[ Buyer Education ]
Carpet area vs built-up area vs super built-up area: what you actually get
One of the most confusing aspects of buying property in India is the different area measurements used by developers. Understanding these terms is essential because the difference between them can be 25-35%, which directly affects what you are actually paying per usable square foot.
Carpet area
Carpet area is the net usable area inside your apartment, measured from the inner surfaces of the walls. This is the space where you can actually lay a carpet, hence the name. It excludes the thickness of inner walls, balconies, and common areas. Under RERA, carpet area is the standard measurement that developers must use when quoting prices.
Built-up area
Built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of inner and outer walls, and usually the balcony area. It is typically 10-15% more than the carpet area. Some developers use this measurement in their marketing, so always ask which area definition is being used.
Super built-up area
Super built-up area (SBA) adds the proportionate share of common areas such as lobbies, staircases, lift shafts, clubhouse, and sometimes even amenity spaces. SBA can be 25-35% more than the carpet area. Many developers quote prices on SBA, which makes the per-square-foot rate look lower but the total cost is based on a larger number.
How to protect yourself
- Always ask for the carpet area as defined under RERA, and calculate the price per square foot on carpet area for a fair comparison.
- Check the loading factor (the difference between carpet and super built-up). A loading factor above 30% should be questioned.
- Compare projects on carpet area, not SBA, to get an accurate sense of what you are paying for usable space.
- Your sale agreement should clearly state the carpet area as per RERA definition.
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