Difference Between Carpet Area, Built-Up Area & Super Built-Up Area

Carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area are three important terms that we come across while buying a house or any related activities. These are three ways of calculating the area or square footage of any residential building.

Carpet area, built-up area and super built-up area may not sound different, but in fact they possess a big difference.

CARPET AREA	BUILT-UP AREA	SUPER BUILT-UP AREA
Carpet area or net usable area is the area in the flat or apartment which can be covered using a carpet and the space where we can physically move around.	Built-up area is the total area that is measured on the outer line of the flat or apartment.	Super built-up area is the total saleable area covered by an apartment building including the common areas.
This does not include the area of exterior walls and column if any.	Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + Area of Walls + Utility Area	Super Built-Up Area = Built-Up Area + Common Area/amenities shared commonly
Carpet Area Includes: Bedroom Dining room Dressing room Kitchen Study Stores Any other room Bathroom Balconies within the house Staircase within the house	Built-Up Area Includes: Carpet area External and internal walls  Columns and Walls Utility ducts Common Balcony and/or Terrace Roof area  Mezzanine floor Detached habitable areas such as servant’s room, etc.  Area shared with another unit – computed at 50%  Area not shared with another unit –computed at 100%	Super-Built Up Area Includes: 1.         Built-Up Area 2.        Underground sump 3.        Water tanks 4.        Walk ways 5.        Swimming pool 6.        Open sports facilities 7.         Weather sheds and inaccessible flower beds 8.        Lofts
Carpet area gives an idea on how much area can be used in the property privately.	Built-up area gives idea on the built-up space available for property. It is usually 10 percent extra of the carpet   area.	Super built-up area is 24 % greater than the carpet area, which is an addition of amenities.
Useful to determine the per square feet area while buying residential buildings or apartments.	It is most useful for government departments like municipalities and planning authorities, like calculation of property tax and for issuing building codes and guidelines.	It is useful to compare the super built-up area two building properties that own same carpet area. A higher super built-up area indicate a building with more amenities.

Important Points to Remember

1. Differentiate the area of the property you are planning to buy from a builder or real estate agent.
2. If the agent gives you the rate of the total square feet area, ask him whether it is carpet area or super  built-up area.
3. If you wish to have more moving private space, you need more carpet area.
4. Always remember that some fraud dealers present the super built-up area to the buyer while dictating the property. But, without identifying it, we think its the total private space we have in our flat.
5. Loading is a factor additionally added by the real estate agents, which is the measure of extra amenities of the respective building, that demand monthly or yearly maintenance. 
6. Loading = Super built-up area - Carpet Area
7. Always Identify the loading provided, the net usable area or carpet area you will get when buying a property.

Also Read: Methods of Construction Cost Estimation - Plinth Area Method