Brick Calculator
Bricks = wall area ÷ (brick + joint) area × 1.05
How Brick Quantity Calculations Work
Brick count divides total wall area by the effective area of one brick including mortar joints. Standard modular brick is 7.625 in × 2.25 in face. With 3/8 in mortar joints, each brick occupies (7.625/12 + 3/8/12) × (2.25/12 + 3/8/12) = 0.667 × 0.219 = 0.146 sq ft on the wall face.
A 20 ft × 8 ft wall (160 sq ft) needs 160 ÷ 0.146 = 1,096 bricks. Add 5% for breakage and cuts: 1,096 × 1.05 = 1,151 bricks. Mortar bags scale with brick count — roughly one 80 lb mortar bag per 100 bricks, so 12 bags for this wall. Actual mortar type (Type N, S, M) depends on exposure and load-bearing requirements.
Wall area is simply length × height for rectangular sections. Subtract window and door openings separately. A 20×8 ft wall with a 3×4 ft window loses 12 sq ft, netting 148 sq ft. Brick sizes vary internationally — UK standard brick differs from U.S. modular. Enter actual brick dimensions for accuracy.
Veneer brick (thin profile for exterior cladding) uses different coverage rates. Structural single-wythe walls need reinforcement and tie-backs per code. Weep holes at the base vent moisture from cavity walls. Flashing above lintels prevents water intrusion behind the veneer. Stack bond and running bond layouts use the same brick count but running bond is stronger because vertical joints never align — stagger each course by half a brick for standard residential walls.
| Wall Size | Area | Bricks (5% waste) |
|---|---|---|
| 10×6 ft | 60 sq ft | ~432 |
| 20×8 ft | 160 sq ft | ~1,151 |
| 30×8 ft | 240 sq ft | ~1,726 |
| 12×12 ft patio wall | 144 sq ft | ~1,036 |
Enter wall length, height, brick dimensions, and joint thickness for brick and mortar bag counts. Use the concrete calculator for footing pours beneath structural walls. Allow mortar to cure 28 days before applying full structural loads, and keep new masonry covered in hot or freezing weather so joints set evenly without cracking.
Examples
| Example | Result |
|---|---|
| 20×8 ft wall, modular brick, 3/8 in joints | ~1,151 bricks, 12 mortar bags |
| 12×12 ft patio wall, 4 ft high | ~576 bricks |
| 30×8 ft exterior wall | ~1,726 bricks, 18 mortar bags |
| 10×6 ft garden wall | ~432 bricks, 5 mortar bags |
| 15×10 ft wall with standard brick | ~1,080 bricks |
| 8×8 ft accent wall | ~461 bricks |
| 25×9 ft facade | ~1,620 bricks |
Frequently asked questions
Standard modular brick with 3/8 in joints covers about 6.8–7 bricks per square foot. This calculator uses your exact brick and joint dimensions.
Plan roughly one 80 lb mortar bag per 100 bricks for standard 3/8 in joints. Sand and cement can be mixed on site as an alternative.
Yes — 5% extra covers cuts at corners, windows, and breakage. Complex patterns or arches may need 10% or more.