Brick Calculator

How Many Bricks Do You Need?

The number of bricks required depends on the total wall area, brick size and mortar joint thickness. Larger bricks generally cover more wall area, while smaller bricks require more individual units for the same wall.

Mortar joints affect the effective brick module used in the finished wall. For this reason, a reliable brick estimate should account for both the brick dimensions and the mortar joint instead of relying on a single fixed bricks-per-square- foot value.

After calculating the gross wall area, subtract the area of doors and windows. The remaining wall area is used to estimate the required brick quantity.

Common US Brick Sizes and Dimensions

Brick dimensions vary by manufacturer, product line and region. In the United States, modular brick is a common reference size for estimating brickwork. Always check the actual product dimensions before ordering materials.

For a more detailed reference on common US brick dimensions, nominal sizes and brick measurements, see our US Brick Sizes & Dimensions Guide.

These are common reference dimensions rather than a guarantee of a specific manufacturer's product. Verify the actual brick size and applicable construction requirements before purchasing materials.

How Many Bricks Per Square Foot?

The number of bricks per square foot is not the same for every wall. It depends on the brick face dimensions and the mortar joint used between bricks.

A common US modular brick has an actual face size of 7 5/8 inches by 2 1/4 inches. When mortar joints are included, the effective brick module becomes larger than the physical brick. This changes the number of brick units required for a given wall area.

For a more accurate estimate, enter the actual brick dimensions and mortar joint thickness into the calculator instead of using a fixed bricks-per-square-foot assumption.

Brick Calculator Worked Example

Suppose you have a wall that is 20 feet long and 8 feet high. First calculate the gross wall area:

If the wall contains doors or windows, calculate the combined area of those openings and subtract it from the gross wall area. For example, if the openings total 20 sq ft:

Next, enter the actual brick dimensions and mortar joint thickness in the calculator. The calculator uses these dimensions to estimate the brick quantity and then applies the selected waste allowance.

This method is more flexible than using a fixed number of bricks per square foot because brick size, mortar joint thickness and wall openings can vary from one project to another.

Mortar Joint and Brick Quantity

Mortar joints fill the spaces between individual bricks. Their thickness affects the effective brick module used to estimate how many bricks fit into a wall.

A small change in mortar joint thickness can affect the estimated brick quantity, especially on a large wall. Use the actual joint thickness specified for the construction project whenever possible.

Deducting Doors and Windows

Wall openings such as doors and windows reduce the amount of brickwork required. Their area should be subtracted from the gross wall area before estimating the brick quantity.

If a wall contains multiple openings, enter each opening's dimensions in the calculator. This helps prevent overestimating the number of bricks required.

Brick Waste Allowance

Additional bricks may be required because of breakage, cutting, transportation damage, fitting around openings and adjustments at corners.

A 5% to 10% allowance is commonly used for preliminary planning, but the appropriate waste percentage depends on the brick type, workmanship, transportation and project conditions.

Use the waste percentage in the calculator when you want the estimated brick quantity to include an allowance for construction waste.

Mortar and Material Cost Estimate

Brickwork requires mortar to fill the joints between bricks. The amount of mortar depends on brick dimensions, wall thickness, mortar joint size and construction method.

Material cost estimates are based on the quantities and prices entered into the calculator. Actual project costs can vary depending on local brick prices, cement prices, sand prices, transportation, labor and site conditions.

Brick Calculation Steps

1. Measure the wall length and wall height.
2. Calculate the gross wall area.
3. Measure doors and windows and calculate their combined area.
4. Subtract the opening area from the gross wall area.
5. Enter the brick length, height and width.
6. Enter the mortar joint thickness.
7. Add an appropriate brick waste allowance.
8. Review the estimated brick, mortar and material cost results.

How We Calculate Brick Quantity

CornerSpan calculates brick quantity from the dimensions entered by the user rather than relying on one fixed bricks-per-square-foot value.

For a step-by-step explanation of brick quantity calculations, wall area, openings and material estimation, see our Brick Calculation Guide.

1. Calculate the gross wall area from wall length and height.
2. Calculate the area of each door and window opening.
3. Subtract the total opening area from the gross wall area.
4. Determine the effective brick module using brick dimensions and mortar joint thickness.
5. Estimate the base brick quantity for the net wall area.
6. Apply the selected waste allowance.
7. Estimate mortar and material costs using the calculated quantities and prices entered by the user.

Results are estimates for planning purposes. Actual material requirements can vary because of brick tolerances, mortar joints, cutting, breakage, construction methods and site conditions.

Common Uses of a Brick Calculator

Brick Standards & References

Brick sizes, material properties and construction requirements can vary by product and application. The following sources provide additional technical information.

• Glen-Gery – Brick Sizes and Dimensions
• Acme Brick – Modular Size Brick
• ASTM International – C216 Facing Brick Specification

External references are provided for additional technical context. Always verify the actual dimensions and product specifications supplied by the manufacturer for your project.

Brick Calculator FAQ