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Brick Calculator: How Many Bricks for a Wall
Enter the wall length and height, the brick size and the mortar joint. The calculator counts bricks per square meter, subtracts openings, adds waste and estimates the mortar volume for single or double skin walls.
How the brick count is calculated
Each brick, together with the mortar on one bed joint and one end joint, occupies a rectangle on the wall face of (brick length + joint) × (brick height + joint). Dividing one square meter, which is one million square millimeters, by that area gives bricks per square meter. With a 215 by 65 mm brick and a 10 mm joint, the rectangle is 225 by 75 mm, or 16,875 mm², which gives about 59.3 bricks per square meter. Many suppliers round this to 60.
Multiply bricks per square meter by the net wall area (gross area minus openings) and by the number of skins for a double thickness wall. Then add the waste allowance and round up.
Estimating mortar
The solid mortar volume is the volume of the wall minus the volume of the bricks in it. For a single skin of the standard brick, a square meter of wall holds about 0.1025 m³ in total and about 0.0849 m³ of brick, which leaves roughly 0.0176 m³ of mortar. That is the amount that sits in the joints once the wall is built.
You cannot order that figure directly. Mortar is lost in mixing, on the board and in the bed joints that are squeezed out. Dry sand and cement also occupy more volume loose than they do once wet, so builders order more than the solid figure suggests. Ask the supplier for guidance based on your mix ratio.
Practical points
- Use real brick sizes. Nominal and actual sizes differ, and imperial bricks (for example 8 by 2 1/4 by 3 5/8 inches) must be converted to millimeters here.
- Check the joint. Bed and perpend joints are often 10 mm in metric work and 3/8 inch in the United States. A wider joint reduces the count.
- Count corners and returns. They add cutting waste, so use a higher percentage for small walls with many corners.
- Order from one batch. Colours and sizes vary slightly between production runs.
Limits and safety
This tool is for estimating and learning. It does not design a wall. Load-bearing capacity, wall ties, damp-proof courses, lintels over openings, movement joints and wind loading are governed by local building codes and must be settled by an engineer or a qualified bricklayer or builder. Special bonds such as header courses, and decorative features, change the number of bricks that show on the face. Cavity walls need the two leaves calculated separately and may use different bricks or blocks.
Worked example
A 10 m by 2 m single-skin wall with a 2 m² opening, standard 215 by 65 by 102.5 mm bricks, 10 mm joints and 5% waste.
Inputs
| Wall units | Metric (meters) |
|---|---|
| Wall length (meters or feet) | 10 |
| Wall height (meters or feet) | 2 |
| Openings (square meters or square feet) | 2 |
| Brick length | 215 mm |
| Brick height | 65 mm |
| Brick width (wall thickness of one skin) | 102.5 mm |
| Mortar joint | 10 mm |
| Wall thickness | Single skin (one brick wide) |
| Waste allowance | 5 % |
Result
1,067 for the wall area plus a 5% allowance.
| Wall area to build | 18.00 m² |
|---|---|
| Bricks per m² (all skins) | 59.3 |
| Bricks without waste | 1,067 |
| Mortar volume (solid) | 0.317 m³ |
- Mortar is shown as the solid volume that fills the joints. Dry mix, waste and sand bulking add to what you must order.
Estimating note: Quantities and ratings here are estimates for planning and learning. Products, local codes and site conditions differ, so check manufacturer data and local regulations, and use a qualified professional for electrical, structural or safety-critical work.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square meter of wall?
With a standard 215 by 65 mm brick and 10 mm mortar joints, a single skin wall uses about 59 bricks per square meter. Other brick sizes and joints change the count.
How many bricks do I need for a double skin wall?
Calculate the single skin count for the face area and double it. This calculator does that when you choose the double skin wall thickness option.
How much extra should I order for breakage?
Around 5 percent is a typical planning allowance, and 10 percent suits small walls with many cuts and corners. Fragile or handmade bricks may need more.
Do I subtract doors and windows?
Yes, subtract the area of each opening from the wall area, but remember that the bricks around the opening still need cutting, so keep some waste.
Why does the calculator show only solid mortar volume?
The solid volume is a reliable geometric figure. The amount of dry mix to order depends on your mix, wastage and the way the supplier measures sand.
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References and sources
- Brick manufacturers publish work sizes and recommended joint thicknesses; use the product data sheet for the brick you specify.