Brick Calculator - How Many Bricks Do I Need?
Enter the wall length, wall height, brick size, mortar joint, openings, waste allowance, and optional price per brick. The calculator estimates bricks per square foot, total bricks, extra bricks, 80 lb mortar bags, and material cost.
Quick answer: most modular brick walls use about 6.5 to 7 bricks per square foot including a 3/8 inch mortar joint. A 20 ft x 8 ft wall is 160 sq ft, so this calculator estimates roughly 1,153 bricks after a 10% waste allowance and about 32 bags of 80 lb mortar mix as a rough planning estimate.
Also planning mortar? Use the mortar calculator after you estimate brick count. For block work instead of brick veneer, open the concrete block calculator.
How to Calculate Bricks for a Wall
The brick calculation formula accounts for brick dimensions, mortar joint thickness, and waste:
- Calculate wall area: Multiply wall length by wall height (in feet) to get total square footage.
- Subtract openings: Remove the area of any windows, doors, or other openings.
- Find bricks per square foot: 144 / ((brick length + mortar joint) x (brick height + mortar joint)).
- Calculate total bricks: Wall area x bricks per sq ft x your waste allowance. Use 7% for a simple straight wall, 10% for most jobs, and 15% when there are many cuts or pattern work.
Waste and Ordering Guide
| Waste allowance | Use when |
|---|---|
| 7% | Simple straight walls with few cuts and a common brick size. |
| 10% | Most brick veneer walls, garden walls, and small DIY projects. |
| 15% | Herringbone, many corners, partial bricks around openings, or a job where matching replacement bricks later would be difficult. |
Brick Sizes Chart
Common brick sizes used in construction (length x height x depth):
- Standard / Modular: 8" x 2.25" x 3.625" — the most common brick size, approximately 7 bricks per sq ft
- Queen: 8" x 2.75" x 3.125" — slightly taller, approximately 5.8 bricks per sq ft
- King: 9.625" x 2.75" x 2.75" — larger format, approximately 4.8 bricks per sq ft
- Utility: 12" x 4" x 4" — used for structural walls, approximately 3 bricks per sq ft
Mortar Coverage Guide
Mortar is essential for bonding bricks together. Here is a general guide:
- Per 80 lb bag: Manufacturer coverage charts commonly list up to about 37 standard bricks per bag. That means 1,000 bricks is roughly 28 bags before adding any job-specific cushion. Check the bag label because yield varies by manufacturer, brick type, joint thickness, and mixing consistency.
- Joint thickness: Standard mortar joints are 3/8" (0.375") for modular bricks, though 1/2" joints are also common
- Mortar types: Type N (general purpose), Type S (structural/below grade), Type M (heavy loads/foundations)
Brick Laying Patterns
- Running Bond: The most common pattern. Bricks are staggered by half in each row. Simple, strong, and efficient with minimal waste.
- Stack Bond: Bricks are aligned directly on top of each other. Modern look, but structurally weaker without reinforcement.
- Herringbone: Bricks are laid at 45-degree angles in a V-shape pattern. Popular for patios and walkways, but requires more cuts and 10-15% extra material.
- Flemish Bond: Alternating headers and stretchers in each course. Traditional look with excellent structural strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks per square foot?
For standard modular bricks (8" x 2.25") with 3/8" mortar joints, you need approximately 6.75 bricks per square foot. This is commonly rounded up to about 7 bricks per square foot to account for waste and breakage.
How many bricks does an 80 lb bag of mortar cover?
Manufacturer coverage charts commonly list an 80 lb bag of mortar mix as laying up to about 37 standard bricks. For 1,000 bricks, that is roughly 28 bags before adding any job-specific cushion. Actual coverage varies by brick type, joint thickness, wall thickness, waste, and mixing consistency.
How do I calculate bricks for a wall?
Multiply the wall length by its height to get the total square footage. Subtract the area of any doors (about 21 sq ft each) and windows (about 12 sq ft each). Multiply the remaining area by 7 bricks per sq ft (for standard bricks). Add 10% extra for waste and breakage.
What is the standard mortar joint size?
The standard mortar joint thickness is 3/8 inch (0.375") for modular bricks. Some applications use 1/2 inch joints. Consistent joint size is important for both structural integrity and visual appearance.
How many bricks are on a pallet?
A standard pallet of bricks contains approximately 500 bricks, though this varies by brick size and manufacturer. A pallet of standard modular bricks covers roughly 70-75 square feet of wall area.