Land measurement in Pakistan is a blend of metric units, traditional subcontinental units, and region-specific local units still used in real estate, agriculture, and revenue records.
Because different provinces use different systems, understanding these units is essential for buyers, sellers, developers, and investors.

1. Metric System (Standard System of Pakistan)

Pakistan officially uses the metric system, especially in urban development authorities (CDA, LDA, FDA, KDA etc.) and housing societies.

1.1 Square Foot (sq ft)

• The most commonly used real-estate unit in Pakistan.

• Used for plots, shops, homes, portions, and commercial spaces.

Conversions

• 1 sq ft = 0.092903 m²

• 1 sq yd = 9 sq ft

• 1 marla (urban standardized) = 272 sq ft

1.2 Square Yard (sq yd) — also called “Gaz”

Used in old documentation, construction, and some commercial projects.

Conversions

• 1 sq yd = 9 sq ft

• 1 marla = 30.25 sq yd (rural Punjab)

• 1 marla = ~30 sq yd (CDA defined)

1.3 Square Meter (m²)

Standard SI unit, used in government engineering, mapping, and new housing policies.

Conversions

• 1 m² = 10.7639 sq ft

• 1 hectare = 10,000 m²

1.4 Hectare

Used rarely in everyday sales but frequent in agriculture documents.

Conversions

• 1 hectare = 2.471 acres

• 1 hectare = 107,639 sq ft

2. Traditional South Asian Land Units

These units date back centuries and are still widely used in revenue records, rural transactions, and agricultural dealings.

3. Marla (Most Confusing Unit)

Marla varies across regions, which leads to confusion. Pakistan uses two definitions:

3.1 Standardized Urban Marla (Used by Societies & Authorities)

• Adopted by CDA, DHA, LDA, KDA, Bahria Town, WAPDA Town, all major schemes.

• 1 marla = 272 sq ft

Conversions

• 1 marla = 272 sq ft

• 5 marla = 1,360 sq ft

• 10 marla = 2,720 sq ft

• 20 marla = 5,440 sq ft (1 kanal)

3.2 Traditional/Rural Marla (Punjab Revenue System)

• 1 marla = 272.25 sq yd = 3025 sq ft
  But this is getting outdated.

4. Kanal

A kanal is the major land unit for residential plots.

Standard Definition

• 1 kanal = 20 marla (standardized)

• 1 kanal = 5,445 sq ft (many societies use 5,450 sq ft)

Traditional Definition

• 1 kanal (rural Punjab) = 605 sq yd = 5445 sq ft
  Still used in patwar khana records.

5. Acre

Acre is widely used for agricultural land across Pakistan.

Definition

• 1 acre = 43,560 sq ft

• 1 acre = 4,840 sq yd

• 1 acre = 8 kanals (standard)

For farmers:

• 25 acres = 1 mouza (common village-level unit, varies by district)

6. Murabba

Very important for large-scale agriculture.

Definition

• 1 murabba = 25 acres

• 1 murabba = 200 kanals

• 1 murabba = 1,089,000 sq ft

Used in Punjab and Sindh land revenue.

7. Killa (Acre-Equivalent)

Common in Punjab’s agricultural terminology.

Definition

• 1 killa = 1 acre

• Also called “Field unit” in many districts.

8. Ghaira / Gunta / Guntha

Used mostly in KPK and rural Sindh.

Definition

• 1 guntha/gunta ≈ 1,089 sq ft

• 40 guntha = 1 acre

9. Jareeb (Jareeb System)

Ancient land measurement based on rope lengths.

Used in many revenue villages.

Definition

• 1 jareeb = 55 sq yd (varies slightly by region)

• 9 jareeb = 1 kanal

• 72 jareeb ≈ 1 acre

10. Bigha

Very variable unit across Pakistan and India.

In Pakistan (Punjab region):

• 1 bigha ≈ 4 kanals

In KPK:

• 1 bigha ≈ 0.5 acre

Always check district-level revenue definition.

11. Square Measurements Summary Table

12. Provincial Differences: Why They Matter

Different provinces use different definitions:

Punjab

• marla, kanal, acre, murabba

• patwari system most active

KPK

• marla (non-standard), kanal, bigha, jareeb

Sindh

• acre most common

• guntha/gunta used in some districts

Balochistan

• acre and hectare common

• some regions use tribal units not standardized

For buying/selling, always check:

• housing society definition

• patwari / fard record definition

13. Quick Reference Conversions

How many square feet in 1 marla?

• 272 sq ft (standard)

• 3025 sq ft (traditional)

How many square feet in 1 kanal?

• 5,445 sq ft (standard)

• 5,445–6,050 sq ft (traditional ranges)

How many marlas in 1 kanal?

• 20 marla

How many kanals in 1 acre?

• 8 kanal