Brick Calculator

Calculate the exact number of bricks and mortar bags needed for your masonry project. Get instant material estimates including standard waste buffers.

Wall length feet Please enter a valid length

Wall height feet Please enter a valid height

Brick size (face dimensions) Assumes a standard 3/8" mortar joint.

Waste buffer % Extra bricks for cuts and breakages Please enter a valid percentage

Calculation Results

Bricks to order

— bricks

Includes the requested waste buffer.

How to use this brick calculator

Measure the wall dimensions

Input the total length and height of the wall you are building in feet. If you have windows or doors, subtract their square footage from your total after calculating.

Select your brick size

Choose the type of brick you are using. Standard US and Modular are the most common for residential construction. The calculator automatically factors in a 3/8" mortar joint.

Set your waste buffer

A 5% waste buffer is standard for simple walls. If you are building a complex structure with many cuts and corners, increase this to 10%.

Review the material list

The tool instantly calculates the exact number of bricks to order and estimates how many standard 70 lb bags of mortar you will need.

Standard Modular Brick (8" x 2.25") Estimation

Wall Area	Waste Factor	Base Bricks (No Waste)	Total Bricks to Order
50 sq ft	5%	343	361 Bricks
50 sq ft	10%	343	378 Bricks
50 sq ft	15%	343	395 Bricks
50 sq ft	20%	343	412 Bricks
100 sq ft	5%	685	720 Bricks
100 sq ft	10%	685	754 Bricks
100 sq ft	15%	685	788 Bricks
100 sq ft	20%	685	822 Bricks
250 sq ft	5%	1,713	1,799 Bricks
250 sq ft	10%	1,713	1,885 Bricks
250 sq ft	15%	1,713	1,970 Bricks
250 sq ft	20%	1,713	2,056 Bricks
500 sq ft	5%	3,425	3,597 Bricks
500 sq ft	10%	3,425	3,768 Bricks
500 sq ft	15%	3,425	3,939 Bricks
500 sq ft	20%	3,425	4,110 Bricks
1000 sq ft	5%	6,850	7,193 Bricks
1000 sq ft	10%	6,850	7,536 Bricks
1000 sq ft	15%	6,850	7,878 Bricks
1000 sq ft	20%	6,850	8,220 Bricks
2000 sq ft	5%	13,700	14,385 Bricks
2000 sq ft	10%	13,700	15,071 Bricks
2000 sq ft	15%	13,700	15,755 Bricks
2000 sq ft	20%	13,700	16,440 Bricks

Frequently asked questions

How do you calculate the number of bricks needed?

To calculate the number of bricks, you first find the square footage of your wall (length × height). Then, you divide that wall area by the surface area of a single brick (including the mortar joint). Finally, you multiply that result by a waste factor (like 1.05 for 5% waste).

How many bricks are in a square foot?

It depends on the size of the brick you are using. For a Standard US brick (8" × 2.25") with a 3/8" mortar joint, there are approximately 6.55 bricks per square foot. For a Modular brick (7.625" × 2.25"), there are about 6.86 bricks per square foot.

How much mortar do I need for my bricks?

As a general rule of thumb, one standard 70-pound bag of mortar mix will lay about 100 to 120 standard bricks when using a 3/8" joint. Our calculator uses a conservative estimate of 120 bricks per bag to help you plan your purchase.

Why do I need to add a waste factor?

Bricks are brittle and can break during shipping or while being unloaded at the job site. Furthermore, you will need to cut bricks in half to stagger the vertical joints at the ends of your wall. A 5% waste buffer ensures you don't run short and have to halt your project to buy more materials.

About this calculator

This brick calculator helps masons, contractors, and DIY builders generate an accurate material takeoff for single-wythe brick walls. It automates the complex math required to account for the mortar joints, giving you an exact purchasing list in seconds.

The core mathematical formula used by this tool is:

Brick Area (sq in) = (Brick Width + Mortar Joint) × (Brick Height + Mortar Joint)
Brick Area (sq ft) = Brick Area (sq in) ÷ 144

Base Bricks = Wall Area (sq ft) ÷ Brick Area (sq ft)
Total Bricks = Base Bricks × (1 + (Waste % ÷ 100))

This calculator assumes a standard 3/8-inch (0.375") mortar joint, which is the industry standard for modern bricklaying. If you are building a double-wythe wall (two bricks thick for structural support), simply multiply the final brick and mortar estimates by two.