Brick Calculator
Use this free brick calculator to find exactly how many bricks you need for any wall, patio, or structure. Enter your wall dimensions, select a brick size, set a waste factor - and the brickwork calculation runs instantly. Results include a brick count, mortar bag estimate, and a clear step-by-step breakdown so you can verify every number before ordering.
All calculations use standard published formulas. Results are for informational use only.
Brick size
How to use this brick calculator
- Choose brick size - US Standard covers the most common American residential and commercial brickwork. UK Standard is used in Britain and many Commonwealth countries. US Jumbo is a taller format used in some commercial projects.
- Enter wall dimensions - Measure the full length and height of the wall face in feet (imperial) or meters (metric).
- Subtract openings - Total up the area of all doors, windows, and vents and enter that figure. This avoids over-ordering.
- Set the waste factor - Use 10% for a straightforward wall, 15-20% for walls with corners or lots of cuts, up to 25% for decorative patterns.
- Read the result - Total bricks needed (rounded up), base count, net area, and estimated mortar bag count.
Brickwork calculation formula
The brick calculator uses an area-based method: find how many bricks fit in one square unit, then multiply by the total net area.
Base count = Net Wall Area x Bricks per sq ft
Total (with waste) = Base count x (1 + Waste %)
For US standard bricks (7.625″ x 2.25″) with 3/8″ mortar joints:
- Brick face + mortar = (7.625 + 0.375) x (2.25 + 0.375) = 8.0 x 2.625 = 21 sq inches
- Bricks per sq ft = 144 / 21 = 6.86 bricks/sq ft
- 100 sq ft wall: 686 base + 10% waste = 755 bricks to order
Brick size quick-reference table
Coverage per square foot and per square meter for common brick formats with standard mortar joints. Use these to verify your bricks per square foot figure or to quickly convert between US and UK formats.
| Brick type | Face size | Mortar joint | Bricks/sq ft | Bricks/m^2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Standard | 7⅝″ x 2¼″ | 3/8″ | 6.86 | 73.8 |
| US Jumbo | 7⅝″ x 2¾″ | 3/8″ | 5.76 | 62.0 |
| UK Standard | 215 x 65 mm | 10 mm | 5.53 | 59.5 |
| US Oversize | 7⅝″ x 3¾″ | 3/8″ | 4.50 | 48.4 |
US Standard at 6.86 bricks/sq ft is the most common format for residential brickwork in North America. UK Standard yields 59.5 bricks/m^2 with a 10 mm mortar joint.
Understanding your brickwork estimate
Why deduct openings?
A standard 3 ft x 7 ft door opening is 21 sq ft of wall where no bricks are laid. At 6.86 bricks/sq ft, that is 144 fewer bricks in your base count - about $100-$200 in material savings depending on brick prices. Always subtract doors, windows, vents, and any other non-bricked sections before calculating.
Why do mortar joints matter?
Thicker mortar joints mean fewer bricks per square foot because each brick effectively "occupies" more surface. A 1/2″ joint versus 3/8″ reduces bricks per sq ft from 6.86 to about 6.36 - a 7% difference over large areas. Match the mortar joint in the calculator to your project specification.
Ordering tips
- Order from the same production run (batch/kiln lot) to avoid color inconsistency. Bricks from different batches can look noticeably different when dry.
- US bricks come on pallets of 500-525 units. Round up to full pallets to keep per-unit cost down and delivery simple.
- For long-term maintenance, keep 2-5% of spare bricks stored in a dry location. You may need them for repairs years later.
Waste factor guide
- 10% - Simple straight wall, few cuts, experienced mason
- 15% - Wall with multiple corners, moderate number of openings
- 20% - Irregular shapes, arches, complex patterns
- 25% - Herringbone, diagonal, or decorative pattern brickwork
Worked examples
Example 1 - Exterior house wall
A single side of a house is 40 ft wide x 9 ft tall = 360 sq ft gross. It has two windows (each 4 ft x 4 ft = 16 sq ft) and one door (3 ft x 7 ft = 21 sq ft): openings total 53 sq ft. Net area = 360 - 53 = 307 sq ft. At 6.86 bricks/sq ft with 10% waste: 307 x 6.86 x 1.1 = 2,318 bricks.
Example 2 - Garden wall
A 25 ft long x 5 ft high garden wall with no openings = 125 sq ft. Using US Standard with 15% waste: 125 x 6.86 x 1.15 = 986 bricks. Order 2 full pallets (1,000 units) and you will have a small buffer for repairs.
Example 3 - UK brick wall (metric)
A 6 m x 2.5 m wall = 15 m^2 gross. One window (1.2 m x 1.0 m = 1.2 m^2). Net area = 13.8 m^2. At 59.5 bricks/m^2 with 12% waste: 13.8 x 59.5 x 1.12 = 920 bricks.
Common brickwork calculation mistakes
Forgetting to deduct openings
A standard door opening is 21 sq ft. At 6.86 bricks/sq ft, that's 144 bricks you don't need. A house wall with three doors and six windows can contain 300-450 sq ft of openings. Skipping deductions means a significant over-order and wasted money.
Using one waste factor for every project
Straight walls with few cuts need only 10% waste. A herringbone or diagonal pattern can waste 25% or more because each brick must be cut to a specific angle. If you're working with a bricklayer, ask for their estimated waste rate rather than applying a generic number.
Not ordering from the same batch
Brick color varies between kiln firings. If you order 2,000 bricks and need 200 more later, the new delivery may not match visually once both batches weather. Always over-order by a small margin and store spares - you may need them for repairs 5 or 10 years later from the same production run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate how many bricks I need for a wall?
Divide your net wall area by the area one brick covers (including mortar joints). For a US standard brick with 3/8-inch mortar, one brick covers (7.625 + 0.375) x (2.25 + 0.375) = 21 sq inches, or about 0.146 sq ft. That equals roughly 6.86 bricks per square foot. Multiply by the net area (gross wall area minus door and window openings), then add your waste percentage on top.
How many bricks per square foot?
A US standard modular brick with 3/8-inch mortar joints covers about 21 sq inches, giving approximately 6.86 bricks per square foot. UK standard bricks with 10 mm joints cover about 16,800 mm^2, yielding roughly 59.5 bricks per square meter. Brick size and mortar joint thickness are the two variables that determine coverage.
How much mortar do I need for brickwork?
A common rule of thumb is 7 bags of mortar mix per 100 square feet of brickwork (roughly one bag per 14 sq ft). For very large projects, plan on about 1 cubic foot of mortar for every 30-35 standard bricks laid. Always add 10% extra for waste and joint variation.
Should I add a waste factor when ordering bricks?
Yes, always. For a simple straight wall with few cuts, 10% waste is standard. For walls with corners, multiple openings, or pattern work, use 15-20%. If you are doing a herringbone or diagonal pattern, budget up to 25%. Running short mid-project is a serious problem because bricks from different production batches can have visible color variations.
What is the difference between brickwork calculation and block calculation?
The method is identical - divide area by unit coverage - but the unit size is different. Concrete blocks (CMU) are much larger (typically 8″ x 8″ x 16″ face) so you need far fewer units per square foot. Select 'US Standard' brick for standard clay bricks; use a different calculator for concrete masonry blocks. The mortar volume per square foot is also different between brick and block.