Brick Calculator
Count the bricks and mortar needed for a wall of any size.
What you'll need to order
- modular brick
- type N mortar
- masonry sand
- wall ties
- weep vents
Prices vary by region and haul distance. Get quotes from at least two local suppliers.
How this calculator works
bricks = (length × height − openings) × 6.86 × 1.05
A modular brick measures 7 5/8 by 2 1/4 inches and with a 3/8 inch mortar joint occupies 8 by 2 5/8 inches — 6.86 bricks per square foot. Queen and king sizes differ, so confirm before ordering.
Switch the site to metric — the control is in the footer — and your inputs, your results and the tables below follow. The formula, the constants, the guidance text and the sources stay in US units on purpose: that is how the standards they come from are written, and restating them would detach each figure from the document you are meant to be able to check it against.
Where these numbers come from
- ASTM C216 (Facing Brick) 2023 — modular brick dimensions, from which 6.86 bricks per sq ft at a ⅜ in joint follows
The edition matters as much as the number. Jurisdictions adopt code revisions on their own schedule, so verify which one applies where you are building.
Worked example
With wall length 10 ft, wall height 8 ft, openings to deduct 0 sq ft, this calculator returns 576.24 .
Waste allowance
The headline figure includes a 5% allowance for waste and over-ordering. The exact requirement is shown alongside it.
Bricks needed by wall height
Figures below assume wall length 20 ft × openings to deduct 0 sq ft. Open any row to load it into the calculator above — the link carries the numbers with it, so it can go straight to a supplier or a crew.
| Wall height | Bricks needed | Mortar bags (70 lb) (bags) | Net wall area (sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ft | 288.1 | 2.30 | 40.00 |
| 3 ft | 432.2 | 3.46 | 60.00 |
| 4 ft | 576.2 | 4.61 | 80.00 |
| 6 ft | 864.4 | 6.91 | 120.0 |
| 8 ft | 1,152 | 9.22 | 160.0 |
| 10 ft | 1,441 | 11.52 | 200.0 |
A 20 ft wall with no openings. Modular brick at about 6.75 per square foot of face, plus a 5% breakage allowance.
How many bricks for a wall, veneer or patio?
Open any row to load it into the calculator above — the link carries the numbers with it, so it can go straight to a supplier or a crew.
| Job | Size | Bricks needed | Material cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden wall | 20 ft × 3 ft × 0 sq ft | 432.2 | $1,080 – $2,593 |
| Front elevation veneer | 40 ft × 9 ft × 120 sq ft | 1,729 | $4,322 – $10,372 |
| Single wall of a house | 30 ft × 18 ft × 90 sq ft | 3,241 | $8,103 – $19,448 |
| Boundary wall | 80 ft × 6 ft × 0 sq ft | 3,457 | $8,644 – $20,745 |
| Chimney breast | 5 ft × 20 ft × 0 sq ft | 720.3 | $1,801 – $4,322 |
Openings are the total square footage of doors and windows. Do not deduct anything under about 10 sq ft — the cuts around it use the material anyway.
Cost range uses $3–$6 per brick installed for material only.
What does brickwork cost?
Material typically runs $3 to $6 per brick installed. Installed, including mortar and labour. The bricks themselves are $0.40 to $1.20 each — like block, this is a labour-dominated trade.
What moves the price:
- Brick type: common facing brick against handmade, reclaimed or glazed
- Bond pattern — anything other than running bond is slower to lay
- Height, since scaffolding is needed above about 6 ft
- Whether the wall is structural or a veneer over sheathing
Prices are US averages and move with fuel, season and haul distance. Always get two local quotes before budgeting.
Brick sizes and coverage
| Type | Bricks per sq ft of wall | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Modular (7 5/8 x 2 1/4 in) | 6.75 | The US standard; assumed here |
| Standard (8 x 2 1/4 in) | 6.55 | Slightly larger face |
| Queen | 5.75 | Taller course, fewer per square foot |
| King | 4.90 | Larger still; common on new builds |
| Utility | 3.00 | Big format, fast to lay |
| Thin brick veneer | 6.75 | Same coverage, no structural role |
Coverage assumes a 3/8 inch mortar joint. A half-inch joint drops the count by roughly 5%, which is within the waste allowance either way.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need for a wall?
Multiply wall area in square feet by 6.75 for modular brick, then add 5% for breakage. A 20 by 8 ft wall needs about 1,130 bricks.
How much does a brick wall cost per square foot?
$18 to $40 per square foot installed for a structural wall, less for thin veneer. Materials are a small share — most of it is skilled labour.
How many bricks can a bricklayer lay in a day?
Four hundred to 600 on a straight run, considerably fewer around openings, corners and detailing. That rate is why brickwork is priced by the labour hour, not the brick.
How many bricks are in a square foot?
Just under seven — 6.86 for standard modular brick with a 3/8 inch mortar joint. Queen size works out to about 5.8 per square foot and king size to 4.6.
How many bricks does a bag of mortar lay?
Roughly 125 bricks per 70 lb bag of type N mortar mix, assuming a 3/8 inch joint. Add masonry sand if you are mixing from portland and lime rather than using pre-blended bags.
How much waste should I allow on brick?
Five percent for a plain running bond wall, and 10% where there are many corners, arches or a pattern requiring cuts. Order the whole job at once — brick colour varies noticeably between production runs.
What mortar type should I use for brick?
Type N for most above-grade walls — it is softer than the brick and lets the wall move without cracking the units. Type S goes below grade or where structural strength matters. Type M is rarely right for residential brickwork.