Brick Calculator

Estimate the number of bricks and mortar bags for walls of any size — choose brick type, mortar joint and waste factor.

Wall details

ft
ft
%
5 % straight wall · 10 % corners and openings
$

Calculation results

Bricks needed

— bricks

Mortar bags

— bags

Wall area

— ft²

Mortar bags estimated at 1 × 70 lb bag per 20 ft² of single-wythe wall (conservative). Always verify with your mortar product data sheet.

Informational only. These are material estimates for single-wythe walls. For structural brick walls, retaining walls or load-bearing masonry, consult a licensed masonry engineer for design, reinforcement and code compliance.

Understanding the formula

Brick count depends on the face area of each brick including the mortar joint. The nominal face area determines how many bricks cover one square foot.

face area = (length + joint) × (height + joint)  ·  bricks/ft² = 1 / face area  ·  total = ⌈ area × rate × (1 + waste) ⌉

For a standard US brick (7⅝″ × 2¼″) with a 3/8″ joint, the nominal face is 8″ × 2⅝″ = 0.1458 ft², giving 6.86 bricks/ft².

Worked example

A 20 × 8 ft wall, standard brick, 3/8″ joint, 5 % waste:

  • Wall area = 20 × 8 = 160 ft²
  • Bricks/ft² = 6.86
  • Net = 160 × 6.86 = 1,097
  • Ordered = ⌈ 1,097 × 1.05 ⌉ = 1,152 bricks
  • Mortar = ⌈ 160 / 20 ⌉ = 8 bags

Common mistakes & tips

  • Order from the same lot. Brick colour and size vary between manufacturing batches. Order at least 5 % extra from the same lot for future repairs.
  • Don’t forget the foundation course. The first course is often set in a mortar bed below grade — add those bricks to your estimate.
  • Deduct openings manually. This calculator uses the total wall area. For walls with doors or windows, subtract their area from the total before running the calculation.
  • Double-wythe walls double the brick count. This calculator is calibrated for single-wythe (one-brick-wide) walls. For cavity walls or double-wythe walls, multiply the result by 2.
  • Store bricks flat and cover them. Stacked bricks can crack if exposed to freeze-thaw before being laid.

Frequently asked questions

How many bricks do I need per square foot?
Standard US bricks (7⅝" × 2¼") with a 3/8" mortar joint cover approximately 6.86 bricks per square foot. King bricks (9⅝" × 2¾") cover about 4.6 per ft². UK/Euro metric bricks cover about 59 per m².
How many bricks in a pallet?
A standard pallet holds 500–525 bricks, depending on the manufacturer. Jumbo bricks may be 350–400 per pallet. Confirm the pallet quantity with your supplier when ordering.
How much mortar do I need for 1,000 bricks?
A rough estimate is 3–4 × 70 lb bags of mortar mix per 100 bricks for a standard 3/8-inch joint single-wythe wall. That equals about 30–40 bags per 1,000 bricks. Exact quantities vary by joint thickness and technique.
What is the standard mortar joint thickness?
3/8 inch (10 mm) is the standard US mortar joint for face brick, per BIA Technical Notes. Some masonry uses 1/2 inch for larger bricks. UK/Euro masonry uses 10 mm.
How do I calculate bricks for a curved wall?
Use the same formula with the developed (arc) length of the wall instead of the straight length. For tight curves, increase the waste factor to 10–15 % to account for the extra cuts needed to follow the curve.
What is the difference between standard and modular brick?
In the US, "standard" and "modular" bricks have the same face dimensions (3⅝" × 2¼") but slightly different depths. The depth doesn't affect the face brick count calculation, so both use the same coverage rate of ~6.86 bricks/ft².