Do you know the difference between a meter and a yard in measurement (meter vs yard)?
If you are familiar with the seven fundamental units for different physical quantities, you will notice the meter is used as a standard unit of measurement for length. The other fundamental unit for physical quantities includes kilograms (mass), kelvin (temperature), ampere (electric current), mole (amount of substance), second (time), and candela (luminous intensity).
However, some countries around the world use a different metric system. The United States for example use Fahrenheit for temperature, miles for distance, and pounds for mass.
A meter in length is longer than a yard and sometimes yards are used in sports, causing a little confusion for people who are more familiar with meters.
We will be discussing the difference between meter and yard and how to convert meter to yard and vice versa.
What Is a Meter?
The S.I. unit to measure length is in the meter.
The word “meter” has two spellings. The meter is generally used in America (US) English (derived from a Greek word that means ‘to measure’), while the metre is predominately used in British English.
The meter is used across the world and it’s the international standard unit of length.
Generally, the meter in the S.I unit system is denoted with an ‘m’.
Tools that are used for measuring length include a meter rule, tape measure, meter stick, and odometer.
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What Is a Yard?
A yard is an English unit of length denoted as ‘yd’ and equalling 3 feet or 36 inches. The word ‘yard’ is derived from the English word ‘gyrd’ or ‘gerd’. The ‘gerd’ or ‘gyrd’ was initially used for measuring rods and branches.
A yard is equal to 0.9144 meters, which has been so by international agreement standardized since 1959.
For countries like the United States where the distance covered by a vehicle is measured in miles, a mile equals 1,760 yards.
The yard system of measurement is still used to this day in countries like the United States and Canada. Most people in the U.S. still use the version of the old “imperial” system of measurement, which is the U.S. customary unit system.
The U.S. customary unit system calculates a distance in feet, inches, and yards. Today, people around the world use the metric system, a system that uses a base 10 system, which gives us a meter stick instead of a yardstick.
Meter vs Yard
The following are key differences between a meter and a yard.
| Meter | Yard |
| The S.I unit to measure length is in the meter. The meter is denoted as an ‘m’ and it’s the standard unit used to measure all kinds of length. | A yard is an English unit of length denoted as ‘yd’ and equalling 3 feet or 36 inches. It’s obsolete and used to measure the length of grounds like a cricket pitch golf court, etc. |
| One meter equals 1.094 yards | One yard equals 0.9144 meters |
| In terms of the CGS unit; a meter equals 100 cm | A yard equals 91.44 cm |
| A meter rule, tape measure, meter stick or odometer is used for measurement | Originally, a yardstick was used for the measurement of yards |
Meter vs Yard: Which to Use
A meter equals 1.094 yards, which is slightly different in length compared to a yard. A meter equals 39.37 inches, while one yard equals 36 inches.
An inch equals 2.54 centimetres, which most people just round down to 2.5 centimetre.
While most people in the United States still use a version of the old imperial system of measurement which is the U.S. customary unit system, the rest of the world are using the metric system which employs a base 10 system.
Other metric units for measuring length include millimetres (mm), centimetres (cm), and kilometres (km). Tools that are used for measuring length include a meter rule, tape measure, meter stick, and odometer.
When people want to measure the length of tall structures or how far an object is from another, the meter is used to determine the length both in heath and distance.
Now yards can also be used to measure the length, width, and height of tall structures or the distance between two objects. But the result for this measurement may not be accurate, as measured in yards is slightly smaller compared to meters.
The purpose of using measuring tools is to ensure we get accurate measurements for any taken. Using a measuring tool that will give an inaccurate measurement will make measuring difficult.
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Meter vs Yard: How to Use Them
Using the meter as a standard unit for measurement for construction work gives an accurate measurement. It gives an accurate measurement for lengths measured and is quicker compared to using a yard.
The meter is the accurate measurement of length in spaces during construction work.
If you are using a tape measure, the hook or ‘tang of the tape measure is the metallic component at the end of the blade.
If you are measuring an internal object, all you have to do is to take the hook or ‘tang’ and push it against the object and then take it to the end to get an accurate measurement.
If you are using the yard, you will find the metallic component at the end.
How to Convert Meter to Yard and Yard to Meter
Here is how to convert a meter to a yard with a simple formula.
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Meter to Yard
To convert from meter to yard, you need to use division. The formula is yard (yd)= meter (m) divided by 0.9144.
So, to convert 30, 40, 50, and 100 meters to yards, here is what to do.
- 30 divided by 0.9144 = 32.8083.
- 40 divided by 0.9144 = 43.7445.
- 50 divided by 0.9144 = 54.6086.
- 100 divided by 0.9144 = 109.3613.
A yard is an English unit of length denoted as ‘yd’ and equalling 3 feet or 36 inches. It was originally believed to be the average length of a person’s steps.
Yard to Meter
Instead of using division, converting from yard to meter involves multiplication.
The general formula to convert yards to meters is meters (m) = yards (y) X 0.9144.
So, to convert 30, 40, 50, and 100 yards to meters, here is what to do.
- 30 multiple by 0.9144 = 27.432 meters.
- 40 multiple by 0.9144 = 36.576 meters.
- 50 multiple by 0.9144 = 45.72 meters.
- 100 multiple by 0.9144 = 91.44 meters.
Conclusion
While most people in the United States still use a version of the old imperial system of measurement which is the U.S. customary unit system, the rest of the world is using the metric system which employs a base 10 system.
A yard can be used for measurement but the result may not be accurate, as measurement in yards is slightly smaller compared to meters.
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References
- WikiHow: How to Convert Yards to Meters
- Cuemath: What is the difference between a yard and a meter?
- AskanyDifferences: Yard vs Meter: Difference and Comparison
- Thecontentauthority: Meter Vs Yard, When To Use Each One, And How To Use Them?
