Construction Tool

Brick Calculator

Calculate how many bricks, mortar bags, and sand you need for any wall. Supports multiple brick sizes, mortar joints, window/door openings, and cost estimation.

6 Brick Sizes-Opening Deductions-Mortar & Sand-Cost Estimate

Brick Calculator

Openings (doors/windows)

Brick Sizes & Coverage Reference

Brick TypeDimensions (inches)Bricks per Sq FtWeight Each (lbs)
Standard8 x 3-5/8 x 2-1/46.554.5
Modular7-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 2-1/46.864.2
Queen7-5/8 x 2-3/4 x 2-3/45.763.8
King9-5/8 x 2-3/4 x 2-3/44.575.1
Engineer8 x 3-5/8 x 2-13/165.735.0
Closure8 x 3-5/8 x 3-5/84.506.5

Planning Your Brick Project

Accurate brick estimation prevents costly over-ordering and project delays from shortages. The biggest factors are brick size, mortar joint width, and wall openings. A standard 3/8-inch mortar joint versus a 1/2-inch joint changes coverage by about 5%. Always measure openings precisely - a single large window can reduce your brick count by 100+ bricks.

Order all bricks from the same production lot to ensure consistent color. Different lots can have noticeable color variation, especially with red and brown bricks. Most suppliers will accept returns of unused full pallets, so it is better to order slightly more than to run short mid-project.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bricks do I need per square foot?⌄
For standard modular bricks with 3/8-inch mortar joints, you need approximately 6.86 bricks per square foot of wall area. This number varies by brick size and mortar joint width. Our calculator handles different brick types automatically.
How do I calculate bricks for a wall?⌄
Measure wall length x height for total area. Subtract door and window openings. Multiply net area by bricks per square foot (about 7 for standard bricks). Add 10% for waste. A 20 ft x 8 ft wall with one 3x5 ft window needs about (160 - 15) x 6.86 x 1.10 = 1,094 bricks.
How many bags of mortar do I need per 1,000 bricks?⌄
Approximately 7 bags of 80-lb Type S mortar per 1,000 bricks for standard joints. Type N mortar uses slightly less. This assumes 3/8-inch joints. Wider joints use more mortar proportionally.
How much does a brick cost?⌄
Standard red clay bricks cost $0.50 to $0.90 each. Specialty bricks (face brick, fire brick, thin brick veneer) range from $1 to $4 each. Buying by the pallet (typically 500 bricks) usually reduces per-unit cost by 10-20%.
What is the standard size of a brick?⌄
A standard modular brick in the US is 7-5/8 x 3-5/8 x 2-1/4 inches (actual). With mortar, the nominal size is 8 x 4 x 2-2/3 inches. Other sizes include Queen, King, Engineer, and Closure bricks.
How much sand do I need for bricklaying?⌄
Approximately 1 ton of sand per 1,000 standard bricks. Sand is mixed with cement and lime to make mortar. A typical Type S mortar mix ratio is 1 part cement : 0.5 part lime : 4.5 parts sand by volume.
How do I account for waste when ordering bricks?⌄
Add 5% for simple straight walls, 10% for standard projects with some cutting (recommended default), and 15% for complex patterns, arches, or projects with many corners and angles.
What is the difference between single and double wythe walls?⌄
Single wythe is one brick thick (3-5/8 inches). Double wythe is two bricks thick with mortar between. Double wythe uses roughly twice the bricks. Most modern residential construction uses single wythe veneer over a structural frame.

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