A yard is exactly 0.9144 meters.
Yards to Picas Converter — yd to pc
Convert Yard (yd) to Pica (pc) using the exact conversion factor (1 yard = 216 pica). See the formula, worked examples, conversion table, history, and common uses.
Yards to Picas converter
Converter
Length Converter
Convert SI, imperial, US customary, astronomical, scientific, and historical length units.
Context values
Some unit families need one extra value for a physically accurate result.
A pica is 12 points.
Result = input x 0.9144 / 0.004233333333.
Length uses the meter as the base unit.
Reserved above the conversion cards and below the converter.
About Converting Yards to Picas
Yard and Pica both measure length. Yard is most often used for american football field measurement.
Formula
picas = yards × 216.000000017
This factor comes from each unit's defined relationship to the category's base unit: 1 yard equals 0.9144 base units, and 1 pica equals 0.004233333333 base units, so dividing one by the other gives the direct yard-to-pica factor of 216.000000017.
Simple example
1 yd × 216 = 216 pc
1 yard = 216 picas.
Real-world example
10 yd × 216 = 2,160 pc
10 yards = 2,160 picas.
Conversion table
| Yard (yd) | Pica (pc) |
|---|---|
| 1 yd | 216 pc |
| 5 yd | 1,080 pc |
| 10 yd | 2,160 pc |
| 21.0975 yd | 4,557.06 pc |
| 42.195 yd | 9,114.120001 pc |
| 100 yd | 21,600 pc |
Reverse conversion: Pica to Yard
216 pc × 0.004629629629 = 0.9999999999 yd
216 picas = 0.9999999999 yards.
yards = picas × 0.00462962962927
For a page dedicated to this direction, see Pica to Yard.
Understanding the Yard
Yard (yd) measures distance. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
Where it's used: United States and United Kingdom (sports fields, fabric, some construction)
Uses of the Yard today
- American football field measurement
- Fabric and textile measurement
- Golf and other sports distances in the US/UK
History of the Yard
The yard has English origins possibly tied to a standard 'gird' or arm's-length measure; it was fixed at exactly 0.9144 meters by the 1959 International Yard and Pound Agreement, the same treaty that standardized the foot, inch, mile, and pound.
Historical origin. Yard was not the invention of a single named person; it developed through the process described above.
Understanding the Pica (pc)
A pica is 12 points.
Yard — sources
- NIST — International yard and pound (1959) — Fixes the modern yard at exactly 0.9144 meters.
Reserved between the cards and the FAQ so the page stays balanced.
Frequently asked questions
How many picas are in 1 yard?
1 yard equals 216 picas, using the exact defined conversion factor rather than an estimate.
How do I convert yard to pica?
Multiply the yard value by 216. The converter above does this instantly to whatever precision you set.
How do I convert pica back to yard?
Use the reverse factor: 1 pica equals 0.0046296296 yards. You can also use the swap control in the converter above to flip the direction instantly.
What is a yard?
Yard (yd) measures distance. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. It is classified as a US/imperial customary unit.
What is a pica?
Pica (pc) is a unit of length.
Is the yard to pica conversion exact?
Yes. The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 meters. That fixed definition is what the converter above uses, so any rounding you see is a display choice, not a limitation of the math.
Where is the yard still used today?
United States and United Kingdom (sports fields, fabric, some construction)