Carpet Area, Built-up Area, & Super Built-up Area – A Complete Guide

When buying a home, it’s easy to get confused by real estate jargon like carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. These terms directly impact the size, cost, and value of a property, yet many buyers don’t fully understand them. This guide breaks down each concept in simple terms, so you can make better, more informed decisions when choosing your dream home.

What is Carpet Area?

The carpet area is the actual usable area within the walls of your home—where you can literally lay a carpet. It includes bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms, but excludes the thickness of inner walls, balconies, and utility spaces.

Formula:

Carpet Area = Total usable area inside the flat (excluding walls, balconies, etc.)

Why it matters:

Carpet area tells you how much space you’ll actually use. RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority) mandates that builders disclose the carpet area, making it the most reliable metric for buyers.

What is Built-up Area?

The built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of internal and external walls and sometimes includes balconies or utility areas.

Formula:

Built-up Area = Carpet Area + Walls + Utility/Balcony Area

Typically, the built-up area is about 10-20% more than the carpet area.

Why it matters:

Built-up area gives a more holistic view of the apartment’s size, but it still doesn’t reflect shared spaces like staircases, lifts, or lobbies.

What is Super Built-up Area?

The super built-up area, often called the saleable area, includes your apartment's built-up area plus a share of common spaces like corridors, lobbies, lifts, clubhouses, staircases, etc.

Formula:

Super Built-up Area = Built-up Area + Proportionate share of common areas

Builders often use this figure to quote the price of the property, which can inflate the per square foot rate and mislead buyers if they’re not aware of the real carpet area.

Why it matters:

This is the area for which you’re actually paying. So, a larger super built-up area may not mean more usable space—it often means you’re paying for common areas too.

Also Read:- built up area vs carpet area

Final Thoughts

Understanding these area measurements can save you from hidden costs and false expectations. Always ask for the carpet area when comparing different properties, as it reflects the true size of your living space. A higher super built-up area doesn't always mean a bigger home—it just means you’re paying for more than what you’ll personally use.

Next time you’re house hunting, read the fine print, compare area breakups, and make sure you're getting the value you're paying for!