Brick Calculator
Calculate how many bricks, mortar bags, and sand you need for a wall or masonry project.
Standard is 3/8" (0.375"). Common range: 1/4" to 1/2".
About This Calculator
This brick calculator helps you estimate how many bricks, bags of mortar, and cubic feet of sand you need for a wall or masonry project. Enter your wall dimensions, choose a brick size, and specify any openings like doors or windows to deduct from the total area.
Brick sizes:Standard bricks measure 8" long by 2.25" tall (with a 3.625" depth). Modular bricks are slightly shorter at 7.625" long. King-size bricks are larger at 9.625" long by 2.75" tall, covering more area per brick and reducing labor time. If you are using a non-standard brick, select the custom option and enter your brick's face dimensions.
Mortar types and joints: The standard mortar joint width is 3/8 inch, though joints can range from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch depending on the look and structural requirements. Type N mortar is the most common for above-grade exterior walls. Type S is stronger and suitable for below-grade and structural applications. Type M is the strongest and used for foundations and retaining walls.
Bond patterns: The most common bond pattern is running bond, where each row is offset by half a brick. Stack bond places bricks directly on top of each other for a modern look but is weaker structurally. Flemish and English bonds alternate headers and stretchers for added strength and visual interest. This calculator assumes a standard single-wythe running bond pattern.
Waste considerations: A 10% waste allowance is standard for most projects and accounts for breakage during cutting, transport damage, and natural variation. Complex layouts with many cuts (like around windows and corners) may require 15% or more. Simple straight walls with few cuts may only need 5%. Always order all your bricks at once from the same lot to ensure consistent color, as brick color can vary between production batches.
Last updated: April 21, 2026· Reviewed by the CalcNeeds Team
About This Calculator
This brick calculator tells you how many bricks and how much mortar you need for a wall, veneer, patio, or any masonry project. Enter the wall dimensions, select your brick size, and the tool returns the total brick count, mortar bags, and sand volume — with a built-in waste factor so you order enough the first time.
Bricks are one of the oldest and most durable building materials, but estimating quantities by hand is tedious and error-prone. Getting the count wrong means either a costly second delivery or pallets of leftover brick sitting in your yard. This calculator eliminates the guesswork by using the exact brick dimensions and mortar joint thickness you specify.
The results work for both structural brick walls and single-wythe veneer applications. For paver patios and walkways laid without mortar, set the mortar joint to zero and the calculator will adjust accordingly.
Standard brick sizes and dimensions
The most common brick in the United States is the modular brick, which measures 3-5/8 inches wide by 2-1/4 inches tall by 7-5/8 inches long. With a standard 3/8-inch mortar joint, a modular brick occupies a nominal 4 x 2-2/3 x 8 inch space, making layout math straightforward.
Other common sizes include the standard brick(3-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 8 inches), the king size(2-3/4 x 2-5/8 x 9-5/8 inches), and the queen size (2-3/4 x 2-3/4 x 7-5/8 inches). King-size bricks are popular in the southern United States because they cover more wall area per unit, reducing labor costs. Always confirm the actual dimensions with your supplier, as sizes vary slightly between manufacturers.
How many bricks per square foot?
With modular bricks and a 3/8-inch mortar joint, you need approximately 6.75 bricks per square foot of wall face for a running bond pattern. King-size bricks cover more area and require only about 4.5 bricks per square foot. These numbers assume a single-wythe (one brick thick) wall.
For a double-wythe wall (two bricks thick, common in structural walls), double the per-square-foot count. A double-wythe wall with modular bricks needs roughly 13.5 bricks per square foot. The calculator handles this automatically when you select the wall thickness.
Always add a waste factor of 5-10% to your order. Cuts at corners and openings, breakage during delivery, and occasional defective bricks all eat into your supply. For complex designs with many cuts (arches, angled walls), bump the waste factor to 15%.
Mortar joint calculation and types
Mortar fills the horizontal (bed) joints and vertical (head) joints between bricks. The standard joint thickness is 3/8 inch, though 1/2-inch joints are also common. Thicker joints use more mortar but are more forgiving of slight variations in brick size.
For modular bricks with 3/8-inch joints, plan on roughly 7 bags of 80-lb mortar mix per 100 square feet of wall. Each 80-lb bag of Type S or Type N mortar yields about 14 square feet of coverage for standard single-wythe brickwork. You will also need roughly 18 cubic feet of sand per 100 square feet.
Type N mortar is the most common choice for above-grade exterior walls and interior load-bearing walls. Type S mortar is stronger and better suited for below-grade work, retaining walls, and areas subject to high wind. Type M is the strongest and is used for foundations and heavy load-bearing structures.
Running bond vs. stack bond patterns
Running bond is the most common brick pattern. Each row offsets by half a brick from the row below, creating the classic staggered look. This pattern is structurally strong because the joints never line up vertically, and it minimizes waste since most cuts are simple half-brick cuts at the ends of rows.
Stack bond (also called jack bond) aligns every brick directly above the one below, creating a modern grid appearance. While visually striking, stack bond is structurally weaker because the vertical joints align. It is typically used only for veneer applications over a structural backing, not for load-bearing walls. Stack bond also requires horizontal joint reinforcement every 16 inches per most building codes.
Other patterns include Flemish bond(alternating headers and stretchers in each course), English bond (alternating rows of headers and stretchers), and herringbone (bricks laid at 45-degree angles, popular for patios and walkways). Decorative patterns generally increase brick waste by 5-10% due to the additional cuts required.
Brick pavers vs. wall bricks
Brick pavers and wall bricks are manufactured differently. Pavers are denser, harder, and rated for vehicular and foot traffic. They are typically 2-3/8 inches thick and are laid flat over a compacted gravel and sand base without mortar. Standard paver sizes include 4x8 inches and 3-7/8 x 7-7/8 inches.
For paver patios, you need approximately 4.5 standard pavers per square foot (for 4x8 pavers laid in a running bond). Pavers are set on a 1-inch sand bed over 4-6 inches of compacted gravel base, and polymeric sand is swept into the joints after installation. Unlike wall bricks, pavers do not use mortar, which makes them easier to replace individually if one cracks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks do I need per square foot?
About 6.75 modular bricks per square foot with a 3/8-inch mortar joint in a running bond pattern. King-size bricks require about 4.5 per square foot. For a double-wythe (two-brick-thick) wall, double these numbers.
How many bricks do I need for a 10x10 wall?
A 10x10 foot wall is 100 square feet. At 6.75 modular bricks per square foot, you need 675 bricks. Add 5-10% for waste, bringing the total to about 710-745 bricks. You will also need approximately 7 bags of 80-lb mortar mix.
How much mortar do I need per brick?
One 80-lb bag of mortar mix lays approximately 30-35 modular bricks (about 14 square feet of wall). For 100 square feet of single-wythe wall, plan on 7 bags of mortar and roughly 18 cubic feet of sand.
What is the standard brick size in the US?
The standard modular brick is 3-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 7-5/8 inches. With a 3/8-inch mortar joint, it fills a nominal 4 x 2-2/3 x 8 inch space. Other common sizes include king (2-3/4 x 2-5/8 x 9-5/8) and queen (2-3/4 x 2-3/4 x 7-5/8).
How much does a brick wall cost per square foot?
Brick veneer walls typically cost $10-$18 per square foot for materials and $15-$30 per square foot installed. A full double-wythe structural brick wall costs $20-$45 per square foot installed. Material costs alone run roughly $0.50-$1.00 per brick plus mortar.
What is the difference between running bond and stack bond?
Running bond offsets each row by half a brick, creating a staggered pattern that is structurally strong. Stack bond aligns bricks directly above each other in a grid pattern. Stack bond looks modern but is weaker and requires reinforcement — it is only appropriate for veneer over a structural backing.
How many bricks are on a pallet?
A standard pallet holds about 500 modular bricks and weighs roughly 2,000 lbs. King-size pallets hold about 400 bricks. Pallet sizes vary by manufacturer, so confirm with your supplier. Buying full pallets is almost always cheaper per brick than buying by the piece.
How thick should mortar joints be?
The standard mortar joint thickness is 3/8 inch. Joints of 1/2 inch are also acceptable and are easier for beginners because they are more forgiving of slight brick-size variations. Thinner joints (1/4 inch) are sometimes used for a tighter, more modern look but require very consistent brick dimensions.
How do I calculate waste factor for bricks?
Add 5% for simple rectangular walls with few openings. Add 10% for walls with windows, doors, or corners that require cuts. Add 15% for complex designs like arches, angled walls, or decorative patterns such as herringbone or Flemish bond.
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