Brick Calculator
Wall dimensions in, masonry out: unit count by face area (unit + mortar joint), mortar bags at typical yields, and waste allowance. Openings subtract automatically; wythes scale single-skin walls to double-skin. Choose a standard brick or block, or enter a custom unit size.
The method
Units per wall = wall face area ÷ module area, where the module is (unit length + joint) × (unit height + joint). A modular brick (7⅝" × 2¼") with ⅜" joints occupies an 8" × 2⅝" module ≈ 6.78 units per square foot of wall.
Worked example: 40 × 8 ft wall, no openings → 320 ft² × 6.78 ≈ 2,170 bricks, about 62 bags of mortar before waste.
Standard unit modules
| Unit | Actual face (in) | Module w/ ⅜" joint | Per ft² of wall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular brick | 7⅝ × 2¼ | 8 × 2⅝ | ≈ 6.8 |
| Standard brick | 8 × 2¼ | 8⅜ × 2⅝ | ≈ 6.5 |
| King size brick | 7⅝ × 2⅝ | 8 × 3 | ≈ 6.0 |
| CMU 8×8×16 | 15⅝ × 7⅝ | 16 × 8 | ≈ 1.125 |
Frequently asked questions
- How many bricks per square foot?
- About 6.8 modular bricks per ft² of single-wythe wall at ⅜" joints; roughly 7 per ft² is a safe ordering figure with waste.
- How much mortar do I need?
- One 80 lb bag of type N lays roughly 35 modular bricks or 12 CMU blocks. The calculator converts your unit count into bags using these yields.