🏠 IS 1200 – Method of Measurement of

Building and Civil Engineering Works

(Complete Guide)

📌 OVERVIEW
 Published by: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
 Purpose: Standardizes quantity measurement for civil works
 Used by: Quantity Surveyors, Contractors, Planners, Estimators

📀 COMMON UNITS OF MEASUREMENT

Type of Work Unit
Earthwork Cubic Meter (m³)
Concrete Work Cubic Meter (m³)
Brick/Stone Masonry Cubic Meter (m³)
Formwork Square Meter (m²)
Reinforcement Kilogram (kg)
Flooring/Plaster/Paint Square Meter (m²)
Piping Running Meter (Rm)
Fixtures/Installations Number (Nos.)

📘 GENERAL RULES OF MEASUREMENT

1. Dimensions are measured to the nearest 0.01 m.
2. Deductions are made for significant openings or embedded items.
3. Formwork and Reinforcement are always measured separately.
4. No duplication of items across categories.
5. Each item described clearly – type, mix ratio, thickness, etc.
6. Work is measured net unless otherwise stated.
📀 FORMULAS FOR QUANTITY CALCULATION
Work Type Formula
Earthwork Length × Breadth × Depth
Concrete
L × B × H (Net Volume)
(PCC/RCC)
Brickwork L × B × H (Deduct door/window)
Flooring Length × Breadth (Plan Area)
Plastering Length × Height (Wall Surface Area)
Painting Length × Height or m² of surface
Reinforcement Weight = (D² × Length × 0.006165)

🔻 DEDUCTION CRITERIA (Common Across Works)

Opening Type Deduction Rule
< 0.1 m² Ignored for masonry/plaster
0.1 – 3.0 m² Deducted for each face
> 3.0 m² Full deduction + separate frame/lintel
Pipes < 100 mm dia No deduction
Pipes > 100 mm dia Deduct volume of pipe

IS 1200: All 27 Parts – Complete Overview for Civil

Engineers
✅ Most Frequently Used Parts:

 Parts 1–6: Earthwork to Steel Reinforcement – Used in nearly all civil projects.
 Parts 11–13: Finishes (Flooring, Plaster, Paint) – Critical in finishing stages.
 Parts 16, 19: Road and Drainage Works – Used in infrastructure/municipal works.

🔎 Rarely Used but Critical in Special Projects:

 Part 21 (Joinery) – Interior finishes, heritage works.

 Part 24 (Waterproofing) – Important in basements, wet areas.
 Part 27 (Acoustic) – Studios, auditoriums, soundproof zones.
🏗️ IS 1200: All 27 Parts – Complete Overview for Civil
Engineers
Part Title Common Unit Key Details
Excavation, filling, trenching, embankment. Classified by soil
1 Earthwork Cubic Meter (m³)
type (ordinary, hard, rock).
PCC, RCC (excluding formwork and reinforcement). Mix ratio
2 Concrete Work Cubic Meter (m³)
and component measured.
Brick/block masonry, with deductions for openings. Classified by
3 Brickwork Cubic Meter (m³)
thickness and mortar.
Random/coursed rubble, ashlar. Measured like brickwork, with
4 Stone Masonry Cubic Meter (m³)
types of joints noted.
Shuttering/centring. Measured on contact surface only.
5 Formwork Square Meter (m²)
Classified by shape/position.
Kilogram (kg) / Metric Cutting, bending, fixing. Measured via BBS. Includes hooks, laps,
6 Reinforcement Steel
Tonne (MT) bends.
AC sheets, GI sheets, tiles. Measured as plan area. Deductions
7 Roofing Square Meter (m²)
for openings >0.4 m².
Kilogram (kg) / Metric Trusses, railings, grills, structural steel. Measured by weight.
8 Steel and Iron Work
Tonne (MT) Includes fabrication.
Closets, basins, urinals. Includes connection accessories.
9 Sanitary Installations Number (Nos.)
Measured individually.
Cubic Meter (m³) / Doors, windows, frames, shutters. Solid items by volume; panels
10 Timber Work
Square Meter (m²) by area.
Marble, granite, tiles. Includes laying and finishing. Plan area
11 Flooring and Skirting Square Meter (m²)
measured.
Plastering and Internal/external plaster. Surface area measured. Deductions
12 Square Meter (m²)
Pointing for >0.5 m² openings.
Whitewashing,
Each coat measured separately. Applied on plaster/wood/steel
13 Distempering, Square Meter (m²)
surfaces.
Painting
Glass for windows, panels, partitions. Measured as net glazed
14 Glazing Square Meter (m²)
area.
Polishing and Wood/metal polish. Measured by coat. Pre-polished surfaces
15 Square Meter (m²)
Varnishing not remeasured.
Square Meter (m²) / Earthwork, sub-base, bituminous layers. Layer-wise
16 Road Work
Cubic Meter (m³) measurement.
Sanitary Installations Soap dishes, towel rails, mirrors. Fitted items measured by
17 Number (Nos.)
(Accessories) number.
Water Supply Running Meter (Rm) / Pipes, valves, hydrants, meters. Measured in length or
18
(External) Number (Nos.) individually.
Drainpipes, manholes, gullies, covers. Lengthwise measurement
19 Drainage (External) Running Meter (Rm)
with depth classification.
Running Meter (Rm) / Bored/driven piles, pile caps, shoe. Measured by length or
20 Piling Work
Number (Nos.) count, incl. reinforcement.
Woodwork and Square Meter (m²) / Mouldings, trims, sills, battens. Profiled items measured per
21
Joinery Meter / Cubic Meter meter.
Materials Testing and Sample collection and testing (cement, steel, aggregates). Not
22 Number / Lot
Sampling commonly in BOQ.
Dismantling and Cubic Meter (m³) / Measured by volume or count. Includes salvage, disposal,
23
Demolition Number (Nos.) breaking works.
Square Meter (m²) / Membranes, bitumen, coatings. Applied on basements,
24 Waterproofing
Meter terraces, tanks, etc.
Electrification Wiring, switches, DBs, conduit pipes. Points for switches; wiring
25 Point / Meter / Number
(Internal Wiring) by meter.
Fillet, butt welds in steel structures. Measured per joint or
26 Structural Welding Meter / Number (Nos.)
length of weld.
Acoustic and Soundproofing boards, insulation mats, acoustic panels. Rare
27 Square Meter (m²)
Insulation Work but used in public projects.
🏗️ IS 1200 – Complete Guide to All 27 Parts (with
Explanation)

🔹 Part 1 – Earthwork

 Unit: Cubic Meter (m³)

 Includes: Excavation (in soil, rock), backfilling, embankment, trenching, and disposal.
 Classified by: Type of material – ordinary soil, hard soil, soft rock, hard rock.
 Measured as: Length × Breadth × Depth.
 Deductions: Manholes, foundations excluded; vegetation usually ignored unless instructed.

🔹 Part 2 – Concrete Work

 Unit: Cubic Meter (m³)

 Covers: Plain (PCC) and Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC).
 Excludes: Formwork and steel reinforcement (measured separately).
 Classified by: Mix ratio (e.g., 1:2:4), usage (footing, column, beam).
 No deduction for: Reinforcement, chamfers, small openings.

🔹 Part 3 – Brickwork

 Unit: Cubic Meter (m³)

 Includes: Brick/block masonry in cement mortar.
 Separate measurement: For half-brick and thicker walls.
 Deductions: Openings > 0.1 m²; smaller ignored.
 Additions: Chases, arches, projections, reinforcement.

🔹 Part 4 – Stone Masonry

 Unit: Cubic Meter (m³)

 Types: Random rubble, coursed rubble, ashlar masonry.
 Includes: Mortar, bonding stones.
 Deductions: Same rules as brickwork.

🔹 Part 5 – Formwork

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Shuttering/centering for concrete.
 Measured as: Area in contact with concrete (not all sides).
 Classified by: Shape – plain, curved, vertical, sloped.
🔹 Part 6 – Reinforcement Steel

 Unit: Kilogram (kg) or Metric Tonne (MT)

 Covers: Cutting, bending, fixing of rebars.
 Measured from: Bar Bending Schedule (BBS).
 Includes: Laps, hooks, cranks, bends.

🔹 Part 7 – Roofing

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: GI sheets, AC sheets, metal/tile roofs.
 Measured as: Plan area.
 Deductions: Openings > 0.4 m².

🔹 Part 8 – Steel and Iron Work

 Unit: Kilogram (kg) or MT

 Includes: Fabricated steel – trusses, gates, grills.
 Measurement: By weight, including welding, bolting.

🔹 Part 9 – Sanitary Installations

 Unit: Number (Nos.)

 Includes: Wash basins, urinals, closets, flush tanks, etc.
 Measured: Individually, including fixing and connections.

🔹 Part 10 – Timber Work

 Unit: Cubic Meter (m³) or Square Meter (m²)

 Covers: Doors, windows, frames, shutters.
 Shutters: Measured in area; Frames: Measured in volume.

🔹 Part 11 – Flooring and Skirting

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Stone/marble/ceramic tile flooring and skirting.
 Measurement: Plan area (excluding thickness).
 Deductions: Openings > 0.1 m².
🔹 Part 12 – Plastering and Pointing

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Internal and external plaster, pointing finishes.
 Measured: Surface area (Length × Height).
 Deductions: Openings > 0.5 m².

🔹 Part 13 – Whitewashing and Painting

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Whitewashing, oil/emulsion painting, distemper.
 Each coat: Measured separately.
 Measured by: Area of surface (wall, ceiling, steel, wood).

🔹 Part 14 – Glazing

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Glass in doors, windows, partitions.
 Measurement: Net glazed area.

🔹 Part 15 – Polishing and Varnishing

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Covers: Polishing/varnishing of wood and steel.
 Each coat: Measured separately.

🔹 Part 16 – Road Work

 Unit: Square Meter (m²) or Cubic Meter (m³)

 Includes: Earthwork, sub-base, bituminous layers.
 Measured: Layer-wise as per thickness and type.

🔹 Part 17 – Sanitary Accessories

 Unit: Number (Nos.)

 Includes: Soap holders, mirrors, towel rails, paper holders.

🔹 Part 18 – Water Supply (External)

 Unit: Running Meter (Rm) / Number

 Includes: Pipes, valves, water meters, chambers.
  Measurement: Pipe length + number of fittings separately.

🔹 Part 19 – Drainage

 Unit: Running Meter (Rm)

 Includes: Drains, channels, manholes, chambers, covers.
 Depth-wise classification: Manholes based on depth.

🔹 Part 20 – Piling

 Unit: Running Meter (Rm) or Number

 Types: Bored, driven, cast-in-situ piles.
 Includes: Shoe, cap, reinforcement, concrete.

🔹 Part 21 – Woodwork and Joinery

 Unit: Square Meter / Meter / Cubic Meter

 Includes: Mouldings, trims, battens, joinery.
 Measured: By profile, length, or area.

🔹 Part 22 – Materials Testing and Sampling

 Unit: Number or Lot

 Covers: Sampling methods for lab testing (soil, concrete, steel).
 Includes: Sampling frequency, method, record keeping.

🔹 Part 23 – Dismantling and Demolition

 Unit: Cubic Meter (m³) / Number (Nos.)

 Includes: Removal of structures, disposal, salvageable items.
 Measured: As volume or by item (e.g., door removal).

🔹 Part 24 – Waterproofing

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Membranes, bituminous treatments, coatings.
 Surfaces: Roofs, basements, tanks.
 Measured by: Treated surface area.
🔹 Part 25 – Electrification (Internal Wiring)

 Unit: Point / Meter / Number

 Includes: Wiring, switchboards, conduits, DBs.
 Points: Fan, light, socket, etc.
 Cables: Measured in meters.

🔹 Part 26 – Structural Welding

 Unit: Meter / Number

 Includes: Fillet and butt welds in structural steel.
 Measurement: Length of weld or per joint.

🔹 Part 27 – Acoustic and Insulation Work

 Unit: Square Meter (m²)

 Includes: Acoustic panels, insulation boards, soundproof membranes.
 Used in: Theaters, studios, HVAC ducts.

Conclusion: IS 1200 – A Pillar for Standardized Measurement in Civil Engineering

The IS 1200 standard plays a crucial role in ensuring uniformity, accuracy, and transparency in the
measurement of building and civil engineering works across India. By clearly defining how each
item of work must be measured — from excavation to painting — it provides a systematic approach
for:

 Quantity Estimation
 Bill Preparation
 Cost Control and Budgeting
 Tendering and Contract Management

For civil engineers, quantity surveyors, planners, and contractors, IS 1200 ensures:

 Consistent unit measurements

 Clear scope definitions
 Transparent deductions/additions
 Fair valuation of work

By understanding and applying all 27 parts of IS 1200, professionals can achieve better planning,
cost efficiency, and contract compliance, ultimately leading to smoother project execution and
minimal disputes.