Carpet Area vs Built-up Area vs Super Area: What's the Difference

If you have been looking at property listings, you have probably seen three different area figures for what looks like the same flat. Here is what each one actually means.

Carpet area

Carpet area is the actual usable floor area inside your flat's walls — the space you could, in theory, roll a carpet over. It does not include the thickness of walls, balconies, or any shared spaces.

Built-up area

Built-up area adds the thickness of your flat's own walls and any balcony or terrace area to the carpet area. It is typically larger than the carpet area by roughly ten to fifteen percent, though this varies by project.

Super area (or super built-up area)

Super area adds a proportionate share of common spaces — lobbies, staircases, lifts, corridors, and shared amenities — on top of the built-up area. This is usually the largest number, and it is often the figure used to quote a price per square foot, which is why two flats quoted at a similar rate can have noticeably different actual living space.

Why this matters when comparing properties

Always ask for the carpet area when comparing price per square foot across different projects, since that is the space you will actually live in. Under India's real estate regulations, developers are required to disclose carpet area clearly, so do not hesitate to ask for it in writing before making a decision.

If you would like help comparing the real usable space across a few shortlisted properties, our team is happy to walk through the numbers with you.