Marla to Square Feet in Lahore: 5 Marla, 10 Marla and 1 Kanal Sizes

Rental listings in Lahore are written in marla and kanal, not square feet. The trouble is that a marla is not the same size everywhere. Here is what the written rules say, and a table to convert the common sizes.

How many square feet is a marla?

The answer depends on which definition applies:

• 225 square feet (25 square yards). The Punjab Private Housing Schemes Rules, 2010 define a marla as 225 square feet in Lahore district and about 272 square feet in other districts. The DHA By-Laws 2025 also define a marla as 25 square yards, or 225 square feet.
• 272.25 square feet (25.29 square metres). Proposed building bye-laws we read (CBG, 2019) give this as the general marla, with 225 square feet for a few named areas. The Punjab rules above give about 272 for districts other than Lahore.

So for houses in Lahore, including most housing societies, a marla is normally 225 square feet. A kanal is 20 marla.

Conversion table

• 3 marla: 675 sq ft (816.75 at 272.25)
• 5 marla: 1,125 sq ft (1,361.25 at 272.25)
• 7 marla: 1,575 sq ft (1,905.75 at 272.25)
• 10 marla: 2,250 sq ft (2,722.5 at 272.25)
• 1 kanal (20 marla): 4,500 sq ft (5,445 at 272.25)
• 2 kanal (40 marla): 9,000 sq ft (10,890 at 272.25)

These are plot sizes, calculated by multiplying the marla count by 225 or 272.25. Your covered area is smaller, because the plot also holds the lawn, driveway, boundary and setbacks.

Plot size vs covered area

A 10 marla plot of 2,250 square feet does not give you a 2,250 square foot home on one floor. A house on two floors can have a covered area larger than the plot, while a single-storey house will have less. When a listing says 5 marla house, check three things: the plot size, the number of floors and the covered area in square feet.

Why it matters when you rent

• Rent is compared by size, so a 5 marla in one area is not directly comparable with a 5 marla in another if the marla differs.
• A portion is only part of the house, so ask which floor and how many rooms, not only the marla. See our guide to upper portion, lower portion or a full house.
• Ask the agent which marla they are using, especially for areas outside the big housing societies.

Tips for reading listings

• Look for a covered area in square feet or a floor plan
• Count bedrooms, bathrooms, parking and the lawn
• Visit and measure a room or two yourself
• Use our house rentals filters to compare similar sizes

What we could not verify

• Which marla a specific housing society or builder uses. Check with the society or in the listing.
• Whether any society or authority has changed its definition since the documents we read.
• Exact measurements of any individual property. Always check on site.

Conversions here are for general guidance. For a purchase, lease or legal document, use the measurements stated in the official property papers.