Brick Calculator
Use our Brick Calculator to determine how many bricks and mortar bags you need for your masonry project. Choose from different brick sizes and get accurate material estimates with pricing.
How to Calculate Brick Requirements
Calculating brick requirements involves determining the wall area, selecting appropriate brick size, and accounting for mortar joints. Here's a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Calculate Wall Area
Multiply the wall length by its height to get the total area:
- Wall Length: 20 feet
- Wall Height: 8 feet
- Wall Area: 20 x 8 = 160 square feet
Step 2: Determine Bricks per Square Foot
This depends on brick size and mortar joint thickness. For standard bricks (8" x 2¼") with 3/8" mortar joints:
- Brick length with mortar: 8" + 0.375" = 8.375"
- Brick height with mortar: 2.25" + 0.375" = 2.625"
- Bricks per sq ft: 144 / (8.375 x 2.625) = 6.55 bricks
Step 3: Calculate Total Bricks Needed
Multiply wall area by bricks per square foot and add waste allowance:
- Bricks needed: 160 sq ft x 6.55 = 1,048 bricks
- Add 5% for waste: 1,048 x 1.05 = 1,100 bricks (round up)
Step 4: Calculate Mortar Requirements
Generally, one 80-pound bag of mortar mix covers about 50-75 bricks:
- Mortar bags needed: 1,100 bricks / 60 = 18.3 bags
- Round up to 19 bags for this project
Brick Sizes and Applications
Different brick sizes serve different purposes in construction. Choose the right size based on your project's requirements and aesthetic preferences.
| Brick Type | Dimensions (L x H x W) | Bricks per sq ft | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8" x 2¼" x 4" | 6.55 | Most common, general construction |
| Modular | 7⅝" x 2¼" x 3⅝" | 7.0 | Metric-compatible sizing |
| Queen | 9⅝" x 2¾" x 3⅝" | 5.5 | Larger walls, commercial |
| King | 9⅝" x 3" x 3⅝" | 5.0 | Tall walls, faster installation |
| Jumbo | 12" x 4" x 6" | 3.0 | Large structures, landscaping |
| Utility | 12" x 4" x 8" | 2.25 | Structural walls, fast construction |
Mortar Joint Standards
- 3/8 inch (9.5mm): Standard joint thickness - most common
- 1/2 inch (12.7mm): Wide joint - rustic appearance
- 1/4 inch (6.4mm): Thin joint - modern, tight appearance
Brick Bond Patterns
- Running Bond: Most common, each brick overlaps half the brick below
- Stack Bond: Bricks stacked directly on top, creates vertical lines
- Flemish Bond: Alternating headers and stretchers in each course
- English Bond: Alternating courses of headers and stretchers
Construction Tips
- Add 5-10% extra bricks for waste and breakage
- Order all bricks from the same batch for color consistency
- Store bricks off the ground and covered from moisture
- Use proper mortar type for your climate and application
- Maintain consistent mortar joint thickness throughout
Cite this page as:
Daniel, P. Brick Calculator. Available at: https://constructioncalculators.com/brick-calculator/. Accessed: October 25, 2026.