Carpet Area vs. Super Built-Up Area: Differentiating Measurement Terminologies

What Is Carpet Area & Super Built-Up Area?

When you're looking to buy a home or an apartment, you’ll often hear terms like "carpet area" and "built-up area." But what do these terms really mean? Well, there are two different ways of measuring the size of a house or flat, and knowing the difference between carpet area and super built up area can help you understand how much space you’re actually getting.

"Carpet area" is the space inside the walls where you can lay a carpet, which means it's the actual area you can use for living. On the other hand, the "built-up area" includes the carpet area along with the thickness of the walls, balconies, and other spaces like shafts or corridors. So, the difference between super built up area and carpet area is important when it comes to understanding how much usable space you'll get in a property.

In this blog, we will take a closer look at these terms and break down the difference between built-up area and carpet area so you can make better decisions when buying a home.

Carpet Area

Carpet area refers to the actual usable space within the walls of a property. It includes the area where furniture can be placed, and daily activities take place. Carpet area excludes common areas, walls, and other structural components. It is the most important metric for buyers as it represents the true living space they will have on the property.

Super Built-Up Area

Super built-up area, also known as the saleable area or built-up area, is the sum of the carpet area along with a proportionate share of common areas. Common areas include corridors, lobbies, staircases, lifts, amenities, and other shared facilities in a building or housing complex. 

Difference Between Built-Up Area and Carpet Area

The carpet area is the actual space you can use inside your home for living. It’s the area where you can place furniture, walk around, and enjoy your daily activities. On the other hand, the built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of walls, balconies, and other common spaces like corridors.

Here’s a simple table to understand the difference:

How to Calculate Built Up Area and Carpet Area

The calculation methods for carpet area and super built up area differ. Carpet area is measured by considering the internal dimensions of a property, excluding walls, balconies, and other non-usable spaces. On the other hand, the super built-up area is calculated by adding a markup percentage to the carpet area, representing the proportionate share of common areas.

Carpet Area Calculation

The carpet area of a property can be calculated using the following formula:

Carpet Area = Area of bedroom + Living room + Balconies + Toilets – Thickness of the inner walls

This formula helps determine the actual usable area within the property by excluding the space occupied by walls.

Super Built-up Area Calculation

The super built up area of a property includes the carpet area along with additional elements such as terraces, balconies, areas occupied by walls, and common/shared constructions like elevators and stairs. Some builders may also include amenities like pools and clubhouses. The formula to calculate the super built-up area is as follows:

Super Built-up Area = Built-up Area + Common Areas (stairs, lobbies, lifts, pool, etc.)

Alternatively, it can be calculated as:

Super Built-up Area = Carpet Area × (1 + Loading Factor)

Loading Factor in Super Built-up Area And Carpet Area

The loading factor is a multiplier used to calculate the super built-up area from the carpet area. It represents the additional space added to the property for common areas and amenities. Generally, a loading factor of 1.30 is considered standard in real estate.

Formula to Calculate Loading Factor

The loading factor is calculated using the following formula:

Loading Factor = (Super Built-up Area ÷ Carpet Area) - 1

For example, if the loading factor is 1.4, the developer has added 40% more space to the carpet area. If the carpet area is 1000 square feet, the super built-up area would be 1400 square feet. Understanding these calculations and the difference between carpet area and super built up area is essential for property buyers to determine the actual usable space within a property and to compare property prices accurately.

Usage and Implications Of Super Built-up Area and Carpet Area

Carpet areas and super built-up areas have different implications for buyers. Carpet area directly affects the liveability and functionality of a property as it represents the actual living space available. Buyers should prioritise carpet area when evaluating the size and layout of a property.

The super built up area, although larger than the carpet area, includes common areas and is often used for pricing and cost allocation purposes. It influences the selling price, property tax rates, and maintenance charges. Buyers should be aware that the super built-up area may include spaces they do not have exclusive access to.

Transparency and DocumentationFor Super Built-up and Carpet Area

One challenge for buyers is the lack of standardisation in measurement terminologies across the real estate industry. Developers and sellers must disclose the carpet area, super built-up area, and other relevant specifications in the sales documentation. It is essential for buyers to review the legal documents and floor plans to ensure transparency and accuracy in the declared measurements.

The Final Word

Differentiating between carpet area and super built-up area is essential for buyers to make informed decisions in real estate transactions. The carpet area represents the actual usable space within the walls of a property, while the super built-up area includes the carpet area along with a proportionate share of common areas. 

Buyers should prioritise the carpet area as it directly impacts the liveability and functionality of the property. However, understanding the super built-up area is also important for pricing, cost allocation, and understanding the shared facilities available.