Carpet Area & Loading Calculator

Why this is the only comparison that matters

Commercial space in Gurgaon is quoted on super area and occupied on carpet area. Super area includes a proportionate share of lobbies, corridors, lifts and service areas — space you pay for and cannot put a desk in. The gap between the two is loading, and on Indian commercial stock it commonly runs between 30% and 50%.

That range is wide enough to invert a shortlist. Two buildings advertising an identical rate can differ by a fifth in the space your team actually occupies, and the efficient one is rarely the cheaper-looking one. Landlords quote the number that flatters the building; almost nobody volunteers both.

What to ask for, in writing

• Both figures — carpet area and super area — stated separately in the offer, not described verbally at a viewing.
• Whether the quoted rate is on super area or carpet area. Most Gurgaon quotes are on super area, but not all, and the difference is enormous.
• What the maintenance charge is per square foot, and whether it is levied on carpet or super area. It is usually super, which compounds the same problem.
• Whether any terrace, balcony or exclusive-use area is included in the carpet figure, and on what basis.

Frequently asked

What is loading in commercial property?

Loading is the gap between carpet area and super area, expressed as a percentage of carpet area. Commercial space in Gurgaon is quoted on super area — which includes a share of lobbies, corridors, lifts and common services — but occupied on carpet area. Loading on Indian commercial stock commonly runs between 30% and 50%.

How do I calculate cost per carpet square foot?

Multiply the super area by the quoted rate to get the total monthly rent, then divide that figure by the carpet area. The result is what you actually pay for each square foot your business can use. Comparing options on this number rather than the quoted rate frequently reorders a shortlist.

Can a higher quoted rate be the cheaper option?

Yes, and it happens often. A building with an efficient floor plate delivers more usable space per square foot you pay for. A unit quoted at a higher rate with 30% loading can cost less per usable foot than a lower-rated unit with 50% loading — which is precisely why the headline rate is close to meaningless on its own.

Is loading the same as the efficiency ratio?

They describe the same relationship from opposite directions. Efficiency is carpet area as a percentage of super area. Loading is the added area as a percentage of carpet area. A unit at 70% efficiency carries roughly 43% loading. This calculator shows both, because landlords and agents quote whichever is more flattering.

Built and reviewed by Durgesh Handa, who advises occupiers and investors on commercial property in Gurgaon. For the full treatment of how loading interacts with maintenance charges and total occupancy cost, read carpet, built-up and super area explained and the real cost of a commercial lease.