WeekendCalc

Brick Calculator

Enter the size of your wall and the type of brick. You get the number of bricks to order (with waste), and roughly how many pallets that is.

Your project

%

Cuts, breakage and variation. 5 to 10% is typical.

Results

Bricks to order
1,167 bricks
Includes your waste allowance
Net wall area
160 ft²
Bricks without waste
1,080 bricks
Pallets (about 500 bricks each)
2.3 pallets
  • Counts are for one layer of bricks (a single wythe) laid with 3/8 in mortar joints. Buy the whole job in one batch, since colour varies between kiln lots. Mortar is bought separately: ask your supplier for the mortar and sand for your bricks and joint size.

How this calculator works

Bricks are laid with mortar joints, so each brick covers its own size plus half a joint on each side. For the common sizes this works out to a standard number of bricks per square foot of wall. We multiply the net wall area by that number and add an allowance for waste.

bricks = (length × height − openings) × bricks per ft² × (1 + waste %)

Worked example: a 20 × 8 ft wall (160 ft²) in modular brick: 160 × 6.75 = 1,080 bricks, or 1,167 with 8% waste, which is about 2.3 pallets.

Tips before you buy

  • Brick and mortar color are chosen together. Take samples outdoors and look at them in daylight before you commit.
  • For a brick veneer over a frame wall, you need wall ties, flashing, weep holes and a ledge or foundation to carry it. This is a job for an experienced mason.
  • Pallets are around 500 bricks for modular face brick, but this varies by manufacturer. Ask your supplier.
  • For a full 4 inch wall of brick, a single layer (wythe) is all this calculator counts. Double walls need twice as many.

Tools & materials for this project

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Mortar mix (Type N)Brick trowelMasonry chisel and brick setMason line and blocksMasonry brush

Frequently asked questions

How many bricks per square foot?

About 6.75 for standard modular bricks laid with 3/8 in mortar joints. Larger bricks need fewer: 4.5 for Norman and 3 for utility bricks.

How many bricks are on a pallet?

Typically around 500 modular face bricks, though it varies. Ask your supplier for their number.

How many bricks do I need for a patio?

For a flat patio laid in the flat, a 4 × 8 in paver covers 0.22 ft², so you need 4.5 per ft². Use the paver calculator, which includes the base and sand.

Related calculators & guides

Concrete Block CalculatorNumber of cinder / CMU blocks and mortar for a wall.Paver CalculatorPavers, base gravel and sand for a patio or walkway.Retaining Wall CalculatorBlocks, cap blocks, gravel backfill and pipe for a retaining wall.Square Footage CalculatorArea of a rectangle, triangle, circle, trapezoid or ellipse.

Estimates only. Results assume standard materials and simple shapes. Supplier products vary, and the final call on quantity, structure and safety is yours. Check your local code and your supplier's guidance before ordering.