How much mortar do I need for brickwork?

A common rule of thumb is about 0.3–0.4 cubic feet (8–11 liters) of mortar per 100 standard modular bricks. The calculator estimates mortar volume based on brick and joint dimensions and shows the total in cubic feet, cubic meters, and 80 lb bag equivalents.

What waste percentage should I use for bricks?

For simple straight walls, 5–7% waste is usually enough. For complex layouts, patterns, or many openings and corners, 10–15% is safer. The default in this calculator is 10%, which works well for most residential projects.

Can I use this brick calculator for different brick sizes?

Yes. You can choose common presets like modular or UK standard bricks, or switch to Custom size and enter your exact brick length, height, and thickness in either inches or millimeters. The calculator updates results instantly.

Does the calculator support both metric and imperial units?

Yes. You can work in feet and inches or in meters and millimeters. The tool converts everything internally and shows brick counts and mortar volumes consistently, so you can mix inputs if needed.

Brick Calculator

Estimate how many bricks, how much mortar, and the total cost you need for walls, partitions, and other brickwork. Supports custom brick sizes, openings, waste, and both metric and imperial units.

Brick & Mortar Estimator

Units:

Wall dimensions

Wall length

Wall height

Wall thickness (number of brick widths)

Openings (doors, windows)

Brick & mortar

Brick size

Length

Height

Thickness

Mortar joint thickness

Waste allowance

% extra bricks

Cost (optional)

Cost per brick

Cost per mortar bag

Assuming 80 lb (36.3 kg) premix bags.

Results

Bricks

Net bricks (no waste): –

Bricks incl. waste: –

Mortar

Volume: –

Approx. bags (80 lb): –

Wall area (gross): –

Openings area: –

Wall area (net): –

Brick face area incl. joint: –

How this brick calculator works

This brick calculator estimates how many bricks and how much mortar you need for a wall or partition. It also lets you include openings (doors, windows), wall thickness, waste allowance, and optional cost per brick and mortar bag.

1. Wall area

The calculator first finds the net wall area to be covered with bricks:

Gross wall area

\( A_\text{gross} = L \times H \)

where:

\( L \) = wall length
\( H \) = wall height

Openings area (sum of all doors and windows):

\( A_\text{openings} = \sum (w_i \times h_i) \)

Net wall area:

\( A_\text{net} = A_\text{gross} - A_\text{openings} \)

2. Brick coverage area

Each brick occupies a certain area on the wall, including mortar joints. For a standard stretcher bond, we use the brick length and height plus the joint thickness:

Brick module dimensions

\( L_b' = L_b + t_j \)

\( H_b' = H_b + t_j \)

where:

\( L_b \) = brick length
\( H_b \) = brick height
\( t_j \) = mortar joint thickness

Brick face area (including joint):

\( A_\text{brick} = L_b' \times H_b' \)

The calculator converts all dimensions to a consistent unit (meters) internally, so you can mix feet, inches, and millimeters safely.

3. Number of bricks

The basic brick count is the net wall area divided by the area covered by one brick:

Bricks per wythe (single-brick thickness):

\( N_\text{net} = \dfrac{A_\text{net}}{A_\text{brick}} \)

Adjust for wall thickness (multiple wythes):

\( N_\text{net,thick} = N_\text{net} \times n_\text{wythes} \)

where \( n_\text{wythes} \) is 1, 1.5, or 2 bricks thick.

Include waste:

\( N_\text{total} = N_\text{net,thick} \times (1 + w/100) \)

where \( w \) is the waste percentage.

4. Mortar volume estimation

Mortar volume is estimated from the difference between the total wall volume and the volume of all bricks:

Wall volume (approximate):

\( V_\text{wall} = A_\text{net} \times t_\text{wall} \)

where \( t_\text{wall} \) is the wall thickness (number of brick widths × brick thickness).

Total brick volume:

\( V_\text{bricks} = N_\text{net,thick} \times V_\text{brick} \)

Mortar volume:

\( V_\text{mortar} = V_\text{wall} - V_\text{bricks} \)

The tool then converts mortar volume to cubic feet, cubic meters, and an approximate number of 80 lb (36.3 kg) mortar bags.

Typical brick sizes

US modular brick: 7 5/8 × 2 1/4 × 3 5/8 in (194 × 57 × 92 mm)
US standard brick: 8 × 2 1/4 × 3 5/8 in (203 × 57 × 92 mm)
UK standard brick: 215 × 65 × 102.5 mm

You can also switch to Custom size and enter any brick dimensions you need.

Practical tips for ordering bricks and mortar

Round brick counts up to the nearest full pack or pallet as required by your supplier.
Use higher waste (10–15%) for complex patterns, many corners, or if bricks are fragile.
Order a little extra mortar, especially in hot or windy conditions where it can dry out faster.
Always confirm local building code requirements for wall thickness, ties, and reinforcement.

Brick calculator FAQ

How do I calculate how many bricks I need?

Measure the wall length and height, subtract the area of any openings, then divide the net wall area by the area covered by one brick including mortar joints. This calculator automates all of that and also lets you add waste and wall thickness.

How much mortar do I need per 1,000 bricks?

For standard modular bricks with 3/8 in (10 mm) joints, a common rule of thumb is about 7–8 cubic feet (0.20–0.23 m³) of mortar per 1,000 bricks. The exact amount depends on your joint thickness and workmanship, so the calculator estimates mortar volume for your specific inputs.

What waste percentage should I use?

For simple straight walls, 5–7% waste is usually enough. For more complex projects with many cuts, corners, or decorative patterns, 10–15% is safer. The default 10% is a good starting point for most residential work.

Can I use this for blockwork or pavers?

Yes. As long as you know the unit dimensions (length, height, thickness) and joint thickness, you can treat blocks or pavers as “bricks” in the calculator. Just be sure to select Custom size and enter the correct measurements.

Does this replace structural design?

No. This tool is for material estimation only. It does not check structural capacity, reinforcement, or code compliance. For load-bearing walls or critical structures, consult a qualified engineer or architect.