How Many Marlas in One Kanal in Pakistan?
One kanal in Pakistan consists of 20 Marla according to standard real estate measurement. This measurement is used across most cities between buyers, sellers, and investors.
If you’re planning to buy a plot or build a new space, then knowing the basic space measurements should not be compromised. Get help from professional builders to avoid horror blocks. This guide will help you break down the understanding of kanal, marla, and more to save your time and money.
Marlas in One Kanal
1 Kanal = 20 Marla in Pakistan
When you are buying a one kanal plot in Pakistan, it will be equivalent to 20 Marla land. If you own 10 Marla, then this is half a Kanal or 0.5 Kanal. This basic conversion helps property buyers, construction investors, and overseas Pakistanis to make investments without confusion.
What Is The Standard Marla Size In Pakistan?
The standard marla size in Pakistan is 272.25 square feet. This measurement is rooted in British-era land measurement systems. The size of marla can vary depending on the region and city.
Are you guessing where 272.25 square feet comes from? Historically:
1 Kanal = 20 Marla
1Kanal = 5,445 square feet
So:
5,445 ÷ 20 = 272.25 sq ft per marla
Most modern cities like Lahore, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and others follow this marla rule.
Why Does Marla Size Differ In Cities Like Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, And Rawalpindi?
Marla’s size is not the same across cities in Pakistan. Some cities and many housing societies use smaller versions like 225 sq ft or 250 sq ft.
Here’s the city-to-city breakdown
Lahore
Lahore has the most varied marla measurements. Some older and urban schemes use 225 sq ft, while modern private housing societies use 272.25 sq ft.
The housing schemes under the lower development authority use smaller sizes. So, in Lahore 5 Marla plot could be 1,125 sq ft or 1,361 sq ft.
Islamabad
Islamabad has more transparent and consistent marla measurement as compared to Lahore. Many sectors under development authorities follow 272.25 sq ft per marla. This means one Kanal is equal to 5,445 sq ft. Consult licensed real estate advisors in Islamabad because buying property in this city requires careful regulations.
Karachi
Marla is not a common term in Karachi, as the investors deal in square yards. So the dominant unit is a square yard. Most property listings are in.
120 sq yd
240 sq yd
500 sq yd
If we convert to Marla, then it will come close to around 272 sq ft per Marla.
Rawalpindi
Older inner city areas may have some variations, but Rawalpindi generally aligns with Islamabad Marla measurements. Most formal housing societies follow 272.25 sq ft. per marla.
What Is One Kanal Equal To In Square Feet?
One Kanal is equal to 5,445 square feet in Pakistan. The square feet are calculated in the following way.
1 Marla = 272.25 sq ft
1 Kanal = 20 Marla
So:
272.25 x 20 =5,445 sq ft
Sometimes one kanal is equal to 4500 sq ft in Lahore, especially for certain areas under the local development authority. So in that case, a smaller marla size will break down as follows.
1 Marla = 225 sq ft
1 Kanal = 20 Marla
20 x 225 =4,500 sq ft
So:
1 Kanal = 4,500 square feet
What Is The Marla To Square Feet Formula?
The formula for converting Marla to square feet depends on the standard that is being used. The following is the most standard system formula used in Pakistan.
Square feet = Marla x 272.25
Example Using the 272.25 Standard
| 5 Marla Plot | 5 × 272.25 = 1,361.25 sq ft |
| 10 Marla Plot | 10 × 272.25 = 2,722.5 sq ft |
| 1 Kanal Plot | 20 × 272.25 = 5,445 sq ft |
What’s the Difference Between a 5 Marla and a 10 Marla House?
The 5 marla and 10 marla houses not only differ in space measurement but also offer a completely different lifestyle and budget requirements. Both options offer two different living experiences and investment goals. The following are the key differences you should know:
Size and Space
The plot size for 5 marla is ~1,125 sq ft, while ~2,250 sq ft. for 10 Marla space. A 5 marla space can accommodate 2-3 bedrooms, living areas, a kitchen, parking for 1 car, and a small terrace. 10 marla offers an ideal space for an extended family with 3-4+ bedrooms, a separate lounge, a guest drawing room, a larger kitchen, and a slightly bigger driveaway.
Cost Differences
A middle-income buyer can accommodate a 5 marla plot in Pakistan, while 10 marla plots demand a higher upfront investment. The higher quality materials, luxuries, and custom designs can increase costs in both cases. Here is an estimated cost guide:
| Plot Size | Typical Covered Area | Grey Structure & Finishing Cost |
| 5 Marla | ~1,850–2,000 sq ft | ~PKR 50–60 lakh (standard) |
| 10 Marla | ~3.200–3,500 sq ft | ~PKR 95–115 lakh (standard) |
Investment & Resale Factors
Rental demand and sale value of 5 marla is faster than 10 Marla. 10 marla has longer-term appreciation potential, especially in premium areas like DHA.
How to Calculate Plot Size in Pakistan
The process of calculating the plot size starts with measuring plot dimensions. First, the length and width of the plot are measured, such as:
Length = 30 feet
Width = 60 feet
Then calculate the total area in square feet by using the simple area formula for a rectangle:
Area (sq ft) = Length x Width
If we take 30 x 60 plot size:
30 x 60 = 1,800 sq ft
This is the total land area in square feet. Now convert the square feet into marla by using the following formula:
Marla = Total sq ft ÷ 272.25
As 1 marla is equal to 272.25 sq ft
So:
1,800 ÷ 272.25 ≈ 6.61 marla
The size of marla can vary by location, so always confirm which marla standard your developer is using.
What are the Standard Housing Society Plot Sizes in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the housing society plot sizes are distributed fairly, so buyers can easily compare and budget their property needs.
Typical Plot Sizes
A wide range of plot sizes is available under housing society schemes for smaller families to larger family homes. Here are the common plot sizes:
3 Marla
5 Marla
7-8 Marla
10 Marla
1 Kanal
2 Kanal and Above
Popular Plot Sizes in Major Societies
The plot sizes in housing societies typically range from 3 marla to 1 kanal and beyond, offering affordable and premium living in one place.
DHA: 5 Marla, 7 & 8 Marla, 10 Marla, 1 Kanal, and 2 Kanal in a few phases.
Bahria Town: 5 Marla, 8 Marla, 10 Marla, 1 Kanal.
Al Kabir Town: 3 Marla, 5 Marla, 10 Marla
Bahria Orchard: Mostly 5, 10 marla and 1 kanal plots.
Park View City: 3.5, 5, 10 marla, and larger sizes.
Kanal ve Acres: How Do They Compare?
One kanal is equal to one eighth of an acre. Both are traditional units and originally formalized during British rule. Here is the basic conversion of Kanal to Acres:
1 Kanal = 0.125 Acres
1 Acres = 8 Kanals
Land Area Conversion Chart For Pakistan
As you know, the standard marla size is 272.25 sq ft. Here is the chart covering Pakistan’s most common land measurement units.
| Unit | Marla | Kanal | Square Feet (sq ft) | Square Yards (sq yd) | Acres |
| 1 Marla | 1 | 0.05 | 272.25 | 30.25 | 0.00625 |
| 1 Kanal | 20 | 1 | 5,445 | 605 | 0.125 |
| 1 Acre | 150 | 8 | 43,560 | 4,840 | 1 |
What is the Traditional Land Measurement System in Pakistan?
The land system of Pakistan has roots in South Asian agrarian culture. The unit has evolved over centuries, but some are still present in old property records. Here are the core traditional units:
Karam: Used to measure land length. One karam is equal to 5.5 feet.
Sarsai: The smallest area unit, which is equal to 30.25 square feet.
Marla: Traditional plot unit, which is equal to 272.25 square feet.
Kanal: Used for larger plots, which are equal to 20 marlas.
Final Words
Knowing the land measurement system before buying or selling any property in Pakistan is necessary if you want to avoid losses. Always identify whether your builder or society is using 225 sq ft or 250 sq ft. The variation in marla sizes can occur across Pakistan, so be aware and consult professional builders like Shelters Engineering before making any important property decision.
