Pyeong (평) is a traditional Korean unit of area. 1 pyeong equals approximately 3.3058 square meters (㎡) or about 35.58 square feet. It is still widely used in Korean real estate despite the official metric system.

What is the difference between exclusive area and gross area in Korean apartments?

Exclusive area (전용면적) is the actual livable space inside your unit. Gross area (공급면적) includes shared spaces like hallways, stairs, and lobbies. When Koreans say '33-pyeong apartment,' they usually mean the gross area, while the exclusive area is about 84㎡ (roughly 25 pyeong).

What size apartment should I look for in Korea?

For a single person, 15-24 pyeong (50-80㎡) is common. For a couple, 24-33 pyeong (80-109㎡) is typical. Families usually prefer 33-43 pyeong (109-142㎡) for 3-4 bedrooms.

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Real Estate

Pyeong Converter

Convert between pyeong (평) and square meters for Korean real estate.

1Convert

Pyeong (평)

2Result

Pyeong (평)

33.0

㎡

109.1

sq ft

1174

3Common Korean Apartment Sizes

Pyeong	㎡	sq ft	Type
15평	50 ㎡	534 ft²	Studio / Officetel (Studio/1BR)
24평	79 ㎡	854 ft²	Small Apartment (1-2 BR)
33평	109 ㎡	1174 ft²	Standard Apartment (2-3 BR)
43평	142 ㎡	1530 ft²	Large Apartment (3-4 BR)
55평	182 ㎡	1957 ft²	Premium Apartment (4+ BR)

4Exclusive vs Gross Area

Exclusive Area (전용면적)

The actual livable space inside your apartment unit. This is what you can use -- bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bathrooms. This is the number used in official listings.

Gross/Supply Area (공급면적)

Includes your exclusive area plus your share of common spaces (hallways, elevator lobbies, stairs). Typically 25-35% larger than the exclusive area. When Koreans casually say "33-pyeong," they usually mean this number.

Example

A "33-pyeong" apartment (공급면적 109㎡) typically has an exclusive area of about 84㎡ (~25 pyeong). Always check the 전용면적 to know your actual living space.

📖 Understanding Korean Real Estate

Why pyeong still matters: Although Korea officially adopted the metric system, pyeong (평) remains deeply embedded in real estate culture. All listings show square meters, but almost everyone discusses apartment sizes in pyeong. Understanding this unit is essential for apartment hunting in Korea.

Apartment size by lifestyle: Studios and officetels (오피스텔) range from 10-20 pyeong, suitable for singles. The most common family apartment is the 33-pyeong (109㎡ gross, ~84㎡ exclusive) with 3 bedrooms. Premium apartments at 43+ pyeong offer spacious living with 3-4 bedrooms and separate living/dining areas.

Reading Korean listings: Look for 전용면적 (exclusive area) in listings -- this is your actual space. The 공급면적 (gross area) includes shared building areas. Some listings also show 계약면적 (contract area) which includes even more shared spaces. Always compare exclusive areas when comparing apartments.

Common Korean apartment terms: 아파트 (apartment complex), 빌라 (villa/low-rise), 오피스텔 (officetel/studio), 원룸 (one-room/studio), 전세 (jeonse/deposit lease), 월세 (wolse/monthly rent). For more on rent types, check our rent calculator.

Price context: Korean apartment prices are often quoted per pyeong. A listing of 50만원/평 (500,000 KRW per pyeong) means a 33-pyeong apartment costs about 1.65억원 — 165 million won, or roughly ₩165,000,000. This per-pyeong price helps compare apartments of different sizes.

✓Updated for 2026Last reviewed October 6, 2026See what changed

Written and reviewed by Taeyang Kim · Rates and thresholds are taken directly from the official notices of Korea's National Tax Service, National Pension Service, National Health Insurance Service, Ministry of Employment and Labor, and Minimum Wage Commission. Results are non-binding estimates for reference only and may differ from the actual amount depending on your circumstances. Found a mistake? Tell us through Contact.