Brick Calculator

Calculate how many bricks you need for a wall, fireplace, patio, or any masonry project. Get brick count, mortar bags needed, and cost estimate for standard, modular, and queen brick sizes.

🧱 Masonry🏗️ Bricks per sq ft x Wall Area x (1 + Waste%) = Total Bricks
Wall length (ft)
Wall height (ft)
Brick type
Mortar joint size (in)
Waste factor (%)
Please enter valid values.

Formula & Reference

VariableFormulaUnits
Brick CalculatorBricks per sq ft x Wall Area x (1 + Waste%) = Total Bricksbricks + mortar

Step-by-Step Examples

Example 1
8-ft Garden Wall

20 ft x 8 ft, standard brick, 5% waste.

  • Area = 160 sq ft
  • Bricks = 160 x 6.75 x 1.05 = 1,134
  • Mortar = 160/25 = 7 bags
✓ 1,134 bricks, 7 mortar bags
Example 2
Brick Patio

12x16 ft patio, flat-laid standard brick.

  • Area = 192 sq ft
  • Flat-laid: approx 4.5 bricks/sq ft = 864 bricks
  • Dry-set (no mortar) common for patios
✓ ~864 bricks
Example 3
Fireplace Face

4 ft wide x 6 ft tall, standard brick.

  • Area = 24 sq ft
  • Bricks = 24 x 6.75 x 1.05 = 170
  • Firebox interior requires refractory mortar
✓ 170 bricks

Real-World Applications

Common Mistakes to Avoid

⚠️
Not accounting for openings

Subtract windows and door openings from wall area before calculating. A 3x5 window removes 15 sq ft, saving about 101 standard bricks.

⚠️
Using the wrong mortar type

Type S for exterior and below-grade. Type N for interior. Refractory mortar for fireplaces and chimneys. Using interior mortar on exterior work causes rapid failure.

⚠️
Miscounting brick size

Standard brick refers to nominal size including mortar joint. Don't calculate manually from actual brick dimensions - use bricks-per-square-foot tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bricks per square foot?
Standard brick with 3/8-inch joints: 6.75/sq ft. Modular: 7/sq ft. Queen: 5.1/sq ft. Engineer: 5.8/sq ft.
How many mortar bags?
One 80-lb bag covers approx 25 sq ft of standard brick wall. About 4 bags per 100 sq ft.
Do I need a permit for a brick wall?
Usually yes for walls over 4 ft, near property lines, or supporting structures. Check local codes; tall brick walls often require engineering review.
What is a wythe?
A single wythe is one brick thick (about 3.5 to 3.75 inches). Residential brick veneer is typically single-wythe over a wood frame. Full structural brick is double-wythe.
How to estimate curved walls?
Measure the arc length x height = area. The bricks-per-square-foot rate is the same as a straight wall. Only the layout is more complex.

Related Construction Calculators