How to use the brick calculator
- Enter the wall length and height.
- Enter the total area of doors and windows to subtract, if any.
- Choose the brick size. Modular is the most common size in the US.
- Keep about 5% extra for breakage and cuts.
The counts assume ⅜ in mortar joints and a single layer (one wythe) of brick, as in a typical brick veneer. Brick sizes vary between suppliers, so before you order, Decoratoradvice suggests checking the size printed on the pallet or data sheet.
Brick formula
Net wall area = length × height − openings
Bricks = net area × bricks per sq ft × (1 + extra)
Mortar = bricks ÷ 1,000 × mortar per 1,000 bricks
Bricks per square foot by size
From Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10, Table 4 (⅜ in joints):
| Brick | Bricks per 100 sq ft | Mortar per 1,000 bricks |
|---|---|---|
| Modular | 675 | 8.1 cu ft |
| Engineer modular | 563 | 8.5 cu ft |
| Closure modular | 450 | 9.1 cu ft |
| Queen | 550 | 12.2 cu ft |
| King | 455 | 14.2 cu ft |
| Utility | 300 | 12.3 cu ft |
Manufacturers' sizes vary slightly, especially for queen and king bricks. Check the dimensions of the brick you are buying.
Worked example
A modular brick wall 10 ft long and 8 ft high, no openings:
10 × 8 = 80 sq ft
80 × 6.75 = 540 bricks
With 5% extra: 567 bricks
Mortar: 540 ÷ 1,000 × 8.1 = 4.4 cu ft
The same wall in utility brick with 20 sq ft of openings and no extra: 60 sq ft × 3.00 = 180 bricks.
Tips
- Buy all bricks for a project at once, from the same production run, to keep the colour consistent.
- Mix bricks from several pallets as you lay them to blend natural variation.
- To turn mortar into bags, use the mortar calculator with your brick count.
- For a paved brick patio, use the paver calculator instead; pavers are laid flat with different joints.
Common mistakes
- Using the wrong size. A utility brick covers more than twice the face of a modular brick.
- Forgetting both faces of a double-wythe wall. Run the calculator for each layer.
- Subtracting openings without lintels in mind. Openings remove brick but add steel or precast lintels.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square foot?
6.75 modular bricks with ⅜ in joints, according to the Brick Industry Association. Other sizes range from 3.00 (utility) to 5.63 (engineer modular).
How many bricks do I need for a 10 × 10 wall?
100 sq ft of modular brick takes 675 bricks, or about 709 with 5% extra.
How much mortar do I need for 1,000 bricks?
About 8.1 cu ft for modular brick, per the Brick Industry Association. Larger bricks need more per thousand.
How many bricks does a bag of mortar lay?
QUIKRETE states one 80 lb bag of its Mason Mix lays up to 37 standard bricks.
What is the difference between brick and block?
Bricks are small solid or cored units, usually laid as a facing. Concrete blocks are larger hollow units used for structural walls; see the concrete block calculator.
Does the wall area include the mortar joints?
Yes. The bricks-per-square-foot figures already include ⅜ in joints, so use the overall wall size.
Key takeaways
- Modular brick: 6.75 per sq ft with ⅜ in joints.
- Subtract openings, then add about 5% for breakage.
- Mortar for modular brick is about 8.1 cu ft per 1,000 bricks.
- Buy from one production run so the colour matches.