Logo
CalculatorsPlus
HomeconstructionBrick Calculator

Brick Calculator

Calculate how many bricks and mortar bags you need for walls, patios, and walkways — subtract openings, choose standard or king size, includes 5% waste and worked examples.

Planning a brick wall, garden patio, or walkway? Enter wall length, height, door/window openings, and brick type — get total brick count and mortar bags before ordering from the yard. Standard modular bricks need about 60 per m² (6.75 per sq ft with mortar joints); king-size bricks need roughly 48 per m².

Brick searches spike when homeowners and contractors price masonry projects. Ordering too few bricks means a stalled job and mismatched dye lots; ordering too many ties up cash and storage. This calculator subtracts opening area, applies a 5% waste factor for cuts and breakage, and estimates 80-lb mortar bags (~40 bricks per bag).

Worked example (metric): a 5 m × 2.4 m garden wall = 12 m² gross area. Subtract 3 m² for a gate opening → 9 m² net × 60 standard bricks/m² × 1.05 waste = 567 bricks and ~15 mortar bags.

Worked example (imperial): a 20 ft × 8 ft single-wythe wall = 160 sq ft. One 3 ft × 5 ft window (15 sq ft) → 145 sq ft net × 6.75 bricks/sq ft × 1.05 = ~1,028 bricks. A typical pallet holds 500 bricks — you would need 3 pallets with extras.

Brick type matters: modular (3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝"), queen, and king sizes all change count per area. Veneer (one wythe) uses fewer bricks than a structural double-wythe wall — this tool estimates single-layer face area; double walls need roughly 2× the count.

Free, instant, no account. Buy 5–10% extra bricks from the same production run for future repairs — discontinued colors are a common headache. Mix pallets during laying for even color distribution.

brick calculatorhow many bricks do I needbrick wall calculatorbricks per square footbricks per square metermortar calculator for brick wall

Formula

Net area = (length × height) − openings · Bricks = area × bricks/m² (or × 6.75/sq ft) × 1.05 waste · Mortar bags ≈ bricks ÷ 40

Common Uses

  • ✓Estimate bricks for a garden or privacy wall
  • ✓Plan a brick patio or walkway material order
  • ✓Subtract windows and doors from exterior wall area
  • ✓Compare standard vs. king-size brick quantities
  • ✓Budget mortar bags alongside brick pallets
  • ✓Verify a mason's quote before signing
  • ✓Calculate veneer brick for a chimney or accent wall

How to Use the Brick Calculator

  1. 1

    Measure wall length and height

    Measure the full length and height of the wall in meters or feet. For L-shaped walls, calculate each section separately and add totals.

  2. 2

    Subtract doors and windows

    Add up opening areas: e.g. one 90 cm × 210 cm door = 1.89 m², two 120 cm × 90 cm windows = 2.16 m². Enter total opening area to subtract.

  3. 3

    Choose brick type

    Select standard modular (~60/m² or 6.75/sq ft) or king-size (~48/m²). Match the option to what your supplier sells.

  4. 4

    Review bricks and mortar

    See net wall area, total bricks (with 5% waste), and 80-lb mortar bag count. Round up to whole pallets when ordering.

💡 Tips & Tricks

  • •Example quick check: 10 ft × 8 ft wall = 80 sq ft × 6.75 = 540 bricks before openings — a full pallet plus extras.
  • •Add 10% waste for herringbone or basket-weave patterns; 5% is enough for straight running bond.
  • •Mix bricks from 3–4 pallets during installation so color blends evenly across the wall.
  • •Store bricks on pallets off the ground and under a tarp — wet bricks affect mortar adhesion.
  • •Type N mortar for above-grade exterior walls; Type S for below-grade, chimneys, and retaining walls.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bricks per square foot?
Standard modular bricks with 3/8" mortar joints require approximately 6.75 bricks per square foot of wall area. Queen-size bricks need about 5.5/sq ft; king-size about 4.5/sq ft. Always add 5–10% for cuts and breakage.
How many bricks per square meter?
Standard modular bricks: ~60 per m². King-size bricks: ~48 per m². Example: a 5 m × 2.4 m wall (12 m²) minus a 3 m² opening = 9 m² × 60 = 540 bricks + 5% waste ≈ 567 bricks total.
How much mortar do I need for a brick wall?
One 80-lb bag of premixed Type S or N mortar lays approximately 35–40 standard bricks. For 567 bricks you need ~15 bags. One cubic foot of mortar covers 30–35 bricks when mixing from scratch.
What is the standard brick size?
US modular brick: 3-5/8" × 2-1/4" × 7-5/8" (92×57×194 mm). With 3/8" mortar joints the nominal face size is 4" × 2-2/3" × 8". UK metric standard is often 215×102.5×65 mm (~60 bricks/m²).
How do I calculate bricks for a wall with windows and doors?
Step 1: Wall area = length × height. Step 2: Opening area = sum of all windows and doors (e.g. 3 ft × 5 ft window = 15 sq ft). Step 3: Net area = wall area − openings. Step 4: Multiply net area by bricks per sq ft/m² and add 5–10% waste.
How many bricks are on a pallet?
A standard pallet holds 400–500 modular bricks (about 500 is common in the US). For 1,028 bricks you need 3 pallets. Order all bricks from the same production batch to avoid color variation between pallets.
Single wythe vs. double brick wall — how many bricks?
A single wythe (veneer or 4" face) uses one brick thickness — what this calculator estimates. A structural double-wythe cavity wall needs roughly twice the brick count plus ties and insulation. Solid 9" walls (UK) use ~120 bricks/m².
How many bricks for a patio?
Pavers and thin brick differ from wall brick. For a 3 m × 4 m patio (12 m²) using standard pavers at 60/m² with 10% waste: 12 × 60 × 1.10 = 792 pavers/bricks. Patios on sand base skip mortar — budget sand and edge restraints instead.

Related Calculators

Excavation Calculator

Dig volume & soil removal

Paint Calculator

Paint coverage & gallons needed

Concrete Calculator

Concrete volume & bags needed

View all construction tools

Other Categories

Finance CalculatorsHealth CalculatorsMath CalculatorsDate & Time CalculatorsUnit Conversion Calculators

Share This Tool

Found this calculator useful? Share it with friends or colleagues.