Brick Calculator

What Is the Brick Calculator?

This calculator estimates bricks and mortar for any brick wall or veneer -- computing bricks per square foot directly from your specific brick's face dimensions and mortar joint thickness, rather than relying on a single generic "7 bricks per square foot" rule that only holds for one particular brick size.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter your wall area and subtract any door or window openings. In "Advanced," adjust the brick's length and height and the mortar joint thickness if your brick differs from the standard modular size (8in x 2.25in face with a 3/8in joint) already filled in.

The Brick Count Formula

Adding the joint thickness to both the brick's length and height accounts for the mortar between bricks, since each brick effectively "occupies" a footprint slightly larger than its own physical size once mortar joints are included.

Worked Example

Practical Uses

Use this for any brick wall, veneer, or planter -- the same coverage math applies whether it's a freestanding wall or a wall facade. For a block (CMU) wall instead of brick, see the Concrete Block Calculator.

Measuring Wall Area and Openings

Measure each wall's length and height, multiply to get its area, and add the walls together. For each door or window opening, multiply its width by height and subtract that area from the total. Gable ends need triangle areas: half of the base times the height. Many people skip small openings, but a wall with several large windows can shrink the brick need noticeably, so it pays to subtract them properly.

Worked Example With Openings

Consider a hypothetical garden wall of 20 feet by 6 feet, so 120 square feet, with one 3 by 4 foot opening (12 square feet). The net area is 108 square feet. With standard modular brick at 6.55 bricks per square foot and 10 percent waste, the estimate is 108 x 6.55 x 1.1, which is about 778 bricks. Without subtracting the opening, you would have ordered around 865, roughly 87 bricks more than needed.

Why Joint Thickness Matters

Thicker mortar joints spread bricks farther apart, so fewer bricks fit in a given area. A 3/8 inch joint is the modular standard, but a thicker joint of 1/2 inch will drop the count slightly and a thinner joint will raise it. If you are matching an existing wall, measure the real joint and brick size on the old wall rather than assuming the standard.

Interpreting the Mortar Estimate

Mortar quantity depends on joint thickness, brick size, bond pattern, and the mason's technique. Treat the bag estimate as a guide and buy a little extra, because leftover unopened bags can often be returned while running short mid-job stalls work. Mixing consistent batches also matters for color and strength, so it is better to have enough on hand.

Common Mistakes

• Confusing brick face with brick thickness. The count depends on the face you see, not the depth of the brick.
• Using the veneer number for a solid wall. A single-layer veneer needs one brick thickness; a double-wythe solid wall needs twice as many bricks per square foot of wall.
• Forgetting the bond pattern. Some patterns, such as those with headers, use more bricks or have more cuts.
• Ignoring corners. Corners and arches involve more cutting than plain field brick.

Considerations for Structural Walls

Load-bearing brick walls, tall freestanding walls, and walls that hold back soil have structural requirements that a quantity calculator does not address. Consult local building codes and a qualified mason or engineer for those.

Frequently Asked Questions