Brick Calculator
Calculate how many bricks you need for your wall. Enter wall dimensions, brick size, and mortar thickness to get accurate quantities with waste allowance.
Brick calculation is straightforward once you know the formula. First, find the wall area by multiplying length and height. Then calculate the area of one brick including mortar. Divide wall area by brick area to get bricks per square meter, then multiply by total wall area.
The Formula
Wall Area = Length × Height
Brick Area (with mortar) = (Length + Mortar) × (Height + Mortar)
Bricks per m² = 1 ÷ Brick Area
Total Bricks = Wall Area × Bricks per m² × (1 + Waste %)
Always add a waste allowance. For simple walls, 5% is enough. For complex shapes with cuts around windows and doors, use 10%. If you are new to bricklaying, 15% waste is safer - broken bricks and bad cuts add up quickly.
| Brick Type | Dimensions (L × W × H) | Bricks per m² |
|---|---|---|
| Modular (US) | 194 × 92 × 57 mm | 54 |
| Standard (UK) | 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm | 44 |
| Indian Standard | 190 × 90 × 90 mm | 50 |
| Australian | 230 × 110 × 76 mm | 40 |
| Jumbo | 203 × 92 × 70 mm | 47 |
Bricks per m² assumes 10mm mortar joints. Actual coverage varies slightly based on workmanship and mortar thickness.
| Mortar Mix | Cement : Sand | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Type N | 1 : 6 | General purpose, above ground |
| Type S | 1 : 4.5 | Below grade, foundations, retaining walls |
| Type M | 1 : 3 | High strength, heavy loads |
| Type O | 1 : 8 | Interior, non-load bearing |
Mortar Quantity Guide
For standard brickwork with 10mm joints, expect to use about 0.02-0.025 m³ of mortar per square meter of wall. This translates to roughly 1 bag of cement (50kg) per 10-12 m² of single-brick wall, or about 6-8 wheelbarrows of sand.
| Component | Unit | Average Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Common bricks | per brick | $0.50 - $0.80 |
| Face bricks | per brick | $1.00 - $2.50 |
| Engineering bricks | per brick | $1.50 - $3.00 |
| Mortar materials | per m² | $3 - $5 |
| Labor (professional) | per m² | $40 - $80 |
Costs vary significantly by region, brick type, and wall complexity. DIY saves labor costs but factor in tool rental and your time.
How do I measure my wall for bricks?
Measure the total length and height of the wall in meters. For walls with windows or doors, calculate the total wall area first, then subtract the area of openings. For example, a 5m × 3m wall with a 2m × 1.5m window: (5 × 3) - (2 × 1.5) = 12 m².
What is the standard mortar joint thickness?
Standard mortar joints are 10mm thick. This applies to both horizontal bed joints and vertical perpend joints. Thicker joints weaken the wall and use more mortar. Thinner joints are harder to lay accurately and may not bond properly.
How much waste should I allow for?
For simple rectangular walls with few cuts, 5% waste is adequate. For walls with many openings (windows, doors) requiring brick cuts, use 10%. If you are a beginner or working on complex shapes like curves or arches, allow 15% waste.
How many bricks do I need for a 10×10 foot wall?
A 10×10 foot wall is about 9.3 m². Using standard modular bricks (54 per m²), you need roughly 500 bricks. Adding 10% waste brings this to 550 bricks. For a double-brick thick wall, double these quantities.
Can I use this calculator for pavers?
Yes, the same principle applies. Enter the area to be paved and the paver dimensions. However, paver calculations typically use lower waste factors (3-5%) since cutting is less common. Also, pavers are laid on sand bedding, not mortar.
Other Free Tools
Brick Bond Calculator
Brick Bond Calculator – Calculate Bricks Needed for Any Wall Pattern
Concrete Mix Ratio Calculator
Concrete Mix Ratio Calculator – Calculate Material Quantities
Concrete Volume Calculator
Concrete Volume Calculator – How Much Concrete Do You Need?
Mortar Volume Calculator
Mortar Volume Calculator – Calculate Mortar Needed for Bricklaying & Tiling
Plastering Calculator
Plastering Calculator – How Much Plaster Do You Need?
Sand Quantity Calculator
Sand Quantity Calculator – Calculate How Much Sand You Need for Construction