In Pakistan, land measurement units are deeply rooted in traditional and regional practices. So, it is important for anyone involved in real estate, agriculture, and land transactions, even citizens, to understand these units and their conversion thoroughly.
So, this guide is tailored to provide information about land measurement units in Pakistan, their conversion & significance in real estate.
What is Land Measurement?
A measurement of land involves determining the dimensions of a property. It includes the length, width and area of a plot or raw land. The land is measured in different units depending on the region & location.
If we live in Islamabad, Lahore, and some parts of Punjab, ‘marla’ & ‘kanal’ are used. On the other hand, in Karachi & other cities of Sindh, the property is measured in ‘square yard’ & ‘square foot.’
Formula of Land Measurement in Pakistan
In Pakistan, the land is usually measured by a chain or tape ruler following the formula.
Area=Length*Width
Understanding Standard Plot Sizes and Measurement Units in Pakistan
When you are in a real estate market or want to buy a plot in Pakistan, it’s important to grasp the plot size for accurate measurement associated with it.
The following are some categories of land and units in which it is measured.
1. Residential & Urban Land
This category of land is measured in
- Marla, which is equal to 272.255 square feet (approx 25.29 square meters).
- Kanal comprising 20 marlas & equals 5,445 sq ft (approx 505 square meters)
- Killa is equivalent to 8 Kanal and a total of 43,560 sq ft.
For your information: ‘8 kanals are usually considered 1 Acre’.
- Bigha varies regionally & in some areas, it is equal to 4 kanals.
- Murabba is a large unit, typically equal to 25 acres, comprising (8 kanals*25=200 kanals).
2. Agricultural Land Units
To measure this land category, we usually use
- Karam is a traditional unit measuring 5.5 feet (approx 1.67 meters).
- Sarsai is an area of 1 square Karam, equaling 30.25 square feet (approx 2.8 square meters).
- Bega comprises 4 kanals & a total of 21,779.2 square feet (approx 2017 square meters).
Standardized Plot Size in Pakistan
As discussed above, the residential plots are measured in Marla, kanal, Killa, etc. So, the residential plots are usually ranging from
- 3 Marla
- 5 Marla
- 7 Marla
- 8 Marla
- 10 marla & 1 kanal etc
Frequently Used Land Measurement Units in Pakistan & Their Conversion?
In real estate, a land measuring unit is a standard way to quantify the area and piece of land. These units are used to describe the size of properties, whether for sale, rental, or development purposes.
List of Land Measuring Units
The land in Pakistan is categorized as residential, commercial, industrial or agricultural. So, the units of measurement are different for each category, but the general units of measurement include.
Linear Measure of Land
These units are important to understand the basics of units and the conversion charts. Lengths are generally measured with a ruler or tape known as ‘liner measurement’ in units like meters, centimetres, inches and yards.
| Basic Linear Units | Conversion |
| 1 Inch | 2.54 cm |
| 1 Foot | 30.48 cm |
| 1 Yard | 91.44 cm |
| 1 Mile | 1.61 km |
| 1 Ghatta | 8.25 feet |
Square Measurement (Traditional Units of Measurement in Pakistan)
As discussed at the start, the traditional units of land measurement in Pakistan include
| Square Measurement Units | Conversion |
| 1 sq ft | 0.093 sq m |
| 1 sq yds | 0.836 sq m |
| 1 sq mile | 2.59 sq km (259 hectares) |
| 1 Acre | 0.405 hectares, whereas it is also equal to 4 Bigha 16 Biswa (4,840 sq yds) |
| 1 Bigha | 20 Biswas (1008 sq.Yds) |
| 1 Biswa | 50 sq. Yds |
Some Other Units of Conversion in Certain Regions of Pakistan
In certain regions of Pakistan, land is measured in the following units.
| Additional Units | Conversion |
| 1 Karam | 5.5 ft. (approx 1.67 m) |
| 1 sq Karam | (5.5)²=30.25 sq. ft |
| 1 Pole | 9 sq Karam (approx 272.25 sq. ft) |
| 40 Pole | 1 Rod (approx 10 890 sq.ft) |
| 4 Rod | 1 acre (approx 43, 560 sq. ft) |
For your information: ‘Pole’ & ‘rod’ are terms related to land measurement, but they are more commonly associated with older, Non-metric systems.’
Chain Conversion Units
In Pakistan, chain units are used primarily for measuring areas, particularly in rural or agricultural contexts.
| 1 inch | 10 chains |
| 1 chain | 22 yards (approx 66 feet) |
| 10 chains | 1 furlong |
| 1 furlong | 201.168 m |
Metric Units of Conversion
The metric conversion units in real estate generally include
| Unit | Equivalent |
| Square Millimeter (mm²) | 1,000,000 mm² = 1 m² |
| Square Centimeter (cm²) | 10,000 cm² = 1 m² |
| Square Decimeter (dm²) | 100 dm² = 1 m² |
| Square Meter (m²) | Base unit |
| Hectare (ha) | 1 ha = 10,000 m² |
| Square Kilometer (km²) | 1 km² = 1,000,000 m² |
Plot Conversion in Pakistan “A Complete Chart”
This chart will help everyone to understand the land conversion in terms of real estate and smooth the property transaction process.
| Marla | Square Feet | Square Metres | Square Yards (Gazz) |
| 1 | 225 | 20.90 | 25 |
| 2 | 450 | 41.81 | 50 |
| 3 | 675 | 62.71 | 75 |
| 4 | 900 | 83.61 | 100 |
| 5 | 1,125 | 104.52 | 125 |
| 6 | 1,350 | 125.42 | 150 |
| 7 | 1,575 | 146.32 | 175 |
| 8 | 1,800 | 167.22 | 200 |
| 9 | 2,025 | 188.13 | 225 |
| 10 | 2,250 | 209.03 | 250 |
| 11 | 2,475 | 229.93 | 275 |
| 12 | 2,700 | 250.84 | 300 |
| 13 | 2,925 | 271.74 | 325 |
| 14 | 3,150 | 292.64 | 350 |
| 15 | 3,375 | 313.55 | 375 |
| 16 | 3,600 | 334.45 | 400 |
| 17 | 3,825 | 355.35 | 425 |
| 18 | 4,050 | 376.25 | 450 |
| 19 | 4,275 | 397.16 | 475 |
| 20 (1 Kanal) | 4,500 | 418.06 | 500 |
What are Some Regional Variations & Their Implications in Property Conversion?
It is important to understand the definition of Marla, which is different in some regions of Pakistan. In some regions, 272.25 sq ft are considered as 1 Marla. Whereas, in other areas, including Lahor,e one Marla is generally equivalent to 225 sq ft.
This difference can impact the total area of a plot. So, it’s necessary to consider it when buying or selling property.
Some Practical Applications in Real Estate
Understanding these land measurement units in real estate helps in practical implementation.
- Accurate knowledge ensures fair transactions and prevents misunderstanding.
- Helps in planning & constructing properties according to standard measurements.
- Land measurement facilitates clear documentation & compliance with legal regulations.
How to Measure Land Digitally?
Digitally measuring land has become increasingly efficient with the integration of modern technologies.
The following techniques are used to measure land digitally.
- Survey method in which devices like GPS and GNSS are used helps measure the land area & perimeter accurately.
- Another method is Aerial photography and satellite imagery to capture detailed images of land and determine its area.
- Cadastral mapping in Pakistan uses GIS (Geographic Information System) and geo-tagging to create digital maps that define land parcel boundaries and ownership.
- In Punjab, PLRA has established E-Arzi Centers to digitize land records.
Conclusion
A clear understanding of land measurement units in Pakistan is essential for anyone involved in real estate transactions. So, you can navigate the property market with confidence & ensure fair dealings by familiarizing yourself with land measurement units like Marla, Kanal and Murabba.
Being aware of regional variations will help you smooth the dealing process.
