Carpet Area vs Built-up Area vs Super Built-up Area
Two flats advertised at the same size can give you very different amounts of living space. The difference is in which "area" the number refers to. Here is what each term means, and how to compare projects fairly.
The three areas
| Term | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Carpet area | The usable floor area inside your flat: rooms, kitchen and toilets, including internal walls. |
| Built-up area | Carpet area plus the thickness of the external walls, and usually balconies and dry areas. |
| Super built-up area | Built-up area plus your share of common areas such as lobbies, staircases, lifts and the clubhouse. |
What RERA says
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016 defines carpet area as the net usable floor area of a flat, excluding the external walls, service shafts, exclusive balconies or verandahs and exclusive open terraces, but including the internal partition walls.
Developers of RERA-registered projects must state the carpet area in the agreement for sale. That is why every project page on Keys99 shows the carpet area for each configuration.
Why it matters for price
The same flat looks cheaper per square foot when the price is divided by a larger number. A flat priced at ₹ 65 Lakh with a carpet area of 650 sq ft costs ₹ 10,000 per sq ft of carpet area. If the same flat were described by a super built-up area of 900 sq ft, it would seem to cost about ₹ 7,200 per sq ft, though nothing about it has changed.
When you compare projects, always compare the price per sq ft of carpet area. Keys99 works this out for every configuration on its project and locality pages.
A quick checklist
- Ask for the carpet area of each flat type in writing, and check it matches the agreement for sale.
- Check whether balconies and dry areas are counted separately, and how big they are.
- Compare projects on price per sq ft of carpet area, not on super built-up area.
- Look up the project's registration on the state RERA website. Our guide on checking a project on MahaRERA shows how.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the price of a flat based on carpet area?
For RERA-registered projects, the agreement for sale must state the carpet area, so the price you agree to is for a flat of that carpet area. Always compare prices per sq ft of carpet area.
Is a balcony included in carpet area?
No. Under the RERA definition, exclusive balconies, verandahs and open terraces are excluded from carpet area. Developers usually list them separately.
How much bigger is super built-up area than carpet area?
It depends on the project, its common areas and amenities. Ask the developer for both figures rather than assuming a ratio.