Marla to Square Feet: Land Measurement Units in Pakistan

Marla, kanal, square feet, square yards and acres are all used to describe property in Pakistan, often in the same conversation. The confusing part is that a marla is not the same size everywhere. A 5 marla plot in one housing scheme can be smaller than a 5 marla plot in the land record. This guide explains the main land measurement units in Pakistan, how to convert them and how to check the real size of a plot before you buy.

Quick answer: In the Punjab land revenue record, 1 marla = 272.25 square feet (30.25 square yards). Most housing societies, including DHA and Bahria Town, use a 225 square feet marla (25 square yards), and some areas use 250 square feet. 1 kanal = 20 marla, which is 5,445 square feet in the revenue record or 4,500 square feet in most societies. 1 acre = 8 kanal = 160 marla. In Karachi and most of Sindh, plots are sold in square yards.

Why Marla Size Is Different in Different Places

The marla is an old unit from the land revenue system. The official revenue record still uses the traditional size of 272.25 square feet. When private and approved housing schemes started selling plots, many of them adopted a rounder figure of 225 square feet, which makes plot dimensions such as 25 x 45 feet easy to plan. Some local markets use 250 square feet.

So when someone says "5 marla", always ask which marla they mean. The difference is large:

• 5 marla at 272.25 sq ft: 1,361.25 square feet
• 5 marla at 250 sq ft: 1,250 square feet
• 5 marla at 225 sq ft: 1,125 square feet

That is a difference of more than 230 square feet between the largest and smallest "5 marla" plot.

Main Land Units Used in Pakistan

Square Feet and Square Yards

One square yard is 9 square feet. Square feet are used for flats, covered area and building plans. Square yards are the main unit in Karachi and Sindh, so a "120 square yard" plot in Karachi is 1,080 square feet.

Sarsai

A sarsai is a small revenue unit of 30.25 square feet. Nine sarsai make one marla in the traditional system. You may see it in the fard or in rural land deals.

Marla

The most common unit for houses and plots in Punjab, Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is 272.25 square feet in the revenue record and usually 225 square feet in housing societies.

Kanal

One kanal is 20 marla. That is 5,445 square feet with the revenue marla, 4,500 square feet with the 225 square feet marla and 5,000 square feet with the 250 square feet marla.

Acre

One acre is 43,560 square feet, which equals 8 kanal or 160 marla using the revenue marla. Acres are used for farmland and large projects.

Murabba (Square)

A murabba is a large agricultural unit, commonly 25 acres in Punjab. It is mostly used for farmland, not residential plots.

Conversion Table

• 1 sarsai = 30.25 sq ft
• 1 marla (revenue) = 272.25 sq ft = 30.25 sq yd
• 1 marla (most societies) = 225 sq ft = 25 sq yd
• 1 kanal = 20 marla = 5,445 sq ft (revenue) or 4,500 sq ft (societies)
• 1 acre = 8 kanal = 160 marla = 43,560 sq ft
• 1 square yard = 9 sq ft
• 1 square metre = about 10.76 sq ft

Common Plot Sizes in Square Feet

Using the 225 square feet marla that most societies use:

• 3 marla: 675 sq ft
• 5 marla: 1,125 sq ft
• 7 marla: 1,575 sq ft
• 10 marla: 2,250 sq ft
• 1 kanal: 4,500 sq ft
• 2 kanal: 9,000 sq ft

Using the 272.25 square feet revenue marla, a 5 marla plot is 1,361.25 square feet and a 10 marla plot is 2,722.5 square feet.

If you are comparing house sizes, our guide to 5 marla vs 10 marla homes explains what each size usually offers.

How to Convert Marla to Square Feet

1. Find out which marla size applies: revenue (272.25), society (225) or local (250).
2. Multiply the number of marla by that size.
3. For kanal, multiply by 20 first to get marla, then convert.

Example: A 1 kanal plot in a society using the 225 square feet marla is 20 x 225 = 4,500 square feet. The same 1 kanal in the revenue record is 20 x 272.25 = 5,445 square feet.

Plot Size vs Covered Area

The plot size is the land area. The covered area is the built-up floor area of the house, which can be more or less than the plot size depending on the number of floors and the building rules. Ads often mix the two, so ask for both figures.

• A 5 marla house on two floors can have a covered area larger than the plot itself.
• Building rules set setbacks and how much of the plot can be built on, so the ground floor is usually smaller than the plot.
• For flats, the size is always given in square feet of covered area, not marla.

How to Check the Real Size Before You Buy

1. Read the documents: the allotment letter, transfer letter or fard should state the size. For land outside a society, read our guide to the fard online check in Punjab.
2. Ask for the dimensions: a plot of 25 x 45 feet is 1,125 square feet whatever it is called.
3. Check the society's standard: ask the society office which marla size it uses.
4. Measure on site: for land outside a society, ask for demarcation by the revenue staff if the boundaries are unclear.
5. Compare price per square foot: this is the fairest way to compare plots that use different marla sizes.

Before you buy in any scheme, also check that it is approved. Our guide to LDA and CDA approved housing societies explains how, and our plot file verification guide covers the checks for files.

Common Mistakes Buyers Make

• Comparing a "5 marla" plot in one society with a "5 marla" plot in another without checking the marla size.
• Comparing prices per marla instead of per square foot.
• Confusing plot size with covered area in house ads.
• Assuming Karachi plot sizes in square yards match marla sizes in Punjab.
• Not checking the dimensions written in the allotment or transfer documents.

When you compare listings, use the size in square feet to judge value. You can browse plots and houses by size on Pakistan Property and shortlist the ones that fit your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Many Square Feet Are in 1 Marla?

In the Punjab revenue record, 1 marla is 272.25 square feet. Most housing societies use 225 square feet, and some areas use 250 square feet.

2. How Many Marla Are in 1 Kanal?

One kanal is 20 marla. That is 4,500 square feet in most societies and 5,445 square feet in the revenue record.

3. How Many Square Feet Is a 5 Marla Plot?

A 5 marla plot is 1,125 square feet in most societies, 1,250 square feet with a 250 square feet marla and 1,361.25 square feet in the revenue record.

4. How Many Kanal Are in 1 Acre?

One acre is 8 kanal, or 160 marla, which equals 43,560 square feet.

5. Why Are Karachi Plots Measured in Square Yards?

Karachi and most of Sindh traditionally sell plots in square yards rather than marla. One square yard is 9 square feet, so a 120 square yard plot is 1,080 square feet.

6. Which Marla Size Does DHA Use?

DHA and Bahria Town generally use a 225 square feet marla. Always confirm the size from the allotment letter or the plot's dimensions.