This calculator converts Marla to square feet using the standard 272.25 sqft per Marla (the dominant Pakistani standard) plus optional variants for areas using different conventions. Use it for understanding plot sizes when listings quote in Marla, for construction planning when you know plot dimensions, and for any cross-conversion between Pakistani land measurement and international units.
Convert Marla to Square Feet
Typical Pakistani plot sizes and their square footage equivalents
Pakistani residential developments use a standard set of Marla sizes that map to specific square footage. These size standards underlie urban planning across DHA, Bahria, LDA, government-developed sectors, and most private housing schemes. Knowing the typical sizes helps with both buying and selling decisions because the size carries pricing and lifestyle implications that buyers and sellers all understand.
The conversions for typical residential plots: 3 Marla = 816.75 sqft (small affordable plot, single-floor construction); 5 Marla = 1,361.25 sqft (entry-level family plot, accommodates three-bedroom house); 7 Marla = 1,905.75 sqft (mid-range family plot, four-bedroom comfortable); 10 Marla = 2,722.5 sqft (popular upper-middle-class size, family home with yard); 14 Marla = 3,811.5 sqft (larger family home with substantial outdoor area); 20 Marla = 5,445 sqft (1 Kanal, upper-class single-family plot). Above 1 Kanal, sizes typically jump to 2 Kanal (10,890 sqft) and 4 Kanal (21,780 sqft) for premium estate properties.
How plot size relates to typical Pakistani housing configurations
Each typical plot size accommodates different housing configurations. 3 Marla plots typically support single-storey houses with 2-3 bedrooms, or compact two-storey designs. The narrow frontage (often 25 feet) limits the front-facing room arrangement. 5 Marla plots support comfortable three-bedroom houses on a single floor, or four-bedroom designs over two storeys. 7 Marla plots accommodate larger three or four-bedroom houses with a small lawn. 10 Marla plots — the popular family standard — typically support five-bedroom houses with substantial lawn space, often with two storeys plus a basement. 14 Marla plots accommodate larger family homes with extensive lawn, driveway space, and sometimes pool installations. 20 Marla (1 Kanal) plots support five or six-bedroom homes with substantial outdoor recreational space, common in upper-class developments.
These configurations are typical but not universal — building regulations in each housing scheme set maximum covered area as a percentage of plot area (typically 60–75% in residential schemes), maximum height (typically two or three storeys for residential), and setback requirements. The same 10 Marla plot in DHA Lahore versus DHA Karachi may have slightly different buildable configurations because of local development authority rules.
Where the conversion is most practically useful
Three specific Pakistani contexts make Marla-to-sqft conversion routinely useful. Construction planning — when the contractor needs to calculate buildable area in sqft for material estimation and cost projections, knowing the plot's sqft equivalent is essential. Architectural design — most architectural drawings and plans work in sqft for floor areas, room dimensions, and structural components. International real estate comparison — friends and family overseas typically don't know what 10 Marla means, but 2,722 sqft or 253 m² communicates clearly. Commercial property mixing — when comparing residential Marla-based listings against commercial sqft-based listings (e.g., apartment vs office space) the conversion enables direct comparison.
Beyond standard conversions — covered area and built-up area
Marla measures plot area (the total land). Square feet may measure plot area OR built-up area, depending on context. Built-up area is the covered structure across all floors — a 10 Marla plot with a two-storey house may have 4,000–4,500 sqft of built-up area despite having only 2,722 sqft of plot area. When evaluating Pakistani real estate, always clarify whether stated sqft refers to plot, covered area, or total built-up across all floors. Listings that quote large sqft numbers (e.g., 5,000 sqft for a 10 Marla plot) almost certainly mean total built-up across multiple floors, not plot area. This distinction matters enormously for accurate property comparison and pricing analysis.
Marla to Square Feet — common Pakistani property questions
What are the typical Pakistani residential plot sizes in Marla, and what do they look like physically?
Pakistani residential plots standardise around specific Marla sizes that correspond to typical housing development layouts. A 3 Marla plot (about 25 feet × 33 feet, or 816.75 sqft total) accommodates a compact single-storey or two-storey house, common in affordable housing schemes. A 5 Marla plot (about 30 feet × 45 feet, 1,361.25 sqft) is the entry-level standard in most Pakistani housing schemes — suitable for a comfortable three-bedroom house. A 7 Marla plot (about 35 feet × 54 feet, 1,905.75 sqft) accommodates a four-bedroom house with some yard. A 10 Marla plot (about 50 feet × 54 feet, 2,722.5 sqft) is the popular family-home plot size in upper-middle-class developments. A 14 Marla plot (about 60 feet × 64 feet, 3,811.5 sqft) supports larger family homes. A 20 Marla (1 Kanal) plot (about 75 feet × 72 feet, 5,445 sqft) is the typical upper-class plot size. Exact dimensions vary by development; what matters is the total area.
How do I read Marla-based real estate listings — what's important to verify?
Pakistani real estate listings typically state plot size in Marla as the headline measurement, followed by location, price, and sometimes plot dimensions. Key things to verify: confirm which Marla standard applies to that area (272.25 vs 225 vs 250 sqft, varies by district and development); check whether the stated Marla is plot area or built-up area (an 8 Marla plot with 6 Marla covered area gives quite a different sense of space); verify plot dimensions match the stated Marla (a 10 Marla plot that's 30×90 feet has very different usability from one that's 50×54 feet despite the same total area); check for any encumbrances or restrictions registered against the plot; confirm the seller has clear ownership documentation. Listings that don't specify dimensions sometimes hide unusually-shaped or partially-utilised plots — always request dimensions before any serious property consideration.
Why do builders quote covered area in sqft while plot sizes are in Marla?
The dual-unit convention exists because Marla measures land and sqft measures built structure naturally. Marla is the historical unit for plots, registered in revenue records since British era, embedded in development authority planning, and used by everyone in Pakistani real estate when discussing land. Square feet for buildings comes from construction industry conventions — bricks, beams, tiles, and finished surfaces are all measured and priced per square foot, so quoting buildup in sqft aligns with how construction costs are calculated. The two measurements describe different things: Marla is total plot area; sqft (in built-up context) is the floor area of covered structure across all floors. For a 10 Marla plot (2,722.5 sqft of plot area) with a two-storey house, the build-up might be 2,500 sqft (ground floor) plus 2,000 sqft (first floor) = 4,500 sqft of built area — more than the plot area when measured across multiple floors. Distinguishing land and structure measurements is essential for accurate property evaluation.
What's the rough conversion to remember for common Pakistani plot sizes?
For quick mental conversion: 1 Marla ≈ 272 sqft (round up from 272.25 for ease). So 3 Marla ≈ 816 sqft; 5 Marla ≈ 1,361 sqft; 7 Marla ≈ 1,906 sqft; 10 Marla ≈ 2,722 sqft; 14 Marla ≈ 3,811 sqft; 20 Marla (1 Kanal) ≈ 5,445 sqft. For larger plots: 2 Kanal ≈ 10,890 sqft; 4 Kanal ≈ 21,780 sqft (this is 1 acre minus a small fraction); 1 acre ≈ 8 Kanal = 160 Marla ≈ 43,560 sqft. These are the conversions worth memorising if you frequently navigate Pakistani real estate. For international comparison: 1 Marla ≈ 25 m²; 10 Marla ≈ 253 m²; 1 Kanal ≈ 506 m²; 1 acre ≈ 4,047 m². The Marla-to-m² conversion is sometimes useful for international real estate discussions where Pakistani measurements need translation.
What's the difference between Marla measurements in different parts of Pakistan?
The 272.25 sqft per Marla standard applies to most modern Pakistani developments — DHA, Bahria, LDA sectors, Defence schemes, most new housing developments in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and other major cities. The 225 sqft variant appears in some older Punjab areas and certain Sindh localities — particularly properties with surveys dating from earlier eras when this measurement was standard. The 250 sqft variant appears in specific KPK and Sindh areas. The variations reflect different historical surveying conventions adopted in different regions. For modern transactions in major Pakistani cities, 272.25 sqft Marla is the working assumption; verify the specific standard in writing through property documents for any high-value transaction. Property dealers and registrars in each area know which standard applies locally — when buying property, the registrar's official documents are the definitive source for which Marla standard governs that specific piece of land.