Concrete & masonry
Brick Calculator
Estimate full-size clay bricks, supplier packs, 80 lb mortar bags, waste, and optional material cost from wall dimensions.
Estimated order quantity
0 bricks to buy
- Brick module
- Waste and rounding
- One full-size clay brick wythe; specialty bonds, corners, arches and accent courses require a separate layout.
Planning estimate only. Verify product specifications, site conditions, and supplier purchase increments before ordering.
How the brick estimate works
The wall-area method subtracts openings from the gross wall face, then divides that net area by the brick module. The module is the actual brick face length and height plus one mortar joint in each direction. Waste is applied visibly and the final count rounds up to whole bricks.
Bricks per ft²: 144 ÷ [(brick length + joint) × (brick height + joint)]
Bricks to buy: round up[net area × bricks per ft² × (1 + waste)]
Mortar bags: round up[bricks to buy ÷ entered bag yield]
Worked example
A 10 × 10 ft wall with modular 2.25 × 7.625 in brick faces and 3/8 in joints has a 21 in² module, or 6.857 bricks per ft². The exact quantity is 685.714 bricks, which rounds to 686 before waste. Applying 5% to the exact quantity gives 720 bricks to buy and 20 whole 80 lb mortar bags at 37 bricks per bag.
Before ordering
- Confirm the manufacturer’s actual brick face dimensions, joint specification, package quantity, color lot and availability.
- Increase the allowance for extensive cuts, matching, breakage, corners, returns, arches or nonstandard bond patterns.
- The mortar yield is approximate and changes with joint depth, profile, workmanship, loss and product formulation.
- This is a quantity estimate, not structural or veneer design. Verify anchors, flashing, drainage, lintels, support, movement joints, code and permits separately.
Technical references: Brick Industry Association Technical Note 10 recommends the wall-area method and explicit allowances for bond, breakage and waste. QUIKRETE Mason Mix publishes a yield of up to 37 standard bricks per 80 lb bag. Product documentation and the project specification control.
Brick calculator FAQ
How many modular bricks are in one square foot?
With actual 2.25 × 7.625 in faces and a 3/8 in joint, the formula gives about 6.857 bricks per ft² before waste.
Should openings be subtracted?
Subtract large doors and windows. For small openings, the saved whole-brick quantity may be offset by cuts and layout, so keep an appropriate waste allowance.
Does this work for thin brick?
No. It is intended for full-size clay brick face-area estimating. Thin-brick cartons, corner pieces and adhesive or mortar coverage use product-specific purchase units.
How many mortar bags do I need?
The starting assumption is up to 37 standard bricks per 80 lb bag. Enter the yield printed on the exact product and allow for jobsite loss.