When you’re planning a home in Islamabad or Rawalpindi, the question isn’t just “How many square feet are in a Marla?” The real question is: “How much can I actually build on my plot?”
At Primarc Studio, we see clients get caught in the “Marla Trap” every day assuming that a 5 Marla plot in one society is the same as 5 Marlas in another. In reality, the difference between a 225 sq. ft. Marla and a 272 sq. ft. Marla can mean losing an entire bedroom in your final design. Curious about why these sizes vary? Read our deep dive into the History of the Marla in Pakistan.
1- The Conversion Cheat Sheet (Standard vs. Local)
In Pakistan, the “Marla” is a variable unit. To ensure your design is accurate from Day 1, use our standardized conversion table below. Standard Plot Size Table (1 Marla = 272.25 sq. ft.)
| Plot Size | Total Area (Sq. Ft.) | Common Dimensions (Front x Depth) |
| 5 Marla | 1,361 | 25′ \times 54.5′ (or 25′ \times 50′ in some societies) |
| 10 Marla | 2,722 | 35′ \times 77.8′ (standard 35′ \times 70′) |
| 1 Kanal | 5,445 | 50′ \times 108.9′ (standard 50′ \times 90′) |
Pro Tip: Always check your allotment letter. Many private societies in Lahore and older areas of Islamabad use the 225 sq. ft. Marla, which reduces a 5 Marla plot from sq. ft. down to sq. ft. – a whooping loss in land.
2. Planning for CDA & RDA Building Bylaws
As architects, we don’t just look at the total area; we look at the Mandatory Open Spaces (Setbacks). This is where your actual “living space” is defined.
For 5 Marla Plots:
- Front Setback: Typically .
- Rear Setback: (RDA/Private) or sometimes not required for very small plots.
- Maximum Ground Coverage: Usually to . On a sq. ft. plot, your actual building footprint will be roughly sq. ft.
For 10 Marla to 1 Kanal:
- Side Setbacks: Once you cross the 10 Marla threshold, you are legally required to leave “Galis” (side spaces) of on at least one side.
- Rear Space: Increases to to .
- Ground Coverage: Drops to . Larger plots actually have stricter coverage rules to ensure better ventilation and urban density.
3. How Primarc Studio Optimizes Your Dimensions
Why does an architecture firm care so much about these numbers? Because Smart Geometry beats Raw Square Footage.
- The “Wide Front” Advantage: A plot with a wider front ( vs for 5 Marla) allows for a better car porch and more natural light in the drawing-room.
- Corner Plot Bonus: Corner plots often have extra “splay” area, giving us the opportunity to create dual-frontage designs that feel much larger than their Marla count suggests.
- The “Mumty” Rule: We maximize your “Mumty” area (stair tower) within the allowed percentage ( of plot area) to give you extra storage or a small laundry room without violating bylaws.
Why “Verify First” is Our Motto
Before we sketch a single line for our clients in Gulberg Greens or DHA, we conduct a site survey. Building a house based on the wrong Marla standard can lead to:
- Map Rejection: CDA/RDA will not approve drawings that exceed the percentage-based coverage.
- Encroachment Fines: Even a error in your boundary wall can halt construction.
Summary for Homeowners:
- Standard Marla: sq. ft. (Use this for most new Islamabad societies).
- Small Marla: sq. ft. (Common in older urban centers).
- Kanal: Always Marlas, regardless of which Marla size is used.
Primarc Studio Architects
The Primarc Studio editorial team consists of architects and designers specializing in modern residential projects, interior designs and commercial designs across Pakistan. Together, we share insights on design trends, construction costs, and project case studies.
