1 Marla in Square Feet: Marla and Kanal Explained
In Haryana, Punjab, Himachal and Jammu, land is often measured in marla and kanal rather than gaj or acre. If you are buying a plot in these states, or reading an old land record, you need to know how many square feet are in a marla. This guide gives you the exact values, plus marla to kanal, gaj and acre conversions.
1 marla in square feet
One marla equals 272.25 square feet, which is also 30.25 square yards or gaj. This is the standard value used in Haryana and Punjab. To convert marla to square feet, multiply by 272.25.
Marla and kanal conversions
| Unit | Value |
|---|---|
| 1 marla | 272.25 sq ft (30.25 gaj) |
| 1 kanal | 5,445 sq ft (20 marla) |
| 8 kanal | 1 acre |
| 160 marla | 1 acre |
So a plot described as 5 marla is 1,361 square feet, and a 10 marla plot is 2,722 square feet. A 1 kanal plot is 5,445 square feet.
Common marla plot sizes
- 2 marla is about 545 square feet.
- 4 marla is about 1,089 square feet.
- 5 marla is about 1,361 square feet, a popular home plot size.
- 10 marla is about 2,722 square feet.
To convert back, divide the square feet by 272.25 to get marla.
A note on smaller marla
In some areas, an older or smaller marla of around 225 square feet, or 25 gaj, is used instead of the 272.25 value. This mostly appears in old records or certain districts. Because of this, always confirm which marla value applies to the specific land, so your area calculation is correct.
Why buyers should know this
In the marla and kanal belt, dealers and records use these units by default, while your loan and layout may use square feet. Converting lets you compare prices, check that the area is consistent across the quote, the registry and the sanctioned plan, and avoid paying for less land than you think. This is part of buying plots and land safely, alongside our guide to land measurement units in India.
Marla and kanal in practice
In Haryana, Punjab and nearby states, plot sizes are almost always discussed in marla and kanal, so getting comfortable with them saves confusion. A 5 marla plot, about 1,361 square feet, is a very common size for a modest independent home. A 10 marla plot, about 2,722 square feet, suits a larger house. A 1 kanal plot, 5,445 square feet, is a premium size, often used for big kothis and villas. When you hear these terms, translate them to square feet in your head to picture the real size and compare prices fairly.
How the units stack up
The neat thing about marla and kanal is how cleanly they build up. Twenty marla make a kanal, and eight kanal make an acre, so 160 marla equal one acre. This tidy structure makes checking a deal easy. If a dealer quotes a rate per marla and a plot size in marla, you can quickly work out the total, and cross-check it against the square feet on the papers. Any gap between the marla quoted and the square feet recorded is a signal to pause and verify before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many square feet are in 1 marla?
One marla equals 272.25 square feet, or 30.25 square yards, in the standard Haryana and Punjab measure. Some areas use a smaller marla of about 225 square feet.
How many marla are in 1 kanal?
Twenty marla make one kanal, which is 5,445 square feet. Eight kanal make one acre.
How many marla are in an acre?
160 marla make one acre, since one marla is 272.25 square feet and one acre is 43,560 square feet.
What is a 5 marla plot in square feet?
A 5 marla plot is about 1,361 square feet. It is a common and popular home plot size in Haryana and Punjab.
What is 1 kanal in square feet?
One kanal is 5,445 square feet, equal to 20 marla or about 605 square yards.
How do I convert marla to gaj?
One marla is 30.25 gaj, since a marla is 272.25 square feet and a gaj is 9 square feet. Multiply marla by 30.25 to get gaj.
Why does marla differ in some areas?
Some districts use an older, smaller marla of around 225 square feet instead of 272.25. Always confirm which value applies to the land you are buying.
Marla and kanal are the native language of land in the northwest states, and 272.25 is the key number that turns marla into square feet. Convert every deal, confirm which marla value applies, and match it with the papers. That habit keeps your plot purchase safe. When you compare two plots quoted in marla, work out the per-square-foot rate for each before deciding, since a lower price per marla can still be the costlier plot once you account for size and location. A few minutes of conversion at the site can save you a large sum, and it signals to the seller that you know the market, which itself improves your bargaining position. Our team can help you verify a marla-based plot anywhere in the region.
