the shape. Look at your stakes. Draw the shape they make on your paper. It will have more than 4 sides.
- Break it into simple shapes. Look at your drawing. Can you break the shape into smaller squares and rectangles? Maybe triangles? Draw lines on your paper to show these smaller shapes.
- Measure each part. Now measure the length and width of each small square or rectangle. Measure the sides of each triangle. Write all these numbers on your drawing. Make sure you measure all the lines you drew to split the yard.
H5 Measuring a Circle or Curved Area
Some yards have round parts. Or curved edges.
- For a circle: Find the center if you can. Measure from the center to the edge. This is the radius. Or measure across the widest part going through the center. This is the diameter. The diameter is twice the radius.
- For curved edges: This is harder to measure by hand exactly. You can try to break the curve into many small straight lines. Measure each small line. Add them up. Or you can measure a rectangle that holds the curved area. Then subtract the parts that are not in the yard. A yard area calculator online often works better for curves.
H5 Tips for Measuring Yard Dimensions
- Keep the tape measure straight. Don’t let it dip.
- Pull the tape tight.
- Measure in feet and inches. You will want feet for the final number. Convert inches to a part of a foot. (Example: 6 inches is 0.5 feet. 3 inches is 0.25 feet).
- Measure twice! Check your numbers. It’s easy to make a mistake.
- Walk the path you will measure first. Clear away anything in the way.
After you measure, you have the lengths of the sides. Now you need to do math to find the area.
Method 2: Use Online Tools
This is often a faster way. You use a website or an app. These tools use maps of your area. They let you draw on the map.
How an Online Yard Size Tool Works
- Go to a website. Search for “online yard size tool” or “yard area calculator”. Many websites offer this for free.
- Find your home. Type in your address. The map will show your house and yard.
- Use the drawing tool. The website will have a tool. You click on the map to mark the corners of your yard. Click on each corner point. Go all the way around your yard.
- Finish the shape. Click the last point back near the first point. The tool will draw lines connecting the points.
- See the size. The tool will show you the square footage inside the lines you drew.
Pros of Using Online Tools
- Fast: You can get the number in minutes.
- Easy: Just click on the map.
- Good for odd shapes: Drawing on a map is easy for any shape yard.
- No walking: You don’t need to walk the yard with a tape measure. Good if your yard is sloped or wet.
Cons of Using Online Tools
- Might not be perfect: The map might be old. Or not perfectly lined up.
- Needs internet: You need a computer or phone with internet.
- Might include things not part of the lawn: You need to draw only the lawn or area you care about. Don’t draw your house or driveway if you only want the lawn size.
An online yard area calculator is a great first step. Or use it to check your hand measurements.
Method 3: Check Property Records
Your home has legal papers. These papers often show the size of your whole property. This can help calculate property area.
Where to Find Records
- Your home closing papers: Look at the documents you got when you bought your house. There might be a survey map. Or a description of the property size.
- Local government office: The town or city hall keeps records of all properties. This office might be called the Assessor’s office. Or the Recorder’s office. You can ask to see the records for your address.
- Online government websites: Some towns put property records online. You can search for your address.
What Records Tell You
Property records usually give you the total size of your land. This is often the yard size in acres converter size. Or it will be in total square feet for the whole property.
Limits of Property Records
- Whole property: The record usually gives the size of your entire lot. This includes your house, driveway, shed, patio, garden beds, etc. It is not just the lawn area.
- Might not be exact for lawn: If you only want the lawn square footage, you need to subtract the parts that are not lawn (house footprint, driveway, etc.). This needs more measuring.
- Might be old: The records might be based on an old survey. Changes might have been made since then.
Checking property records is a good way to find your total land size. But it might not tell you the exact size of just your yard or lawn area.
Calculating the Square Footage
Once you have your measurements, you need to do the math. The math depends on the shape.
H4 Calculating for Simple Shapes
Square or Rectangle
This is easy.
- Area = Length × Width
Example: Your yard is 50 feet long and 30 feet wide.
Area = 50 feet × 30 feet
Area = 1500 square feet.
Triangle
You need the base and the height. The height is a line from the top point straight down to the base. It makes a square corner (90 degrees) with the base line.
- Area = 0.5 × Base × Height
Example: Part of your yard is a triangle. The base is 40 feet. The height is 20 feet.
Area = 0.5 × 40 feet × 20 feet
Area = 0.5 × 800 square feet
Area = 400 square feet.
Circle
You need the radius. The radius is the distance from the center to the edge.
- Area = π × radius × radius (use 3.14 for π)
Example: You have a round flower bed. The radius is 10 feet.
Area = 3.14 × 10 feet × 10 feet
Area = 3.14 × 100 square feet
Area = 314 square feet.
H4 Calculating for Complex Shapes
If you broke your yard into smaller shapes (rectangles, triangles):
- Calculate the area of each small shape. Use the formulas above.
- Add up the areas of all the small shapes.
- The total is the square footage of your yard.
Example: Your L-shaped yard is two rectangles. Rectangle 1 is 40 feet by 20 feet (Area = 800 sq ft). Rectangle 2 is 30 feet by 15 feet (Area = 450 sq ft).
Total Area = Area of Rectangle 1 + Area of Rectangle 2
Total Area = 800 sq ft + 450 sq ft
Total Area = 1250 square feet.
H4 Dealing with Areas NOT Included
Maybe you measured the whole backyard space. But there’s a patio or shed in it. You don’t want to buy grass seed for the patio!
- Measure the size of the area you do not want to include (like the patio). Use the right formula for its shape.
- Subtract this area from the total area you measured.
Example: Your backyard area is 2000 sq ft. You have a patio that is a rectangle 20 feet by 10 feet (Area = 200 sq ft).
Lawn Area = Total Area – Patio Area
Lawn Area = 2000 sq ft – 200 sq ft
Lawn Area = 1800 square feet.
This gives you the area you need for things like sod needed for yard area.
Using Your Square Footage Number
Now you have the number! What can you do with it?
H4 Landscaping Projects
Landscaping square footage helps you plan.
- How much mulch? Mulch is sold by the bag or by the cubic yard. You need the area you want to cover. You also need the depth of the mulch. A common depth is 2-3 inches.
- Example: Need mulch for a 500 sq ft flower bed. Want it 3 inches deep.
- Convert inches to feet: 3 inches / 12 inches/foot = 0.25 feet.
- Volume in cubic feet = Area × Depth = 500 sq ft × 0.25 ft = 125 cubic feet.
- To get cubic yards: Cubic feet / 27 (since 1 cubic yard = 27 cubic feet) = 125 / 27 = about 4.6 cubic yards. You would buy 5 cubic yards.
- How many plants? Plant tags tell you how far apart to plant. Use your area to figure out how many plants will fit.
Knowing the landscaping square footage is key for buying the right amount of stuff.
H4 Sod Needed for Yard Area
Buying sod is a big use for square footage. Sod is grass sold in rolls or squares. You lay it down like carpet.
Sod is sold by the square foot. Or by the square yard.
If you have the area in square feet, this is easy. If you need 1500 square feet of sod, you buy 1500 square feet of sod. Simple!
If sod is sold by the square yard, you need to convert.
1 square yard = 9 square feet.
So, divide your square footage by 9 to get square yards.
Example: Need 1500 sq ft of sod. Sod is sold by the square yard.
Sod needed in sq yards = 1500 sq ft / 9 sq ft/sq yard = about 167 square yards.
Buy a little extra sod. Maybe 5-10%. This helps with cutting pieces. It helps with oddly shaped areas.
H4 Fencing Calculation Yard Size
Fencing is different. You don’t need the area inside the yard. You need the distance around the yard. This is called the perimeter.
- For a rectangle or square: Perimeter = 2 × (Length + Width)
- For other shapes: Add up the length of each side.
Example: Your rectangle yard is 50 feet long and 30 feet wide.
Perimeter = 2 × (50 feet + 30 feet)
Perimeter = 2 × 80 feet
Perimeter = 160 feet.
You need 160 feet of fencing materials.
Don’t use square footage for fencing length! But knowing the square footage is still good info about the total yard space you are enclosing.
H4 Other Uses
- Fertilizer and Seed: Bags of fertilizer or seed tell you how many square feet they cover. Match your yard size to the bag.
- Pest Control: Products like weed killer cover a certain square footage.
- Sprinklers: Planning a sprinkler system uses the area to make sure water covers everything.
Comparing Measurement Methods
Let’s look at the pros and cons again.
| Method | How it Works | Good Points | Not-So-Good Points | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measure by Hand | Tape measure, paper, walk yard. | Accurate if done right. No internet needed. | Takes time. Harder for odd shapes. Easy to make small errors. | Simple shapes. Checking other methods. |
| Online Yard Size Tool | Website/app, map, drawing tool. | Fast. Easy for any shape. No walking. | Map might be old. Needs internet. Might include house/driveway if not careful. | Quick estimate. Odd shapes. Getting total area. |
| Property Records | Check house papers or government. | Gives total property size. Simple step. | Usually total lot, not just lawn. Might be old. | Finding total property area (calculate property area). |
Using an online yard size tool first can give you a fast estimate. Then you can measure by hand for more detail on specific areas, like just the lawn or a garden bed. A yard area calculator on a website makes the math simple after you measure.
Converting Yard Size to Other Units
Square feet is the most common unit for yards in the US. But sometimes you hear about acres. Or square yards.
- Square Feet (sq ft): This is the most common number you’ll get from measuring.
- Square Yards (sq yd): Used for sod or fabric. 1 sq yd = 9 sq ft.
- Acres: Used for very large properties or farms. 1 acre = 43,560 square feet.
Yard Size in Acres Converter
If you have your yard size in square feet, you can convert it to acres. This is useful for large yards.
- Acres = Square Feet / 43,560
Example: Your total property area from records is 87,120 sq ft.
Acres = 87,120 sq ft / 43,560 sq ft/acre
Acres = 2 acres.
Most city lots are less than an acre. A quarter-acre lot is 43,560 / 4 = 10,890 square feet. This gives you an idea of scale.
Many online tools include a yard size in acres converter. Or you can use a simple calculator.
Tips for Best Accuracy
You want your number to be as close to right as possible.
- Be careful measuring. Pull the tape straight and tight.
- Measure twice. Check your numbers.
- Break down complex shapes. It’s easier to measure and add small parts than measure one big, odd shape.
- Use flags or stakes. This helps you see the lines you are measuring.
- Walk in a straight line. When measuring distance without a tape, walk heel-to-toe in a straight line. Count your steps. Measure how long one of your steps is. Multiply steps by step length. (Tape measure is much better though!)
- Use an online tool AND measure by hand. Compare the numbers. If they are close, you are probably right. If they are very different, measure again.
- Think about what area you need. Do you need the lawn only? Or the whole yard including beds and paths? Be clear before you start.
Measuring yard dimensions carefully gives you the best numbers for your projects.
What About Slopes or Hills?
Measuring a sloped yard with a tape measure on the ground will give you a length. But the true area on a slope is slightly larger than the flat-ground measurement.
For most home yard projects (like buying sod or fertilizer), measuring along the ground is close enough. These products spread over the surface area.
For very steep slopes or very high accuracy needed (like building), professional surveyors measure horizontal distance, which is more complex. But for typical lawn care or landscaping square footage, measuring on the ground is fine.
Online tools using maps usually give the flat, top-down view area. This might be a little less than the actual surface area if your yard is very hilly. Again, for most home uses, this small difference is not a problem.
Using a Yard Area Calculator Online
Let’s look closer at using an online yard area calculator. This tool is really helpful for complex shapes or quick checks.
- Search for one: Type “yard area calculator” or “online property measurement tool” into a search engine. Pick one from a known mapping service or a trusted landscaping supply company.
- Enter address: Put in your street address. The map will move to your location.
- Find your property: Zoom in on your house and yard.
- Look for tools: Find the tools to measure area or draw a shape.
- Start drawing: Click carefully on the map at the edge of your yard or the area you want to measure.
- Go point by point: Click at each corner or bend in the shape of your yard.
- Follow the edge: Keep clicking along the boundary of the area.
- Close the shape: Click the last point near the first point you clicked. Some tools close the shape for you.
- See the result: The tool will instantly show you the area inside the shape you drew. It usually gives it in square feet. It might also offer to convert to acres or square yards (like a built-in yard size in acres converter).
Be careful to click exactly on the edge of the area you want. Don’t include your house or driveway if you only want the lawn.
An online yard size tool is very fast. It’s great for getting a quick estimate or for measuring odd shapes without walking every edge.
Planning with Your Yard Size
Knowing your yard size in square feet helps with planning and budget.
- Budgeting: How much will new sod cost? Look up the price per square foot. Multiply by your yard size. How much fertilizer do you need? Check the bag coverage. See how many bags you need.
- Time: How long will it take to mow? To fertilize? Knowing the size gives you an idea of the work needed.
- Choosing Equipment: Do you need a big mower for a big yard? Or is a smaller one fine?
Whether you use an online yard size tool or measure by hand, getting that square footage number is step one for many yard projects. It lets you move from guessing to knowing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
H4 What is the average yard size?
Yard sizes vary a lot. It depends on where you live. City yards are often smaller. Yards in the country are often bigger. A typical city lot might be around 5,000 to 10,000 square feet. This is less than a quarter of an acre. Yards in newer neighborhoods might be different from older ones.
H4 How do I find the area of an odd-shaped yard?
Break the yard into smaller, simple shapes. Make them rectangles, squares, and triangles. Measure each small shape. Calculate the area of each small shape. Add the areas together to get the total yard area. Or use an online yard area calculator. Just draw the outline on the map.
H4 Is square feet or square yards better for sod?
Sod is sold using both units. Just make sure you know which unit the seller uses. If they sell by the square yard, and you measured in square feet, divide your square feet number by 9 to get square yards. If they sell by the square foot, use your number directly.
H4 Can property records tell me my lawn size?
Usually, property records give the size of your entire piece of land (the lot). This includes the house, driveway, and all other parts. It does not usually tell you the size of just the lawn area. You will need to measure the lawn part yourself or use an online tool focused on drawing just the lawn area.
H4 How accurate are online yard size tools?
Online tools are usually quite accurate for an estimate. They use satellite maps. The accuracy depends on how clear the map is and how carefully you click the points. They are great for getting a fast number or measuring hard shapes. For very important projects like building, you might want a professional survey. But for lawn care or landscaping square footage, they are usually accurate enough.
H4 Do I measure the area or the perimeter for fencing?
For fencing, you need the perimeter. This is the distance around the outside edge of the yard where the fence will go. It is a length measure (like feet), not an area measure (like square feet). Calculate the perimeter by adding up the lengths of all the sides where the fence will be.
H4 How do I convert square feet to acres?
There are 43,560 square feet in 1 acre. To convert square feet to acres, divide the number of square feet by 43,560. Many online yard area calculators or conversion tools can do this for you. Just search for a yard size in acres converter.
Summing Up
Knowing the square footage of your yard is super helpful. It makes planning projects easy. It helps you buy the right amount of materials. This saves you money.
You can measure your yard by hand with a tape measure. This works well for simple shapes. Break down complex shapes.
You can use an online yard size tool. This is fast and easy. It works well for any shape. It uses maps to help you draw the area.
You can check your property records. This gives you the total land area. But often not just the lawn area.
Once you have the measurements, do the math to find the square footage. Use formulas for squares, rectangles, or triangles. Add areas for complex shapes. Subtract areas you don’t need (like patios).
Use your square footage number for landscaping square footage needs. Use it to figure out sod needed for yard area. Remember fencing calculation yard size needs the perimeter, not the area.
Take your time measuring. Check your work. Use an online yard area calculator as a check. Getting this number right is the first step to a great-looking yard. You can calculate how many square feet is my yard fast using these methods.