Brick 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.