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Concrete & MasonryBrick Calculator — How Many Bricks Do I Need?
Enter the wall’s length and height to estimate the number of standard modular bricks, mortar joints included, with a little extra for cuts and breakage.
How this calculator works
We figure wall area (length × height) and multiply by about 7 modular bricks per square foot — standard once 3⁄8-inch mortar joints are included — then add 5% for cuts and breakage.
What changes how much you need
- About 7 modular bricks cover 1 sq ft of wall face with standard joints.
- Brick sizes vary (modular, queen, king) — confirm "bricks per sq ft" for yours.
- Order 5–10% extra for corner cuts, openings, and breakage.
- Subtract large openings (doors, big windows) for a tighter estimate.
- Bricks ship by the pallet — usually about 500 modular bricks — so round your order up to whole pallets.
Bricks needed by wall size (modular brick)
Counts use about 7 modular bricks per square foot of wall face. The last column adds the 5% waste allowance this calculator applies; go to 10% if the wall has many corners, arches, or openings to cut around.
| Project | Wall area | Bricks (bare count) | With 5% waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knee / planter wall · 12 × 3 ft | 36 sq ft | 252 | 265 |
| Garden wall · 10 × 4 ft | 40 sq ft | 280 | 294 |
| Interior accent wall · 8 × 8 ft | 64 sq ft | 448 | 470 |
| Single-storey veneer · 20 × 8 ft | 160 sq ft | 1,120 | 1,176 |
| Long veneer run · 30 × 8 ft | 240 sq ft | 1,680 | 1,764 |
| Two-storey gable end · 24 × 18 ft | 432 sq ft | 3,024 | 3,175 |
Bricks per square foot by brick size
Figures assume a 3⁄8-inch mortar joint and a single wythe of wall face. Sizes vary a little by plant, so confirm the "bricks per square foot" figure on your supplier’s spec sheet before ordering thousands — a 0.3 difference over 3,000 bricks is more than a pallet.
| Brick type | Nominal size (h × d × l) | Bricks per sq ft | Bricks per 100 sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular (the common one) | 2⅔ × 4 × 8 in | 6.75 (round to 7) | 675 |
| Standard | 2¼ × 3⅝ × 8 in | 6.55 | 655 |
| Queen | 2¾ × 3⅛ × 8 in | 5.75 | 575 |
| King | 2⅝ × 2¾ × 9⅝ in | 4.6 | 460 |
| Engineer modular | 3⅕ × 4 × 8 in | 5.6 | 560 |
| Roman | 2 × 4 × 12 in | 6.0 | 600 |
| Norman | 2⅔ × 4 × 12 in | 4.5 | 450 |
| Utility | 4 × 4 × 12 in | 3.0 | 300 |
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks per square foot?
About 7 standard modular bricks per square foot of wall, including the mortar joints.
How much extra should I order for waste?
5–10%. Corners, cuts, and the odd cracked brick add up quickly.
Does this include mortar?
The count assumes standard 3⁄8-inch joints. For mortar, plan about 7 bags per 1,000 bricks.
How many bricks do I need for a 20 × 8 ft wall?
A 20 × 8 ft wall is 160 sq ft, which at about 7 modular bricks per square foot is roughly 1,120 bricks — 1,176 with 5% waste. Enter your own wall length and height above for any size.
How much mortar and sand do I need for 1,000 bricks?
The mason’s rule of thumb is about 7 bags of 70-lb masonry cement plus roughly 1 ton (about 1 cubic yard) of masonry sand per 1,000 modular bricks. If you buy pre-blended mortar mix instead, where the sand is already in the bag, one 80-lb bag lays roughly 30–40 bricks — about 25–35 bags per 1,000.
How many bricks are on a pallet?
Usually about 500 modular bricks, though plants ship anywhere from roughly 450 to 535 per pallet. Divide your brick count by the pallet size your supplier actually quotes so you are not paying for a part pallet, and check the weight: 500 modular bricks run about 2,000–2,300 lb.
Do I subtract windows and doors from the brick count?
For any opening bigger than about 10 sq ft, yes. Measure the whole wall, subtract the opening areas, then add the waste allowance back on — cut bricks around openings are exactly why the 5–10% waste factor exists.
How many bricks per square metre?
About 72–74 modular bricks per square metre of wall face (6.75 per sq ft × 10.76). UK-standard 215 × 65 mm bricks work out to 60 per square metre in a single-skin wall, or 120 for a double skin.