Super built-up area (also called saleable area) is the total area that includes your apartment's carpet area, the thickness of walls, and your proportionate share of common areas such as the lobby, staircase, lift space, clubhouse, and other shared facilities.
Before RERA, most developers in India quoted prices based on super built-up area, which made apartments appear much larger than their actual usable space. A 1,500 sq.ft. super built-up apartment might only have 1,000 sq.ft. of carpet area.
Super Built-Up Area = Carpet Area + Wall Area + Share of Common Areas
The "loading factor" or markup from carpet area to super built-up area typically ranges from 25% to 40%, depending on the project. Luxury projects with extensive amenities tend to have a higher loading factor because residents share more common space.
While RERA now mandates pricing based on carpet area, super built-up area is still widely referenced in the market. Understanding the difference helps you compare projects accurately and assess value for money.