Brick Calculator

Category: Housing/Building
- April 21, 2025
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Calculate the number of bricks needed for your wall or project. Enter your wall dimensions, brick type, and mortar specifications to get accurate material estimates.

Wall Dimensions

ft
ft

Brick & Mortar Specifications

in
in

Openings

1
ft
ft

Additional Options

%

About Brick Masonry

Brick masonry is one of the oldest and most durable construction methods. Properly estimating materials is essential for project planning and budgeting.

Common Brick Types & Sizes
  • Standard: 3.5" × 2.25" × 8" - The most common brick size in the USA
  • Modular: 3.5" × 2.25" × 7.5" - Designed to fit with 3/8" mortar joints
  • Engineer: 3.5" × 2.75" × 8" - Slightly taller than standard
  • Utility: 3.5" × 3.5" × 11.5" - Larger brick that covers more area
  • Norman: 3.5" × 2.25" × 11.5" - Long brick for decorative patterns
  • Roman: 3.5" × 1.5" × 11.5" - Thin, long brick for special applications
Bond Patterns
  • Running Bond: Most common pattern with each row offset by half a brick
  • Stack Bond: Bricks stacked directly above one another with joints aligned
  • Common Bond: Running bond with header courses every 6th row
  • Flemish Bond: Alternating headers and stretchers in each course
  • English Bond: Alternating courses of headers and stretchers
  • Herringbone: Diagonal pattern for decorative features

What Is the Brick Calculator?

The Brick Calculator is a practical tool that helps you estimate how many bricks and how much mortar you’ll need for a wall or construction project. Whether you're planning a backyard feature wall, a garden border, or a new structure, this calculator gives you a clear breakdown of materials based on your inputs.

It's especially helpful for anyone working on home improvement projects or professionals planning out material quantities before ordering supplies. Similar to tools like a concrete volume estimator or flooring project planner, it ensures better planning and less waste.

Why Use a Brick Calculator?

  • Quickly estimate the number of bricks required
  • Include wall openings like doors and windows in your calculations
  • Calculate mortar volume and bags needed
  • Plan for waste and different wall thicknesses (single, double, triple wythe)
  • Supports multiple brick types and custom sizes
  • Visualize your wall layout with patterns like running bond, stack bond, and more

Just like a square footage tool helps you measure floor area, this calculator makes it easy to measure and plan your brickwork with confidence.

Formula Used for Brick Calculation

Total Wall Area = Wall Length × Wall Height

Opening Area = Σ (Opening Width × Opening Height)

Net Wall Area = Total Wall Area − Total Opening Area

Brick Area = (Brick Length + Vertical Joint) × (Brick Height + Horizontal Joint)

Bricks Needed = Net Wall Area ÷ Brick Area × Pattern Factor × Wythe Factor × (1 + Waste %)

Mortar Volume = Wall Volume − Total Brick Volume

How to Use the Brick Calculator

  1. Enter your wall’s length and height in feet.
  2. Select a brick type or enter custom brick dimensions if needed.
  3. Specify the mortar joint thickness (horizontal and vertical).
  4. Add any openings like doors or windows, with their dimensions.
  5. Choose your wall thickness (single, double, or triple wythe).
  6. Select mortar type and choose whether to include mortar in your estimate.
  7. Click "Calculate Materials" to view a complete breakdown including:
    • Total and net wall area
    • Number of bricks
    • Mortar volume and bags
    • Sand required
    • Brick packs
    • Detailed materials list and step-by-step explanation

It functions like a roofing project planner or drywall sheet estimator, streamlining your preparation and budget planning.

How This Calculator Helps

Planning a brick project by hand can lead to over-ordering or running short. This tool takes the guesswork out, allowing you to:

  • Save money by ordering the right amount of materials
  • Save time during the project with clear preparation
  • Reduce waste by including a customizable waste percentage
  • Compare different brick types and bond patterns

It complements other tools like a gravel material planner, tile coverage guide, or a foundation material estimator, making it easier to manage full-scale projects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I add doors and windows to the wall?
Yes. Use the "Add Opening" button to subtract the space of doors, windows, or other openings from your wall area.

What if I want to use custom-sized bricks?
Select "Custom Size" from the brick type dropdown and enter your specific brick dimensions in inches.

What is a wythe?
A wythe refers to a vertical layer of bricks. You can choose a single, double, or triple wythe depending on your wall thickness.

Do I need to include mortar in my estimate?
You can check or uncheck the "Calculate Mortar" box depending on whether you want mortar volume and bags included in your materials list.

What is the waste factor?
It accounts for brick breakage and cutting waste during construction. You can adjust this from 0–25%.

Can I use this for other materials?
This tool is focused on brick projects, but if you're planning a complete build, consider using related tools like:

Final Thoughts

Whether you're working on a DIY project or organizing materials for a large job, the Brick Calculator helps you make informed decisions quickly. It's a reliable companion to other tools like a fence layout guide, insulation cost estimator, or HVAC load calculator. Just input your project specs, hit calculate, and you’re set with the right numbers.