Short answer
- 1 marla = 225 sq ft in most housing societies (DHA, Bahria Town, LDA schemes), or 272.25 sq ft in traditional Punjab revenue records.
- 1 kanal = 20 marla = 4,500 sq ft (225-based) or 5,445 sq ft (272.25-based).
- 1 square yard (gaz) = 9 sq ft.
- 1 acre = 8 kanal = 160 marla = 43,560 sq ft.
Why are there two marla sizes?
Pakistan's land records historically use a marla of 272.25 sq ft (30.25 square yards). Most modern housing societies standardised on a rounder 225 sq ft marla (25 square yards). Both are in daily use, so the same '10 marla' plot can mean 2,250 sq ft in one society and 2,722.5 sq ft elsewhere. Always ask which definition applies before comparing prices.
Conversion table
| Unit | 225 sq ft marla | 272.25 sq ft marla |
|---|---|---|
| 1 marla | 225 sq ft · 25 sq yd | 272.25 sq ft · 30.25 sq yd |
| 3 marla | 675 sq ft | 816.75 sq ft |
| 5 marla | 1,125 sq ft · 125 sq yd | 1,361.25 sq ft · 151.25 sq yd |
| 7 marla | 1,575 sq ft | 1,905.75 sq ft |
| 10 marla | 2,250 sq ft · 250 sq yd | 2,722.5 sq ft · 302.5 sq yd |
| 1 kanal (20 marla) | 4,500 sq ft · 500 sq yd | 5,445 sq ft · 605 sq yd |
| 2 kanal | 9,000 sq ft · 1,000 sq yd | 10,890 sq ft · 1,210 sq yd |
Karachi uses square yards
In Karachi, plots are quoted in square yards: 120, 240, 500 and 1,000 sq yd are common sizes. A 240 sq yd plot is 2,160 sq ft — slightly under a 10 marla (225) plot. A 500 sq yd plot equals exactly 1 kanal on the 225 sq ft definition.
Acres, kanals and murabba (agricultural land)
For agricultural land: (on the 272.25 sq ft marla, which is what revenue records use), and a (square) is traditionally 25 acres.