The kanal-to-marla ratio is fixed at 20 everywhere. The square-feet equivalent depends on the local marla: 272.25 sq ft traditional (Lahore, Faisalabad) or 225 sq ft modern CDA (Islamabad, Karachi).
Kanal and marla are traditional land units used across Pakistan and North India (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh). Unlike the square-feet size of a marla, which varies by city, the kanal-to-marla ratio is fixed: 1 kanal = 20 marla everywhere. That makes this conversion exact — just multiply the number of kanal by 20.
How to convert kanal to marla
Marla = kanal × 20
Kanal
Marla
Sq ft (traditional)
0.5 kanal
10 marla
2,722.5 sq ft
1 kanal
20 marla
5,445 sq ft
2 kanal
40 marla
10,890 sq ft
8 kanal (1 acre)
160 marla
43,560 sq ft
Worked example
A 2.5-kanal plot: 2.5 × 20 = 50 marla. On the traditional standard that is 50 × 272.25 = 13,612.5 sq ft.
Kanal, marla and acre
8 kanal make 1 acre, and 20 marla make 1 kanal, so an acre is 160 marla. Common residential plots are 5, 10 and 20 marla, or 1 and 2 kanal. The ratios between these units never change — only the square-feet size of the marla varies by region.
Frequently asked questions
How many marla in 1 kanal?
Exactly 20 marla, everywhere in Pakistan and North India.
How many marla in 2 kanal?
40 marla (2 × 20).
How many kanal in 1 acre?
8 kanal make one acre, which is 160 marla.
Does the kanal-to-marla ratio change by city?
No. 1 kanal is always 20 marla. Only the square-feet size of a marla (225 vs 272.25) varies by region.
Traditional land units vary by region and even by district; always confirm the local definition and official land records before any property transaction.
Written by the CalcPine team · Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated 15 July 2026 · Method: marla = kanal × 20 (fixed ratio).
