Carpet Area vs Built-Up Area: A Simple Guide for Homebuyers

If you’re buying a home, you’ve likely come across the terms carpet area, built up area, and sometimes even super built up area. At first glance, they can seem a bit confusing — but don’t worry. You’re not alone!

Carpet Area vs Built-Up Area: A Simple Guide for Homebuyers

In this easy-to-understand guide, I’ll break down the differences between these terms and help you make a better choice when choosing your new home. After all, when it comes to investing your hard-earned money, every square foot counts.

Source: Property

What is the carpet area?

Let’s start with the most important one—carpet area.

The carpet area is the actual usable area inside your home. It’s the space where you can place a carpet or your furniture—the space you walk on every day.

It includes:

• Bedrooms

• Living/dining rooms

• Kitchen

• Bathrooms

• Internal partition walls (partially)

It does NOT include:

• Outer walls

• Balcony

• Veranda

• Staircase

• Common areas

For example, if your flat has a carpet area of 700 sq. ft., that means 700 sq. ft. of space is fully usable by you. You can also check out another luxurious project of the prestigious Prestige Group that is located in Worli, which is Prestige Nautilus.

What is a built up area?

Now, let’s talk about built-up area. This includes the carpet area plus the area taken up by the internal and external walls and any balconies or utility areas attached to the house.

Formula:

1. Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + Walls + Balcony

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

So, if the carpet area is 700 sq. ft., your built-up area might be around 840–860 sq. ft.

What is a super built-up area?

Here’s where it gets even more interesting. The super built up area includes the built-up area plus your share of common spaces in the apartment complex — like corridors, the lobby, stairs, the clubhouse, and lifts. This is also known as the saleable area because many developers calculate the price based on this.

Formula:

Super Built-Up Area = Built-Up Area + Common Area Share

For example:

• Carpet Area = 700 sq. ft.

• Built-Up Area = 850 sq. ft.

• Super Built-Up Area = 1,050 sq. ft.

If the price is ₹9,000/sq. ft. on super built-up area, you’d pay 1,050 x 9,000 = ₹94,50,000. But remember, you can only use the carpet area.

Carpet Area vs Built-Up Area: Key Differences

Feature	Carpet Area	Built-Up Area
Usable Space	Yes	Partially
Includes Walls	No	Yes (inner & outer walls)
Includes Balcony	No	Yes
Price Calculation	More accurate	Slightly inflated
Transparency Level	High	Moderate

So, whenever you’re comparing flats, always ask for the carpet area vs built up area ratio. It gives a more realistic picture of what you’re buying.

What RERA Says About Carpet Area

Under the RERA Act (2016), builders must clearly disclose the carpet area in their brochures and agreements.

This ensures:

• Transparency

• No hidden charges

• Informed buying decisions

As a buyer, you should always base your decision on the carpet area – not just the total area shown in advertisements.

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Built Up and Super Built Up: What You Really Pay For

Here’s the tricky part: most builders quote the price per square foot based on the super built-up area, not the carpet area.

That means:

• You’re paying for common areas too.

• Your actual usable space is less.

• You may feel the home is smaller after moving in.

Quick Buyer Tips

1. Always ask for all three areas—carpet, built-up, and super built-up.

2. Compare price per sq. ft. based on carpet area, not super built-up.

3. Visit the model flat to get a better sense of actual space.

4. Ask for RERA-approved plans for 100% clarity.

5. Use online area calculators to estimate usable space.

Know Your Space Before You Buy: Don’t Just Buy Square Feet—Buy Value!

Understanding the difference between carpet area vs built up area is the key to being a smart homebuyer. It’s not just about how big the flat looks on paper—it’s about how much space you actually get to live in.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Carpet Area = Actual usable area

• Built-Up Area = Carpet area + walls + balcony

• Super Built-Up Area = Built-up area + common areas

So next time you’re exploring flats, don’t just look at the biggest number on the brochure. Ask for the carpet area, do your calculations, and choose what truly suits your lifestyle and budget.

Still confused or looking for help with a property you’re considering? Connect with Chaabria Housing—we are here to help you make smarter, more confident choices for you.

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