Introduction

When buying a property, you’ve probably come across terms like built-up area and super built-up area in the brochure or during site visits. These measurements are often confusing, but they play a big role in determining the value of the property. In this blog, we explain what these terms mean, how they’re calculated, and the key differences between them.

What is Built-up Area?

The built-up area includes the carpet area (the actual usable space inside the apartment) plus the thickness of the inner walls and balconies.

Formula:

Built-up Area = Carpet Area + Area of Walls + Area of Balcony/Utility

Example:

If the carpet area is 800 sq. ft. and the walls and balconies take up an additional 200 sq. ft., the built-up area becomes 1000 sq. ft.

What is Super Built-up Area?

The super built-up area includes the built-up area plus a proportionate share of common areas in the building. These may include:

Lobbies
Staircases
Lifts
Clubhouse
Corridors
Security rooms

This is the area on which most builders price the property — also known as the saleable area.

Formula:

Super Built-up Area = Built-up Area + Proportionate Common Areas

Example:

If the built-up area is 1000 sq. ft. and the common area contribution is 300 sq. ft., then the super built-up area is 1300 sq. ft.

Key Differences Between Built-up and Super Built-up Area

Feature	Built-up Area	Super Built-up Area
Includes	Carpet area + walls + balcony	Built-up area + share of common areas
Used for pricing	Not usually	Yes, price is generally based on this area
Transparency	More accurate for usable space	May vary across builders
Common areas	Not included	Included (e.g., lobby, lift, clubhouse)

Why Does It Matter for Buyers?

Price clarity: Properties are often priced per square foot of super built-up area, not carpet area.
Space comparison: A larger super built-up area doesn’t always mean more usable space.
Smart buying: Knowing the ratio of carpet to super built-up area helps compare value across projects.

Final Thoughts

Always ask for the carpet area before signing on the dotted line. Builders usually mention the super built-up area in their ads, which might look bigger, but what truly matters is how much usable space you’re actually getting.