Know what you're really paying per square foot of usable space.
Convert between carpet area, built-up area, and super built-up area. See the effective price you pay for actual usable space.
Typical: 10-15% for apartments
Typical: 20-30% (lobby, stairs, corridors)
Carpet
1,000
sq ft
Built-up
1,150
sq ft
Super Built-up
1,438
sq ft
Effective Price per Sq Ft (Carpet)
₹11,500
vs ₹8,000/sqft quoted (super built-up)
You pay 44% more than the carpet area rate
Under RERA, builders must sell based on carpet area. Always ask for the RERA-registered carpet area before comparing prices.
What is Carpet Area, Built-up Area, and Super Built-up Area?
Carpet Area is the actual usable floor area inside your apartment walls -- the area you can lay a carpet on. Built-up Area includes carpet area plus the thickness of internal and external walls (typically 10-15% more). Super Built-up Area adds your share of common areas like lobbies, staircases, corridors, gym, and clubhouse (typically 25-35% more than built-up area).
RERA and Carpet Area in India
Since RERA (Real Estate Regulation Act, 2016), all builders are legally required to sell properties based on carpet area, not super built-up area. This protects buyers from inflated area claims. When a builder quotes ₹8,000/sqft on super built-up, the effective carpet area rate could be ₹11,000-12,000/sqft. Always compare properties on carpet area to make a fair comparison.
Bangalore apartment buying check
Compare properties on usable area, not only brochure area.
Bengaluru apartment listings may mention carpet area, built-up area, or super built-up area depending on the builder, resale seller, or portal. If two flats show the same price per square foot but different loading, the actual usable-space cost can be very different.
Use this calculator while comparing flats in Whitefield, Sarjapur Road, Electronic City, Hebbal, Yelahanka, Jayanagar, and other Bengaluru micro-markets where amenity loading and common-area allocation can vary by project.
Formula reminder
Built-up area usually adds wall loading to carpet area. Super built-up area further adds common-area loading. For buyer comparison, effective price on carpet area is often the clearest number.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Common questions answered to help you make better property decisions.
Any questions? Reach out