When buying or renting a home, understanding terms like carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area is crucial. These three measurements directly affect property price, legal clarity, and usable space. Yet, many homebuyers misunderstand them, which leads to confusion and, sometimes, regret after purchase. This guide explains the difference between carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area with examples, calculations, and tips to help you make informed decisions in real estate.
What Is Carpet Area?
Carpet area is the actual usable area inside your home where you can lay a carpet. It includes only the space inside the internal walls—like bedrooms, hall, kitchen, bathrooms, and even internal partition walls. It does not include the thickness of outer walls, balconies, service shafts, or common areas.
According to RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority), the carpet area is defined as:
“The net usable floor area of an apartment, excluding the area covered by external walls, areas under services shafts, exclusive balcony or verandah area, and exclusive open terrace area, but includes the area covered by the internal partition walls of the apartment.”
Key Points about Carpet Area
- Usable for living, sleeping, cooking, bathing
- Includes internal walls
- Excludes external walls, balconies, lifts, and staircases
- Used to calculate room sizes
- Most relevant for the homeowner
You can learn more about room sizing in our guide on Standard Bedroom Size
Carpet Area Example
Suppose your flat includes:
- Bedroom: 150 sq ft
- Living Room: 180 sq ft
- Kitchen: 70 sq ft
- Bathroom + Toilet: 60 sq ft
- Internal walls: 40 sq ft
Then, the total carpet area = 150 + 180 + 70 + 60 + 40 = 500 sq ft
What Is Built-up Area?
Built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of external walls and areas like balconies or terraces which are exclusively used by the owner. This is also known as the plinth area. Built-up area is always larger than the carpet area and is used by developers to show more space in advertisements.
Key Points about Built-up Area
- Carpet area + outer wall thickness + balcony
- Typically 10% to 20% more than carpet area
- Includes exclusive terrace area (if applicable)
- Used by builders to estimate space coverage
- May include ducts and columns inside the flat
Built-up Area Example
From the earlier example:
- Carpet Area: 500 sq ft
- Wall Thickness + Balcony: 100 sq ft
Then, Built-up Area = 500 + 100 = 600 sq ft
For practical insights on construction layout, visit Construction Site Layout Guide
What Is Super Built-up Area?
Super built-up area includes the built-up area plus a share of common areas in the building. This can include lift lobby, staircases, corridors, clubhouse, gym, and even garden areas. Some builders also call it the “saleable area” because they calculate the sale price based on this number.
This method is usually used in apartments, housing complexes, or societies. The percentage of common area added to your flat depends on the total number of flats and size of the project.
Key Points about Super Built-up Area
- Built-up area + proportionate share of common amenities
- Includes lifts, stairs, lobby, gym, security cabin, etc.
- Increases total saleable square feet
- Often 25–40% more than carpet area
- Not usable space for you personally
Super Built-up Area Example
- Built-up Area: 600 sq ft
- Share of common areas (30% loading): 180 sq ft
Then, Super Built-up Area = 600 + 180 = 780 sq ft
This means while you are paying for 780 sq ft, you are only using 500 sq ft (the carpet area). It’s important to clarify what you’re actually paying for.
To better understand space vs cost balance, check our article on Estimating and Costing of a Residential Building – Step-by-Step
Quick Comparison Table
| Area Type | Includes | Excludes | Typical % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpet Area | Internal usable floor space, internal walls | External walls, balconies, common areas | 60–70% |
| Built-up Area | Carpet area + external walls + balcony/terrace | Common areas | 75–85% |
| Super Built-up | Built-up area + share of common facilities | None (everything included for sale) | 100% |
How Builders Use These Terms
Builders usually advertise the super built-up area because it appears larger, making the property seem more valuable. However, what you actually use daily is the carpet area. Always request a breakdown of all three areas before signing the agreement.
RERA guidelines now mandate that builders must clearly mention carpet area in all project details and sale agreements.
Area Loading Factor
Loading factor is the ratio of common areas added to the carpet area.
It is calculated as:Super Built-up Area / Carpet Area – 1
Example:
If Super Built-up Area = 780 sq ft and Carpet Area = 500 sq ft
Then Loading Factor = (780 / 500) – 1 = 0.56 or 56%
Lower loading factor means more usable area and better value for money.
Why Carpet Area Is More Important for Buyers
When you’re buying a home, carpet area gives you the real picture of how much space you’ll actually live in. It determines the room sizes, furniture layout, and comfort of the home.
Built-up and super built-up areas are useful for understanding construction and cost, but carpet area is what you’ll experience every day.
Learn more about How to Measure Building Work as per IS Codes to verify your floor area accurately.
FAQs on Carpet Area, Built-up Area, and Super Built-up Area
What is included in the carpet area?
It includes rooms, kitchen, bathrooms, and internal partition walls but excludes balconies and external walls.
Why is super built-up area larger than carpet area?
Because it includes your flat’s share of all the building’s common amenities like lobby, lift, and clubhouse.
How can I verify the carpet area?
Ask the builder for floor plans or hire an architect to measure it as per RERA’s definition.
Does price differ based on area type?
Yes, builders often quote per sq ft based on super built-up area, but cost per carpet area will be higher. Always ask for both.
Is balcony part of carpet area?
No, balconies are excluded from carpet area but may be counted in built-up or super built-up areas.
Tips for Homebuyers
- Always ask for clear breakup of carpet, built-up, and super built-up areas
- Check if the price per sq ft is quoted on super built-up or carpet area
- Use RERA-registered properties which are legally required to declare carpet area
- Avoid falling for inflated super built-up area—focus on actual usable space
- Confirm if parking area is included in super built-up calculation or sold separately
