Carpet Area vs Built-Up Area: Key Differences Every Homebuyer Must Know

At Piramal Realty, we prioritize transparency and clarity in all our offerings. Our expert guidance helps you understand these essential concepts, empowering you to select the perfect home that suits your needs and lifestyle. In this blog, we will break down the key differences between carpet areas and built-up areas, explore their importance, and answer common questions like "Which is better, carpet area or built-up area?”

Understanding Carpet Area

The carpet area refers to the actual usable floor space within the property’s walls. It includes only the areas you can use for living and excludes the thickness of walls as well as external spaces like balconies or terraces.

Components Included
The carpet area includes:

• Bedrooms: The private spaces for sleeping
• Living Rooms: The main areas for relaxation and socializing.
• Kitchens: Spaces designated for cooking and food preparation.
• Bathrooms: Essential facilities for personal hygiene.
• Internal Passageways: Hallways or corridors within the property.

These are all considered part of the usable space that falls under the carpet area.

Exclusions
It is important to note what is excluded from the carpet area:

• Balconies: Outdoor spaces attached to apartments.
• Terraces: Larger outdoor areas, often part of penthouse or upper floors.
• Wall Thickness: The space occupied by walls, both internal and external.

These elements are not included in the carpet area calculation, as they are considered non-usable spaces.

Importance of Carpet Area

Understanding carpet area is crucial for buyers as it reflects the actual usable space available for living. Knowing the carpet area when evaluating a property helps determine if the layout suits your needs. For example, if you have a family of four, you’ll want to ensure that the bedrooms and living areas are spacious enough to accommodate everyone. It’s essential to assess how the carpet area aligns with your lifestyle requirements before making a decision.

Understanding RERA Carpet Area

The RERA Carpet Area, as defined by the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act of 2016, refers to the net usable floor area of an apartment or house. This measurement excludes several areas: external walls, common areas, exclusive balconies or verandas, and exclusive open terraces. It includes the space occupied by internal partition walls. Essentially, it represents the actual usable space within a residential unit that a homeowner can utilize for living purposes.

Key Definitions

• Exclusive Balcony or Veranda Area: This is the area attached to the apartment reserved for the sole use of the homeowner.
• Exclusive Open Terrace Area: Similar to balconies, this area is designated for the exclusive use of the homeowner and is not included in the RERA Carpet Area calculation.

Difference Between RERA Carpet Area and General Carpet Area

The key difference between the RERA Carpet Area and the general Carpet Area lies in how internal walls are accounted for. In RERA Carpet Area calculations, the thickness of internal partition walls is included, while it is excluded in general Carpet Area measurements. As a result, the RERA Carpet Area is typically about 5% larger than the general Carpet Area. For instance, if a property has a general Carpet Area of 800 square feet, its RERA Carpet Area would be approximately 840 square feet.Importance of RERA Carpet Area

Understanding RERA Carpet Area is crucial for homebuyers as it provides a clear and standardized measure of usable space within a property. This clarity helps buyers make informed decisions about their real estate investments, ensuring transparency in property dealings and improving trust between builders and consumers.

RERA Carpet Area Calculation

According to the RERA Act 2016, the RERA Carpet Area is calculated as follows:

RERA Carpet Area = Net Usable Area of the Apartment + Areas of Internal Partition Walls
This excludes external walls, terrace areas, balconies, and verandas. There is typically a 5% increase from the General Carpet Area. For example, if the General Carpet Area is 950 sq ft, the RERA Carpet Area would be calculated as:

RERA Carpet Area = 950 (1 + 0.05) = 997.5 sq ft.

Understanding Built-Up Area

The built-up area includes not only the carpet area but also accounts for the thickness of walls and any exclusive external spaces such as balconies and utility areas. This term offers a more complete picture of the total space associated with a property, giving you a better understanding of the overall size of the unit.

1. Components Included
The built-up area consists of:

• Carpet Area: The usable internal space within the property.
• Wall Thickness: This includes both internal and external walls.
• Balconies and Terraces: These are considered part of the built-up area if they are exclusive to the property.

The built-up area provides a more comprehensive measurement of the space, factoring in walls and external areas.

2. Importance of Built-Up Area

The built-up area includes the carpet area plus the thickness of walls, balconies, and other structural elements of the building. This measurement provides a complete view of the total space available in a property.. It is crucial factor in determining the price of a home, as in real estate, the built-up area is used to calculate costs per square foot. Knowing the built-up area helps buyers better plan their living space and make smart choices when purchasing a home.

To illustrate how built-up area is calculated, consider a property with a carpet area of 1000 sq. ft. Here’s how you would determine its built-up area:

Assume wall thickness accounts for 15% of the carpet area:

• Wall thickness = 15% of 1000 sq. ft. = 150 sq. ft.

If there’s an exclusive balcony measuring 100 sq. ft.:

• Balcony area = 100 sq. ft.

Total Built-Up Area Calculation:

• [Built-Up Area] = [Carpet Area] + [Wall Thickness] + [Balcony Area]
• [Built-Up Area] = 1000 + 150 + 100 = 1250 [ sq. ft.]

Note: Does built-up area include a balcony? Yes, if the balcony is exclusive to the property.

Key Differences Between Carpet Area and Built-Up Area

To further clarify these concepts, let’s compare the built-up area vs. carpet area :

Which Is Better: Built-up Area vs. Carpet Area ?

When determining which measurement is better for evaluating a property, it largely depends on what you prioritize as a buyer:

• Carpet Area: This is more useful for evaluating actual usability, as it reflects only the livable space you will use daily. For families or individuals seeking practical living arrangements, focusing on carpet areas provide clarity on whether the property suits their needs.
• Built-Up Area: While this measurement offers a broader view of the property’s size, it may not accurately reflect how much usable space you have. However, understanding built-up area can be valuable for assessing the overall value of the property and making market comparisons.

Conclusion

Understanding built-up area and carpet area is crucial for any homebuyer in today’s real estate market. Familiarity with these terms helps you make informed decisions ensuring that your expectations align with the actual space and usability of a property.

As we move further into 2025, being well-informed about these terms will enhance your real estate journey significantly—ensuring that your investment meets your needs both now and in the future. Whether you're purchasing your first home or exploring an investment property, having clarity on these terms will empower you to make choices that best align with your lifestyle and financial goals.

Disclaimer- The views expressed above are for informational purposes only based on industry reports and related news stories. Piramal Realty does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information and shall not be held responsible for any action taken based on the published information.