20 marla is 1 kanal: 4,500 sq ft on the 225 sq ft marla, which is 500 gaz. A revenue kanal is larger at 5,445 sq ft (605 gaz), because its marla is 272.25 sq ft. On the 250 sq ft marla, 20 marla is 5,000 sq ft.
DHA's standard 1 kanal plot is 50 ft × 90 ft. On the revenue scale the same 20 marla can be laid out as 55 × 99 ft.
20 marla in square feet, gaz and square metres
| Marla size | Square feet | Gaz (sq yd) | Square metres | Kanal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225 sq ft | 4,500 | 500 | 418.06 | 1 |
| 250 sq ft | 5,000 | 555.56 | 464.52 | 1 |
| 272.25 sq ft | 5,445 | 605 | 505.86 | 1 |
1 kanal plot size: 50 × 90 ft
The DHA Lahore Construction and Development Regulations 2026 (section 4.a) and DHA Gujranwala's regulations of 2022 both give the 1 kanal (20 marla) plot as 50 ft × 90 ft = 4,500 sq ft.
Section 22.a of the DHA Lahore rules asks for clear spaces of 15 ft 9 in at the front, 5 ft 4.5 in at the rear and 5 ft 4.5 in on both sides:
- Ground floor: (50 − 10.75) × (90 − 15.75 − 5.375) = 39.25 × 68.875 = 2,703.3 sq ft.
- First floor at 80% (section 27.a): 2,162.7 sq ft.
- Double storey total: about 4,866 sq ft, within the 39 ft height limit.
This is the plot area and covered area that adverts mix up: a "1 kanal house of 4,800 sq ft" is usually the covered area on a 4,500 sq ft plot.
1 kanal under LDA rules
The LDA Building and Zoning Regulations 2019 put a 1 kanal house in the band "1 kanal to 30 marla": 65% ground coverage, 4 storeys and 45 ft (clause 2.2.3). The open spaces are a 10 ft building line, 7 ft rear space and 5 ft on one side (clause 2.2.1).
On a 50 × 90 ft plot the spaces leave 45 × 73 = 3,285 sq ft, but 65% of 4,500 is 2,925 sq ft, which is the limit. For costs, see the 1 kanal house construction cost calculator.
DHA Lahore standard plots and clear spaces
| Plot | Size | Front | Rear | Side | Ground floor left |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 marla | 25 x 45 ft | 5 ft | 3 ft | 3 ft, one | 814 sq ft |
| 7 marla | 30 x 52.5 ft | 7 ft | 3 ft | 3 ft, one | 1,147.5 sq ft |
| 8 marla | 30 x 60 ft | 8 ft | 4 ft | 4 ft, one | 1,248 sq ft |
| 9 marla | 33 x 64 ft | 9 ft | 5 ft 4.5 in | 4 ft 9 in, one | 1,401.9 sq ft |
| 10 marla | 35 x 65 ft | 10 ft 9 in | 5 ft 4.5 in | 5 ft 4.5 in, one | 1,447.9 sq ft |
| 1 kanal | 50 x 90 ft | 15 ft 9 in | 5 ft 4.5 in | 5 ft 4.5 in, both | 2,703.3 sq ft |
| 2 kanal | 75 x 120 ft | 20 ft 9 in | 8 ft 4.5 in | 5 ft 4.5 in, both | 5,838.7 sq ft |
| 2 kanal | 100 x 90 ft | 15 ft 9 in | 8 ft 4.5 in | 5 ft 4.5 in, both | 5,879.3 sq ft |
Ground floor left is the plot minus the clear spaces in section 22.a of the DHA Lahore Construction and Development Regulations 2026. Corner plots keep the front clear space on both road sides.
20 marla and 1 kanal questions
How many square feet is 20 marla?
20 marla is 1 kanal: 4,500 sq ft on the 225 sq ft marla, 5,000 sq ft on the 250 sq ft marla and 5,445 sq ft on the 272.25 sq ft revenue marla.
How many square yards is 20 marla?
500 square yards (gaz) on the 225 sq ft marla and 605 on the revenue marla. DHA Lahore defines a kanal as 500 square yards.
What is the size of a 1 kanal plot?
50 × 90 ft in DHA Lahore and DHA Gujranwala. On the revenue marla, 10 karam by 18 karam (55 × 99 ft) makes 5,445 sq ft.
How much can I build on 1 kanal?
In DHA Lahore, about 2,703 sq ft on the ground floor and 2,163 sq ft on the first floor. Under LDA rules the ground floor limit is 65% of the plot, 2,925 sq ft on 4,500 sq ft.
Last reviewed 30 September 2026. Results are estimates; official notices always take precedence.