How many square feet are in one marla?
There is no single answer, and that is the most common source of confusion in Pakistani property deals. A marla is a traditional unit, and different systems use different sizes:
| Marla size | Where you will see it | 1 kanal (20 marla) |
|---|---|---|
| 272.25 sq ft | The traditional revenue (land record) marla, based on 1 marla = 9 sarsai of 30.25 sq ft. Used for agricultural and older land records. | 5,445 sq ft |
| 225 sq ft | Widely used by private housing societies, where plots are measured in round numbers such as 25 × 45 ft. | 4,500 sq ft |
| 250 sq ft | Used in some schemes and by some buyers and agents as a working figure. | 5,000 sq ft |
The difference adds up quickly. A 10 marla plot is 2,250 sq ft at 225 sq ft per marla, but 2,722.5 sq ft on the revenue scale, a gap of more than 470 sq ft. That is why this calculator lets you choose the size first.
Pakistani land units explained
- Sarsai: the smallest traditional unit. On the revenue scale, 9 sarsai make 1 marla.
- Marla: the everyday unit for house plots, from 3 marla to 20 marla.
- Kanal: 20 marla. Larger houses and commercial plots are often sold in kanals.
- Acre: 43,560 sq ft, a fixed international unit. On the revenue marla, 1 acre is exactly 8 kanal (160 marla).
- Murabba (square): a farmland unit of 25 acres, common in Punjab land records.
- Square yard (gaz): 9 sq ft. Plots in Karachi and much of Sindh are usually measured in square yards rather than marla.
Common plot sizes at a glance
These figures come from simple multiplication, so you can check any plot quickly. Dimensions like 25 × 45 ft are commonly used for 5 marla plots in societies that use the 225 sq ft marla, but individual plots vary, so go by the measurements on your file.
| Plot | At 225 sq ft | At 250 sq ft | At 272.25 sq ft |
|---|
How to work out marla from plot length and width
- Measure the plot's length and width in feet. For an irregular plot, ask a surveyor for the total area instead.
- Multiply length by width to get the area in square feet. For example, 30 × 60 = 1,800 sq ft.
- Divide by the marla size used in your scheme. 1,800 ÷ 225 = 8 marla, while 1,800 ÷ 272.25 ≈ 6.61 marla.
The Plot size from dimensions tab in the tool does all three steps for you and shows every unit at once.
Tips before you buy or sell a plot
- Ask which marla size the price is based on, especially when comparing plots in different societies.
- Compare price per square foot, not just price per marla, when the marla sizes differ.
- Match the area on the allotment letter or registry with the measured dimensions on site.
- For agricultural land, use the revenue marla (272.25 sq ft) unless the documents say otherwise.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in 1 marla?
It depends on the system. The traditional revenue marla is 272.25 sq ft, many housing societies use 225 sq ft, and some schemes use 250 sq ft. Check your property documents to confirm.
How many marla are in 1 kanal?
One kanal is always 20 marla. In square feet it is 4,500 at 225 sq ft per marla, 5,000 at 250, and 5,445 at 272.25.
How many kanal are in 1 acre?
On the revenue scale (272.25 sq ft marla), 1 acre equals exactly 8 kanal or 160 marla. With a 225 sq ft marla, an acre works out to about 9.68 kanal.
How big is a 5 marla plot in square feet?
1,125 sq ft at 225 sq ft per marla, 1,250 sq ft at 250, and 1,361.25 sq ft at 272.25.
How many square yards are in a marla?
Divide the square feet by 9. That gives 25 sq yards for a 225 sq ft marla and 30.25 sq yards for a 272.25 sq ft marla.