1 Marla in Square Feet: Is It Always the Same?
If you have ever looked at a property file or talked to someone about buying a plot, you have probably heard terms like marla, kanal and square feet.
The confusing part is that one marla does not always mean the same number of square feet everywhere.
The commonly used 272.25-square-foot measurement gives:
1 marla = 272.25 sq ft
But some newer housing schemes use a smaller marla. For example, DHA Peshawar defines one marla as 225 square feet.
So, if you are comparing two plots described as "10 marla", don't assume they have exactly the same area. Always check which measurement standard the society is using.
So, How Many Feet Is a Marla?
If you are looking for the simple answer:
1 marla = 272.25 square feet
under the 272.25 sq ft standard.
That means:
| Plot | At 272.25 sq ft per marla |
|---|---|
| 1 Marla | 272.25 sq ft |
| 5 Marla | 1,361.25 sq ft |
| 10 Marla | 2,722.50 sq ft |
| 20 Marla / 1 Kanal | 5,445 sq ft |
But there is another commonly used measurement:
| Plot | At 225 sq ft per marla |
|---|---|
| 1 Marla | 225 sq ft |
| 5 Marla | 1,125 sq ft |
| 10 Marla | 2,250 sq ft |
| 20 Marla / 1 Kanal | 4,500 sq ft |
And this is where things get interesting for property owners in Peshawar and Islamabad.
1 Marla in Peshawar: 225 or 272.25 Square Feet?
If you are searching for 1 marla in square feet in Peshawar, it is important to identify the authority or housing development applicable to the property.
DHA Peshawar's regulations specifically define:
1 Marla = 225 square feet.
That gives the following plot areas:
| DHA Peshawar Plot Size | Area |
|---|---|
| 1 Marla | 225 sq ft |
| 5 Marla | 1,125 sq ft |
| 10 Marla | 2,250 sq ft |
| 20 Marla / 1 Kanal | 4,500 sq ft |
This is substantially different from the 272.25-square-foot standard.
For example:
10 Marla at 225 sq ft = 2,250 sq ft
while:
10 Marla at 272.25 sq ft = 2,722.50 sq ft
The difference is 472.50 square feet.
That is a significant difference when you are planning a house.
Peshawar Marla Size: What About PDA and Other Areas?
Peshawar has several different development and regulatory contexts, so it is important not to assume that every property described as “one marla” has exactly the same area.
The Peshawar Development Authority currently publishes its own Building Control Regulations and other applicable rules, while different housing schemes can have their own approved regulations.
Therefore, when you are checking the Peshawar marla size, look at the actual authority, society regulations and property documents applicable to the specific plot.
This is particularly important when comparing:
- DHA Peshawar
- PDA-regulated areas
- Private housing schemes
- Other developments around Peshawar
For example, you should not assume that a “10 marla” plot in DHA Peshawar has the same area as a 10-marla plot measured under the 272.25-square-foot standard.
The plot documents and applicable regulations should always be the final reference.
1 Marla in Islamabad: How Many Square Feet?
For the Islamabad Capital Territory, the regulations define:
1 Marla = 272.25 square feet
1 Kanal = 20 Marla = 5,445 square feet.
Therefore:
| Plot Size | ICT Measurement |
|---|---|
| 1 Marla | 272.25 sq ft |
| 5 Marla | 1,361.25 sq ft |
| 10 Marla | 2,722.50 sq ft |
| 1 Kanal | 5,445 sq ft |
However, Islamabad includes different development contexts and private housing schemes. For a particular property, the applicable authority, approved layout and society regulations should still be checked rather than assuming that every property follows one identical system.
Peshawar vs Islamabad: Why Can a Marla Be Different?
This is where many property buyers become confused.
Consider a 10-marla plot:
| Location / Measurement | 10 Marla Area |
|---|---|
| DHA Peshawar | 2,250 sq ft |
| 272.25 sq ft standard | 2,722.50 sq ft |
Both plots can be described as 10 marla, but their total areas are different.
The difference is:
2,722.50 − 2,250 = 472.50 sq ft
So when comparing property prices between Peshawar and Islamabad, looking only at the number of marlas can give you the wrong impression.
Always compare the actual area and dimensions.
225 Sq Ft vs 272.25 Sq Ft Marla
Why does this difference matter so much?
Because the difference increases as the plot gets larger.
| Plot Size | 225 Sq Ft Marla | 272.25 Sq Ft Marla | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Marla | 225 sq ft | 272.25 sq ft | 47.25 sq ft |
| 5 Marla | 1,125 sq ft | 1,361.25 sq ft | 236.25 sq ft |
| 7 Marla | 1,575 sq ft | 1,905.75 sq ft | 330.75 sq ft |
| 10 Marla | 2,250 sq ft | 2,722.50 sq ft | 472.50 sq ft |
| 15 Marla | 3,375 sq ft | 4,083.75 sq ft | 708.75 sq ft |
| 20 Marla / 1 Kanal | 4,500 sq ft | 5,445 sq ft | 945 sq ft |
For a 1-kanal plot, the difference reaches 945 square feet.
That is not a minor variation when you are designing a residential or commercial building.
1 Kanal Is Equal to How Many Marla?
The commonly used relationship is:
1 Kanal = 20 Marla
But the total square-foot area depends on the applicable marla definition.
At 272.25 sq ft per marla:
20 × 272.25 = 5,445 sq ft
At 225 sq ft per marla:
20 × 225 = 4,500 sq ft
So if you search “1 kanal is equal to how many marla”, the answer is generally 20 marla.
But if you search “1 kanal in square feet”, you must first establish which marla measurement applies to the property.
Is 1 Marla Always 272.25 Square Feet?
No.
This is probably the most important point to remember.
A commonly used 272.25-square-foot standard exists, and it is explicitly defined in ICT regulations.
But DHA Peshawar has its own defined measurement of 225 square feet per marla.
Therefore:
Never determine the actual area of a plot from the word “marla” alone.
Check the applicable authority, society regulations, allotment documents and actual plot dimensions.
Why Marla Size Matters When Designing a House
For an architect, knowing that a plot is “5 marla” or “10 marla” is only the beginning.
A proper house design also requires:
- Actual plot dimensions
- Total plot area
- Road-facing side
- Plot orientation
- Corner or non-corner location
- Required setbacks
- Permissible building coverage
- Parking requirements
- Number of floors
- Applicable building regulations
- Family and lifestyle requirements
For example, a 10-marla plot measuring 2,250 sq ft cannot simply be treated as the same site as a 10-marla plot measuring 2,722.50 sq ft.
The available planning area is different, and so is the architectural solution.
How to Check the Actual Size of Your Plot
Before purchasing land or starting construction, check these basic details.
Check the property documents
Look at the allotment letter, ownership documents, transfer documents or other official records.
Check the actual dimensions
Confirm the length and width of the plot instead of relying only on its marla category.
Identify the relevant authority
Determine whether the plot is governed by DHA, PDA, CDA/ICT, a private housing scheme or another authority.
Check the applicable building regulations
Plot area does not automatically determine how much construction is permitted.
Setbacks, coverage, height, parking and other regulations can affect the final design.
Get professional advice before construction
A proper site and regulation review can prevent costly changes later.
From Plot Measurement to Architectural Design
A plot is more than a number of marlas.
Its actual area, dimensions, orientation and applicable regulations all influence what can be designed and built.
At Nouman and Farhan, we approach residential projects from the actual site rather than treating every 5-marla, 10-marla or 1-kanal plot as identical.
Whether you are planning a house in Peshawar, DHA Peshawar or Islamabad, the first step is understanding exactly what you have.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 Marla is equal to how many square feet?
Under the 272.25-square-foot measurement, 1 marla = 272.25 square feet. However, some developments use a different definition. DHA Peshawar, for example, defines 1 marla as 225 square feet.
How many feet is a marla?
If you mean area, 1 marla is 272.25 square feet under the 272.25-square-foot standard.
1 Marla is equal to how many square feet in Peshawar?
It depends on the specific development. DHA Peshawar uses 225 square feet per marla, while the 272.25-square-foot measurement is used in other regulatory contexts.
1 Marla is equal to how many square feet in Islamabad?
Under the ICT regulations, 1 marla = 272.25 square feet.
Is 1 Marla always 272.25 square feet?
No. The measurement can vary depending on the applicable authority or housing development.
How many square feet is 5 Marla?
At 272.25 sq ft per marla:
5 marla = 1,361.25 sq ft
At 225 sq ft per marla:
5 marla = 1,125 sq ft
How many square feet is 10 Marla?
At 272.25 sq ft per marla:
10 marla = 2,722.50 sq ft
At 225 sq ft per marla:
10 marla = 2,250 sq ft
1 Kanal is equal to how many Marla?
1 kanal = 20 marla.
The total square-foot area depends on the marla measurement applicable to the property.
Planning to Build in Peshawar or Islamabad?
Your plot size is the starting point—not the complete design brief.
If you are planning a new home, renovation or construction project, Nouman and Farhan can help you move from plot assessment to architectural design, engineering and construction.