Marla to Square Feet Converter

Marla, Kanal and Square Feet, The Pakistani Real Estate Units

Marla and Kanal are the traditional units of land measurement used across Pakistan, especially in Punjab and Lahore real estate. Despite being centuries old, they remain the standard way plots are listed, taxed and sold by LDA, DHA, Bahria Town and every other society. Understanding the conversion to square feet is essential before construction.

Standard Conversion Rates Used in Lahore

The Lahore Development Authority (LDA), DHA Lahore, Bahria Town, Park View City and most Punjab societies use a standardised conversion: 1 Marla = 225 square feet. This is also called the "modern Marla" and was standardised under Pakistan's land record reforms. By extension, 1 Kanal = 20 Marla = 4,500 square feet, and 8 Kanal = 1 Acre.

The Historical 272 Sq Ft Marla

Older land records in rural Punjab, parts of Kasur and some heritage properties in Inner Lahore use the historical conversion of 1 Marla = 272 square feet (sometimes called the "Punjab Marla" or "Shahjahani Marla"). Always confirm with your property documents which standard applies. For new construction in modern societies, 225 sq ft is the universally accepted figure.

Common Plot Size Reference

For quick mental conversion: a 3 Marla plot is 675 sq ft, 5 Marla is 1,125 sq ft, 7 Marla is 1,575 sq ft, 8 Marla is 1,800 sq ft, 10 Marla is 2,250 sq ft, 1 Kanal is 4,500 sq ft, and 2 Kanal is 9,000 sq ft. In square yards (also used in some sale deeds), divide square feet by 9, so 5 Marla = 125 sq yd, 10 Marla = 250 sq yd, 1 Kanal = 500 sq yd. In square meters (international), multiply sq ft by 0.0929.

Why Plot Size Matters for Construction Cost

Plot size in Marla or Kanal directly determines covered construction area. At the typical 85% Lahore coverage assumption, a 5 Marla plot supports about 1,000 sq ft per floor, 10 Marla about 1,900 sq ft per floor, and 1 Kanal about 3,800 sq ft per floor. Multiply by storeys (single, double or triple) for total covered area, then by the per-sq-ft rate (PKR 600 for labour, PKR 2,500 for grey structure with material, PKR 4,250 for turnkey, PKR 4,800 for premium finishing) to get an approximate construction cost.

Marla to Other Units Cheat Sheet

For context across regions: 1 Marla = 25 sq yards = 20.9 sq meters. 1 Kanal = 500 sq yards = 418 sq meters = 0.125 acre = 0.05 hectare. 1 Acre = 8 Kanal = 160 Marla = 4,840 sq yards = 4,047 sq meters. These conversions are useful when comparing plots advertised internationally or in Karachi (which sometimes uses sq yards exclusively for residential plots).