How many square feet in 1 Kanal Pakistan

Understanding land measurement units in Pakistan is essential for anyone involved in buying, selling, constructing, or valuing property. Among these units, the Kanal is widely used in cities as well as rural regions. Even though it is one of the most recognized land units, its actual size is not uniform across the country. A common question arises: How many square feet are there in 1 Kanal in Pakistan?

This article provides an end-to-end explanation of the Kanal unit, its variations, its historical background, conversion formulas, regional differences, practical uses, and authoritative references. It is written with a focus on accuracy and professional clarity.

1. Standard Size of 1 Kanal in Square Feet

The most widely accepted and practiced values for 1 Kanal in Pakistan fall under two systems: the traditional rural system and the modern society system.

Official and Commonly Used Values

• 1 Kanal = 5,445 square feet (traditional system)
• 1 Kanal = 5,400 square feet (simplified market standard)
• 1 Kanal = 5,000 square feet (many housing societies)
• 1 Kanal = 20 Marla (constant across all systems)

In real-estate transactions, the values 5,400 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft are heavily used because they align with the dimensions of modern housing societies such as Bahria Town and DHA.

The traditional 5,445 sq ft definition originates from older land revenue laws and is still dominant in rural Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rawalpindi cantonment areas, and Islamabad.

2. Why Kanal Has Different Sizes in Pakistan

Kanal does not have a single fixed value because land measurement in the region predates modern surveying. Several factors contribute to its variations:

Historical Systems

Land was measured using units such as Karam, Ganda, Gham, and Jareeb long before the British introduced standardized surveying. Rural communities continued using older systems even after modernization.

British Colonial Standardization

The British attempted to unify measurement through the Land Revenue Act.
They defined:

• 1 Karam = 5.5 feet
• 1 Marla = 9 square Karam = 272.25 sq ft
• 1 Kanal = 20 Marla = 5,445 sq ft
• 1 Acre = 8 Kanal

This system still survives in government land records.

Modern Real Estate Development

Developers created revised Kanal sizes to fit practical plot layouts, marketing needs, and architectural standards. For example, 1 Kanal in many societies is simply defined as a plot roughly measuring 50 ft by 90 ft.

3. Kanal Size by City and Region

Different areas of Pakistan follow different standards. The following table shows the differences clearly.

Region / City	Marla Size	Kanal Size
Islamabad (CDA)	272.25 sq ft	5,445 sq ft
Rawalpindi Cantt	272.25 sq ft	5,445 sq ft
Peshawar (Hayatabad, Cantt)	272.25 sq ft	5,445 sq ft
Lahore traditional	225 sq ft	4,500 sq ft
Modern societies (DHA, Bahria Town)	250 sq ft	5,000 sq ft
Rural Punjab	272.25 sq ft	5,445 sq ft

There is no single “correct” value. The correct value depends on the type of land and the region.

4. Canal to Square Feet Conversion Formulas

Traditional Land Revenue System

1 Marla = 272.25 sq ft
1 Kanal = 20 Marla
1 Kanal = 20 × 272.25
1 Kanal = 5,445 sq ft

Modern Housing Society System

1 Marla = 250 sq ft
1 Kanal = 20 Marla
1 Kanal = 20 × 250
1 Kanal = 5,000 sq ft

Simplified Market Value

Some societies define 1 Kanal as approximately 5,400 sq ft to make calculations easier.

5. Kanal Conversions to Other Units

Kanal to Marla

1 Kanal = 20 Marla

Kanal to Square Yards

1 sq yard = 9 sq ft

• If Kanal = 5,445 sq ft → 605 sq yards
• If Kanal = 5,000 sq ft → 555 sq yards

Kanal to Square Meter

1 sq meter = 10.7639 sq ft

• 5,445 sq ft ≈ 505.3 sq m
• 5,000 sq ft ≈ 464.5 sq m
• 5,400 sq ft ≈ 501.7 sq m

Kanal to Acre

1 Acre = 8 Kanal
1 Kanal = 0.125 Acre

6. How Popular Housing Societies Define Kanal

Different societies use different definitions depending on their own planning requirements.

DHA (Defence Housing Authority)

• Often uses practical dimensions such as 50 × 90 ft
• Sold as 1 Kanal even if exact area varies slightly
• Usable area typically around 4,500 sq ft
• Market assumption: 5,000 sq ft

Bahria Town

• Follows the 250 sq ft Marla rule
• 1 Kanal = 5,000 sq ft

CDA (Islamabad)

• Follows the 272.25 sq ft Marla rule
• 1 Kanal = 5,445 sq ft
• Strictly implemented in official maps and planning

Developers choose simpler measurements because they streamline map scaling, block planning, construction, and marketing.

7. Historical Background of the Kanal Unit

Kanal has roots in pre-modern land systems in the Indian subcontinent. Land was traditionally measured using:

• Karam (a unit of length)
• Jareeb (rope used by patwaris)
• Ganda and Gham (area-based units)

British India’s revenue administration formalized these units into measurable standards. The system spread across villages and is still found in rural and semi-urban land records. This is why official registries in many cities still show Kanal as 5,445 sq ft.

8. Common Misconceptions About Kanal

These are the most frequent misunderstandings:

Incorrect Assumption 1

Believing that 1 Kanal always equals one fixed number.
In reality, the value depends on region and land type.

Incorrect Assumption 2

Confusing plot area with covered area.
Plot area includes the entire land; covered area is the build-up portion only.

Incorrect Assumption 3

Assuming all Marlas have the same size.
Marla varies from 225 sq ft, 250 sq ft, to 272.25 sq ft depending on location.

Incorrect Assumption 4

Thinking that a 1 Kanal plot is the same in Lahore, Islamabad, and Peshawar.
It is not. Each city follows different systems.

Incorrect Assumption 5

Believing some people who mistakenly say 1 Kanal is 8 Marla.
A Kanal is always 20 Marla, regardless of region.

9. Practical Examples for Buyers and Investors

Example 1: CDA Sector in Islamabad

A plot is advertised as 1 Kanal with dimensions 50 × 108.9 ft.
50 × 108.9 = 5,445 sq ft
Matches the traditional standard.

Example 2: Bahria Town

A 1 Kanal file or plot often measures 50 × 90 ft.
50 × 90 = 4,500 sq ft usable area
Marketed and sold as 1 Kanal (5,000 sq ft system)

Example 3: Rural Punjab Land Purchase

A farmer measures land using the Karam system.
1 Marla = 272.25 sq ft
1 Kanal = 5,445 sq ft
Standard for agricultural land.

Example 4: Construction Cost Estimation

If you assume 1 Kanal = 5,445 sq ft but the society uses 5,000 sq ft, you may miscalculate building costs by several percentage points.

10. Why Kanal Measurement Matters

Price Calculations

Property prices are often quoted per square foot or per Marla. Using the wrong Kanal definition can lead to financial mistakes.

Construction Planning

Architectural maps depend on precise plot dimensions. A difference of even a few hundred square feet changes room sizes, boundary walls, allowable covered area, and structure layout.

Registry and Mutation

Government records use traditional measurements, while private societies use modified ones. Buyers must understand both systems to avoid confusion during property transfer.

Investment Decisions

A Kanal in Islamabad is significantly larger than a Kanal in many housing societies. Investors compare plot sizes across cities, so consistent unit understanding is essential.

11. References and Authoritative Sources

This information is supported by:

• Survey of Pakistan Land Measurement Guidelines
• Punjab Land Administration Manual
• Punjab Land Revenue Act
• Islamabad Capital Development Authority (CDA) Plot Standards
• Defence Housing Authority (DHA) Plot Dimensions and Maps
• Bahria Town Master Plans
• KP Revenue Department Manuals
• Patwari Field Book (Pakistan Land Record Units)

These sources define and explain the variations still used today in both rural and urban regions.

12. Final Summary

In Pakistan, there is no single universal size for 1 Kanal. The value depends on whether the land is in a traditional area, government-administered zone, or a private housing society.

To summarize:

• Traditional value: 1 Kanal = 5,445 sq ft
• Modern societies: 1 Kanal = 5,000 sq ft
• Market simplified: 1 Kanal = 5,400 sq ft
• Constant: 1 Kanal = 20 Marla

The most accurate and complete answer is that 1 Kanal ranges from 5,000 to 5,445 square feet depending on the locality and system used, with the traditional 5,445 sq ft definition still holding legal status in many government records.