When buying a property in India, one of the most confusing things for homebuyers is understanding terms like Carpet Area, Built-up Area, and Super Built-up Area. These terms directly affect the space you actually get - and the price you pay. In this blog, we’ll break them down clearly with examples so you never feel lost again.

🏠 1. What is Carpet Area?

Carpet Area is the actual usable area inside your flat - the space where you can lay a carpet, hence the name. This includes:

• Bedrooms
• Living Room
• Dining Area
• Kitchen
• Bathrooms
• Internal walls

But it does not include:

• Balconies
• Terraces
• External walls
• Common areas (like stairs, lift, lobby)

📌 Tip: RERA (Real Estate Regulation Act) mandates that builders must disclose the carpet area to buyers.

👉 Example: If your 2 BHK flat has:

• Bedroom 1: 120 sq.ft
• Bedroom 2: 110 sq.ft
• Living Room: 150 sq.ft
• Kitchen: 90 sq.ft
• Bathrooms: 80 sq.ft

Carpet Area = 120 + 110 + 150 + 90 + 80 = 550 sq.ft

🧱 2. What is Built-up Area?

Built-up Area = Carpet Area + Walls + Balcony

It includes:

• Carpet Area
• Thickness of inner & outer walls
• Utility areas
• Balcony and terrace (if private)

Generally, built-up area is about 10-20% more than carpet area.

👉 Example: If your carpet area is 550 sq.ft, then:

• Internal & External walls: 70 sq.ft
• Balcony: 80 sq.ft
• ➡️ Built-up Area = 550 + 70 + 80 = 700 sq.ft

🏢 3. What is Super Built-up Area?

Also known as "saleable area", this is what builders often advertise and charge you for.

Super Built-up Area = Built-up Area + Common Areas

It Includes:

• Lobbies
• Staircases
• Lift shaft
• Gym, clubhouse (if shared)
• Swimming pool (proportionate area)

Usually, super built-up area is 25-40% more than carpet area.

👉 Example: If your built-up area is 700 sq.ft and your share of common areas is 200 sq.ft, then:

➡️ Super Built-up Area = 700 + 200 = 900 sq.ft

📉 Why Does This Matter?

Let’s say the per sq.ft price is ₹8,000:

Area Type               Size (sq.ft)       Price
Carpet Area             550                ₹44,00,000
Built-up Area           700                ₹56,00,000
Super Built-up          900                ₹72,00,000

This shows how the actual space you use can be much less than what you're paying for.

✅ Final Tips for Buyers

• Always ask the builder for carpet area – it’s your real usable space.
• Use the RERA website to verify the property layout and area breakup.
• Don’t compare properties based only on super built-up area.

📌 Summary Table:

Term                   What it Includes                   Buyer Relevance
Carpet Area            Usable space inside the flat       Most important
Built-up Area          Carpet + walls + balconies         Moderate relevance
Super Built-up         Built-up + common areas            For pricing (but can mislead)