29th, Apr, 2025

Carpet Area vs Super Built Up Area: Know Before You Buy a Home

When you're looking to buy a new flat or house, you’ll often hear terms like carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. These can be confusing, especially if you're buying a home for the first time. But don’t worry—House Gyan has been through this process, and this article will explain everything in simple words. Understanding these terms can save you money and help you make the right decision.

What Is Carpet Area?

The Carpet Area is the actual usable area inside your home—the space where you can lay a carpet. This includes your:

• Bedroom

• Living room

• Dining room

• Kitchen

• Bathrooms

But it does not include:

• Walls

• Balconies

• Utility areas

• Common spaces

Example: If a builder says the carpet area is 700 sq. ft., this means you can actually use all those 700 sq. ft. inside your flat.

What Is Built-Up Area?

Built-Up Area is the carpet area plus the area covered by walls and some other spaces, like:

• Internal and external walls

• Balcony (if applicable)

• Utility areas

So, the built-up area is usually 10-20% more than the carpet area.

Example: If your carpet area is 700 sq. ft., then the built-up area could be around 840 sq. ft. and the super Built- Up Ares would be 1540 sq.ft.

What Is a Super Built-Up Area?

Super Built-Up Area = Built-up Area + Common Areas, such as:

• Staircases

• Lifts

• Lobby

• Clubhouse

• Gym

• Swimming pool

• Parking area

• Garden (sometimes)

This is also called the “saleable area” because most builders quote the price based on this.

The common area included in the super built-up area is calculated by determining the total shared space in the building and then proportionately allocating it to each unit based on its size.

Example: If the carpet area is 700 sq. ft., the super built-up area could be 1,000 sq. ft. or more.

Before finalising any property, make sure it's approvedWhat is RERA and Importance for Homebuyers to Check RERA Approval.

How Carpet Area, Built-Up Area, and Super Built-Up Area Are Calculated

Why This Matters: Price Per Square Foot

Most builders charge based on the super built-up area, not the carpet area. That means:

• You may be paying ₹5,000 per sq. ft. for 1,000 sq. ft. (super built-up area)

• But your usable carpet area might only be 700 sq. ft.

Important: Always calculate the effective price per sq. ft. based on carpet area to know if it’s worth it.

Carpet Area vs Super Built-Up Area: Key Differences

Planning to buy a new home? Don't forget to check theTop 10 Things to Remember When Planning Your House Design – it’s a must-read before finalising your layout!

Tips Before You Buy a Home

• Always ask for the carpet area separately.

• Get the floor plan and verify the measurements.

• Ask for RERA details—under RERA rules, builders must mention the carpet area.

• Compare prices based on carpet area, not super built-up area.

• Visit the site to understand the actual space and layout.

FAQ: About Carpet Area vs Super Built-Up Area

Q1. Is the carpet area mentioned in the sale agreement?

Yes, under RERA, the carpet area must be mentioned in the agreement.

Q2. Which area should I consider when comparing flats?

Always compare carpet area, since that’s the real usable space.

Q3. Why do builders mention super built-up area?

Because it includes common areas and looks bigger, which helps in marketing the property.

Q4. Can two flats with the same super built-up area have different carpet areas?

Yes, because the ratio of carpet to super built-up can vary based on the building layout.

Conclusion

Buying a home is a big decision, and understanding these terms—carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area—is very important. Don’t get confused by big numbers. Focus on how much space you’ll get to live in.