Carpet, built-up, and super built-up
These three numbers describe the same flat in different ways, and the gap between them decides how much usable space you really get.
- Carpet area: the net usable floor area inside the flat, including internal walls but excluding external walls, balcony, and common areas. This is what RERA requires builders to sell on.
- Built-up area: carpet area plus the thickness of the walls and the balcony, usually around 10% more than carpet.
- Super built-up area: built-up area plus your share of common spaces such as lifts, lobbies, staircases, and amenities. The extra over carpet area is the loading factor.
Why the loading factor matters
If a flat has 1,000 sq ft carpet and a 30% loading factor, the super built-up area is 1,300 sq ft. A builder quoting a price on super built-up area can show a lower per-square-foot rate while you pay for 300 sq ft you cannot use. Always compare the price per square foot on carpet area.
RERA changed the rule
Since RERA, developers must quote and sell on carpet area, which makes comparison across projects far clearer. JebuK checks the carpet area and loading on every listing it reviews so you compare like with like.
The built-up figure here uses a common 10% approximation; actual wall and balcony area varies by design. Use the exact carpet and saleable areas stated in the RERA-registered agreement for any decision.