brick
Brick & mortar
Wall area times regional brick density yields bricks and mortar volume.
Results are approximate. Verify with manufacturer specifications or consult a professional.
Project inputs
IMPERIAL
Enter a value in ft².
Enter a value in Your units.
Enter a value in yd³.
Includes breakage, spillage, onsite adjustments
Material output
Updates instantly as you type.
Primary output
682.8ea
682.8 ea
≈ 650.3 ea primary output
Mortar volume
Your units
0.64 yd³
Results are approximate. Verify with manufacturer specifications or consult a professional.
How it works
Frequently asked questions
Country defaults
United States · USD · imperial
Waste factor: 5.0%
Context & guidance
Results are approximate. Verify with manufacturer specifications or consult a professional.
About This Calculator
Calculate the exact number of bricks needed for walls, foundations, or facades. Accounts for wall dimensions, brick size, mortar joints, waste factors (typically 5-10% for standard walls, 10-15% for complex patterns), and country-specific brick standards. Supports both metric and imperial units with automatic conversion.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Measure Wall Dimensions
Measure wall length and height. For multiple walls, measure each separately. Account for openings (doors, windows) by subtracting their area. Standard residential walls are 2.4-3.0m (8-10ft) high and 3-6m (10-20ft) long.
Select Brick Size
Standard sizes vary by country: UK (215×102.5×65mm), US (203×92×57mm), Metric (200×100×50mm). The calculator uses country-specific defaults. Verify brick dimensions with your supplier.
Set Mortar Joint Thickness
Standard mortar joints are 10mm (3/8in) thick. Thicker joints (12-15mm) are used for some applications. Joint thickness affects brick count: thicker joints mean fewer bricks per m².
Account for Waste Factor
Standard walls need 5-10% waste for cuts and breakage. Complex patterns (herringbone, basket weave) need 10-15% waste. Always add 5-10% extra for future repairs and to ensure batch matching.
Calculate Brick Count
The calculator shows: total wall area, number of bricks needed (including waste), and estimated mortar volume. Standard brick coverage: ~50-60 bricks per m² for 10mm joints, depending on brick size.
Order Materials
Order all bricks from the same batch for color consistency. Buy 5-10% extra for future repairs. Calculate mortar separately: typically 0.02-0.03 m³ per m² of wall (or 20-30kg of dry mix per m²).
Common Mistakes
Not accounting for mortar joints
Mortar joints reduce the number of bricks needed. A 10mm joint on standard bricks means ~50-60 bricks per m² vs ~70-80 without joints. The calculator accounts for this automatically.
Forgetting to subtract openings
Doors and windows significantly reduce brick needs. Standard door: ~2.0 m², single window: 1.5-2.5 m². Always measure and subtract all openings accurately.
Underestimating waste for complex patterns
Complex patterns (herringbone, basket weave) require 10-15% waste vs 5-10% for standard running bond. Always use the higher waste factor for decorative patterns.
Not ordering extra for future repairs
Always order 5-10% extra from the same batch. Brick colors vary between batches, and you'll need matching bricks for future repairs or damage.
Pro Tips
Buy all bricks from the same batch. Color variations between batches are noticeable, especially with handmade or colored bricks.
For complex patterns (herringbone, basket weave), add 15% waste instead of 10%. These patterns create more cuts and offcuts.
Calculate mortar separately: typically 0.02-0.03 m³ per m² (or 20-30kg dry mix per m²). Add 10% extra for waste and mixing.
Plan your layout before starting. Decide on bond pattern (running bond, stack bond, etc.) and how to handle corners and openings.
Keep 5-10% extra bricks for future repairs. Brick manufacturers discontinue colors, and you'll need matching bricks for damage or expansion.
For load-bearing walls, verify brick strength and mortar mix with local building codes. Structural requirements may affect material choices.