Introduction

If you've ever looked at property listings in Pakistan, you've probably seen terms like "5 Marla," "10 Marla," "1 Kanal," or "120 Square Yards" and wondered what they actually mean. The confusion is real—especially because one Marla is not the same size everywhere in Pakistan.

A 10 Marla plot in Lahore may be a different square footage than a 10 Marla plot in Islamabad. A Kanal in Karachi might mean something completely different from a Kanal in Peshawar.

This guide breaks down Pakistan's property measurement system in simple terms, explains why sizes vary, and gives you the exact conversion numbers you need before buying or selling property.

What Is a Marla?

Marla is a traditional unit of area used in Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. It originated during the British Raj and was standardized as 272.25 square feet (or 30.25 square yards).

The British standard:

  • 1 Marla = 272.25 sq ft = 30.25 sq yards = 25.29 sq meters

However, in modern Pakistan, Marla has three different measurements depending on where you are:

Marla SizeSquare FeetWhere Commonly UsedStandard/British272.25 sq ftRural areas, old city records, Patwari systemMedium250 sq ftSome suburban areasSmall225 sq ftModern housing societies, Lahore, Islamabad, DHA

What Is a Kanal?

Kanal is a larger unit, primarily used in northern Pakistan and for larger plots.

The standard relationship:

  • 20 Marla = 1 Kanal

But because Marla sizes vary, so does Kanal:

Kanal SizeSquare FeetSquare YardsWhere Commonly UsedSmall (Modern)4,500 sq ft500 sq yardsModern housing societies, DHA, Bahria TownMedium5,000 sq ft555 sq yardsSome suburban areasStandard/British5,445 sq ft605 sq yardsOld records, Patwari systemRural5,400 sq ft600 sq yardsRural Punjab and Sindh

Important: In modern housing schemes like DHA and Bahria Town, 1 Kanal = 4,500 sq ft (based on 225 sq ft Marla). In older areas, 1 Kanal = 5,445 sq ft (based on 272.25 sq ft Marla).

Why Marla Sizes Vary Across Pakistan

The variation comes from different measurement systems used by different authorities:

The Patwari System (272.25 sq ft)

The traditional land revenue system uses the British standard of 272.25 sq ft per Marla. If your property is in a rural area or has old land records, this is the measurement used.

Modern Housing Societies (225 sq ft)

Developers in Lahore, Islamabad, and DHA use 225 sq ft per Marla. This makes 1 Kanal equal to 4,500 sq ft (500 sq yards). The reason: it simplifies calculations and creates "round" plot sizes like 25x45 ft, 35x65 ft, and 50x90 ft.

Some Areas Use 250 sq ft

A middle-ground measurement of 250 sq ft per Marla is used in certain suburban areas and older housing schemes.

Quick Conversion Chart (Standard 225 sq ft Marla)

Here's the most commonly used conversion table in modern Pakistani housing societies:

MarlaSquare FeetSquare Yards (Gazz)Square Meters12252520.9024505041.8136757562.71490010083.6151,125125104.5261,350150125.4271,575175146.3281,800200167.2292,025225188.13102,250250209.03153,375375313.5520 (1 Kanal)4,500500418.06

Conversion Chart (Traditional 272.25 sq ft Marla)

If you're dealing with old land records or rural property, use this table:

MarlaSquare FeetSquare Yards (Gazz)Square Meters1272.2530.2525.2951,361.25151.25126.47102,722.5302.5252.93154,083.75453.75379.4020 (1 Kanal)5,445605505.86

How to Convert Square Feet to Marla (The Easy Formula)

If you know the total square feet and want to find Marla, use this formula:

For modern housing societies (225 sq ft):

Square Feet ÷ 225 = Marla

Example: 2,250 sq ft ÷ 225 = 10 Marla

For traditional/rural areas (272.25 sq ft):

Square Feet ÷ 272.25 = Marla

Example: 5,445 sq ft ÷ 272.25 = 20 Marla (1 Kanal)

Plot Dimensions: What "10 Marla" Actually Looks Like

Plot sizes aren't always perfect rectangles. Here are common dimensions for standard plot sizes in modern societies:

Plot SizeCommon DimensionsActual Square Feet5 Marla25 x 45 ft1,125 sq ft8 Marla30 x 60 ft1,800 sq ft10 Marla35 x 65 ft2,275 sq ft*1 Kanal50 x 90 ft4,500 sq ft

*Note: A 10 Marla plot at 35x65 ft is actually 2,275 sq ft—slightly larger than the standard 2,250 sq ft. This is common in DHA and Bahria Town.

City-by-City Differences You Must Know

City/AreaCommon Marla SizeCommon Kanal SizeLahore (DHA, Bahria)225 sq ft4,500 sq ftIslamabad (CDA)225 sq ft4,500 sq ftKarachiUses Square Feet/Yards primarily—Rural Punjab272.25 sq ft5,445 sq ftSome Old Schemes250 sq ft5,000 sq ft

Karachi Note: Karachi primarily uses Square Feet and Square Yards (Gazz) for property listings. If you see "120 sq yards" in Karachi, that's approximately 1,080 sq ft or roughly 4.8 Marla (at 225 sq ft standard).

What About Acres and Bighas?

For larger land measurements:

  • 1 Acre = 43,560 sq ft

  • 1 Acre = 8 Kanal (at 5,445 sq ft Kanal)

  • 1 Bigha = 4 Kanal (varies by region)

  • 1 Murabba = 25 Acres

Why This Matters When Buying Property

Price confusion: If a seller says "5 Marla" but you're thinking 225 sq ft Marla and they're using 272.25 sq ft, you could pay 20% more per square foot than expected.

Construction planning: Building regulations and coverage ratios often depend on exact plot size. The LDA building regulations, for example, specify rules based on Marla sizes.

Resale value: When you sell, buyers will use the local standard for that area. Know which standard applies to your property.

FAQs

Q1: What is 1 Marla in square feet?
The British standard is 272.25 sq ft. However, modern housing societies in Lahore and Islamabad commonly use 225 sq ft. Always confirm which standard applies to your specific area.

Q2: How many Marla in 1 Kanal?
20 Marla = 1 Kanal in the standard system. This is consistent across Pakistan.

Q3: How many square feet in 1 Kanal?
It depends on the Marla size: 4,500 sq ft (modern, 225 sq ft Marla) or 5,445 sq ft (traditional, 272.25 sq ft Marla).

Q4: Is Marla the same in Lahore and Islamabad?
In modern societies like DHA and Bahria Town, yes—225 sq ft per Marla. But older areas and rural land may use the traditional 272.25 sq ft.

Q5: How do I convert square feet to Marla?
Divide total square feet by 225 (for modern societies) or 272.25 (for traditional/rural areas).

Q6: What is Gazz?
Gazz is the Urdu term for Square Yard. 1 Gazz = 9 sq ft. Karachi commonly uses Gazz for property listings.

Final Advice

Before buying or selling property in Pakistan, always confirm the local Marla standard used in that specific area or housing society. Ask the real estate agent directly: "Is this 225 Marla or 272 Marla?" The difference can mean lakhs of rupees in actual value.

When in doubt, insist on the exact dimensions in feet (length × width) so you can calculate the true square footage yourself.