One of the most confusing parts of buying an apartment is the area. The same flat can be advertised as 1,000 or 1,300 sq ft depending on which number is used. Here's how to read them.
Carpet area
Carpet area is the actual usable area inside your flat — the space you could lay a carpet on. It's measured within the inner walls and excludes the thickness of outer walls. This is the number that truly reflects how much space you get.
Built-up area
Built-up area is the carpet area plus the space taken by the walls themselves and usually the balcony. It's larger than carpet area by roughly 10–15%.
Super built-up area
Super built-up area adds your proportionate share of common spaces — lobby, staircase, corridors, sometimes amenities. This "loading" can add 20–35% over carpet area. Historically, builders quoted prices on super built-up area, which made flats look cheaper per square foot than they were.
Why RERA changed this
RERA made it mandatory to sell and disclose flats on carpet area, bringing honesty to comparisons. When you compare two projects, always compare carpet area and price-per-carpet-sq-ft — not super built-up.
The practical takeaway
- Ask for the carpet area in writing before you compare or decide.
- Work out the real price per carpet sq ft to compare projects fairly.
- A high "loading" means more of your money goes to common areas than your own floor.
Understanding these three numbers can be the difference between a fair deal and an expensive surprise.