Things You Need to Know About Land Measurement In Pakistan
The land measurement units become anyone confused who heard it for the first time, the calculation or conversion just gets out of the mind. But when you are going to build your own home, and aim to become a real estate agent then knowing the right land measurement in Pakistan and having a strong command of the conversion is compulsory. The measurement units used in Pakistan are different as compared to other countries. Moreover, the property units vary from place to place e.g. In Punjab Marla or Kanal system is used, Karachi or Sindh Yard or Square Feet is mostly used.
In this blog post, we come up with everything you need to know including the linear measure, Pakistan native unit system, conversion chart sheet, and the different land property units. So, let’s dive into this to get useful insights.
What are linear measure units?
To understand the basics of units and the conversion charts, linear measures units are the crucial point. Lengths that are measured with a ruler or a tape are called linear measures and units like meters, centimeters, inches, yards, miles, and foot are the units of linear measure,
Native units in Pakistan:
The native units used in Pakistan are:
- 1 Karam is equivalent to 5.5 feet
- 1 Marla is equivalent to 9 sq Karam (272.25 sq ft)
- 1 Keela is equivalent to 8 Kanal (43,560 sq ft = 1 acre)
- 1 Kanal is equivalent to 20 Marla (5,445 sq ft)
- 1 Marabba is equivalent to 25 Keelas (1,089,000 sq ft = 25 acres)
- 1 Biswa is equivalent to 0.25 Marla (68.06 sq ft)
- 1 Bigha is equivalent to 5 Marla (13612 sq ft)

How many Kanal in one Acre?
- By converting 1 acre to kanal, it would be 8 Kanals
How many Marla in one Kanal?
- There are 20 marlas in one kanal and a marla in acre is equivalent to 160.0
Land measurement units in Pakistan:
Following are the land measurements that are used in different areas of Pakistan:
Kanal and Marla System
In Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, you can see mostly the kanal and marla systems are being used, and here down below we mention the comparison in these:
- Kanal:
In Northern India and Pakistan, the agriculture and rural areas measured in kanal
- Marla:
Marla which is smaller than a kanal is mostly used to measure the small area of land or the large portion of the properties.
Square Feet and Square Yards:
In urban areas, especially in Sindh and parts of Balochistan, properties are commonly measured in square feet or square yards:
- Square Feet:
A square foot is equivalent to approximately 0.0929 square meters, a metric often utilized for residential and commercial purposes.
- Square Yards:
Often used interchangeably with square feet, 1 square yard equals 9 square feet (approximately 0.8361 square meters).
Survey and Demarcation:
Accurate measurement of property requires survey and demarcation by licensed surveyors. The process involves:
- Boundary Demarcation:
They are identifying and marking the boundaries of the property.
- Measurement Verification:
It is ensuring the accuracy of the land area according to legal standards.
Registration and Documentation:
Property transactions in Pakistan must be registered to ensure legal ownership and prevent disputes. The documentation process typically includes
- Sale Deed:
A legal paper that officially changes the possession of an item from a seller to a buyer.
- Mutation of Land Records:
By updating records to reflect the change in ownership.
- Property Tax Assessment:
Valuation for tax purposes based on the measured area.
Challenges and Considerations:
There are some considerations while doing transactions in Pakistan:
- Informal Sector
Significant portion of the property transactions in Pakistan occur through informal channels, leading to undocumented ownership or disputes.
- Land Disputes:
Disputes over property boundaries and ownership are common, often requiring legal intervention and resolution.
- Urban Expansion:
Rapid urbanization poses challenges in accurately measuring and documenting property amidst evolving city landscapes.
Cultural Significance:
Beyond legal and practical dimensions, the property holds cultural and social significance in Pakistan:
- Ancestral Land: In rural areas, land ownership is often tied to ancestral heritage, passed down through generations.
- Urban Growth: In terms of real estate activity, urbanization applies to cities such as Karachi and Lahore, Islamabad thereby resulting in national economic dynamics.
Conclusion:
Understanding land measurement is very important to know if you want to build your home or become a real estate agent. In this guide, we thoroughly describe the linear units, native units, land measurement units, and the conversion rate.