How Many Bricks Do I Need? Per Square Foot and by Wall Size
Part of the project planner: Planning retaining walls and drainage.
Standard modular bricks need 6.75 per square foot of wall, mortar joints included. A wall 20 ft long and 8 ft high (160 ft²) needs 1,167 bricks with 8% waste, which is about 2.3 pallets. The brick calculator takes off windows and doors and handles the other brick sizes.
Bricks by wall size
Modular bricks, no openings, 8% waste:
| Wall | Area | Bricks to order | Pallets of 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 4 ft | 40 ft² | 292 | 0.6 |
| 20 × 6 ft | 120 ft² | 875 | 1.8 |
| 20 × 8 ft | 160 ft² | 1,167 | 2.3 |
| 30 × 8 ft | 240 ft² | 1,750 | 3.5 |
| 40 × 8 ft | 320 ft² | 2,333 | 4.7 |
| 50 × 10 ft | 500 ft² | 3,645 | 7.3 |
Bricks per square foot, by type
The number to order for the 20 × 8 ft wall:
| Brick | Per ft² | Bricks (with 8% waste) |
|---|---|---|
| Modular (7⅝ × 2¼ in) | 6.75 | 1,167 |
| Norman (11⅝ × 2¼ in) | 4.5 | 778 |
| Utility (11⅝ × 3⅝ in) | 3 | 519 |
| Roman (11⅝ × 1⅝ in) | 6 | 1,037 |
How to count
- Measure the length and height of each wall, and multiply to get the area.
- Subtract windows and doors.
- Multiply by the bricks per square foot for your brick and joint size.
- Add 5 to 10% for cuts and breakage, and a little more for curves and patterns.
- Order everything from one batch so the colors match.
Before you build
- A brick wall needs a footing below the frost line, and the right ties if it is a veneer on a frame wall. Check your local code.
- Order enough mortar: see the block mortar calculator.
- Keep the bricks dry and covered, and wet very dry bricks lightly in hot weather.
- Use the mortar type the plans call for, and keep the joints a consistent thickness.
Estimates only.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks per square foot?
Standard modular bricks need 6.75 per square foot of wall face, including the mortar joints. Norman bricks need 4.5, utility 3 and Roman bricks 6.
How many bricks do I need for a 20x8 wall?
1,167 modular bricks, with 8% waste, for a wall 20 ft long and 8 ft high with no openings.
How do I allow for windows and doors?
Subtract the area of the openings. A 20 ft² window in the 20 × 8 ft wall brings the order down to 1,021 bricks.
How many bricks on a pallet?
A standard pallet holds about 500 bricks, though it varies with the brick. Ask the supplier, and order a few percent extra from the same batch.
How much mortar for bricks?
Roughly one 80 lb bag of mortar mix for every 80 to 90 bricks (about 7 cubic feet of mortar per 1,000 bricks), which is far less than for concrete blocks, since a block uses about as much mortar as two or three bricks. See the block mortar guide.
More guides
Tools & materials for this project
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Estimates only. Quantities depend on your materials, site and supplier. Confirm important numbers before you order, and follow local building codes for anything structural.