Two sizes of marla
A marla is not the same everywhere. Most private housing societies and development authorities use 225 square feet per marla. Revenue records kept by the patwari, and older areas, use 272.25 square feet. A “10 marla” plot can therefore be 2,250 or 2,722.5 square feet, a difference of almost 500 square feet.
Quick conversion table
| Plot | 225 sq ft marla | 272.25 sq ft marla |
|---|---|---|
| 5 marla | 1,125 sq ft | 1,361 sq ft |
| 10 marla | 2,250 sq ft | 2,723 sq ft |
| 1 kanal (20 marla) | 4,500 sq ft | 5,445 sq ft |
| 1 acre | – | 8 kanal (43,560 sq ft) |
Other useful units
- 1 square yard (gaz) = 9 square feet. Karachi plots are often measured in square yards: a 120 sq yd plot is 1,080 sq ft.
- 1 square metre ≈ 10.76 square feet.
- 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft; 1 hectare ≈ 2.47 acres.
Before you buy
Check the size in square feet on the allotment letter or transfer documents, not just the marla number. Property taxes and stamp duty are charged on the value, so the true area affects what you pay.