Bricks for a 40 × 6 ft wall
A wall about this high is a garden or privacy wall, or a retaining or boundary wall. Anything over about 4 ft that holds back soil, or over 6 ft free-standing, usually needs a permit and an engineered design. This wall is 240 sq ft. At 3/8 in mortar joints, the count for one layer of brick (a single wythe) is:
| Brick | Per sq ft | No waste | With 8% waste | Pallets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular (7⅝ × 2¼ in) | 6.75 | 1,620 | 1,750 | 3.5 |
| Norman (11⅝ × 2¼ in) | 4.5 | 1,080 | 1,167 | 4.1 |
| Utility (11⅝ × 3⅝ in) | 3 | 720 | 778 | 2.9 |
| Roman (11⅝ × 1⅝ in) | 6 | 1,440 | 1,556 | ask supplier |
How much waste to allow
Cuts, breakage and variation use up bricks. Use 5% for a plain straight wall, 8 to 10% for most jobs, and 15% for arches, corners and patterned work (modular brick).
| Waste | Modular bricks | Pallets |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | 1,620 | 3.2 |
| 5% | 1,701 | 3.4 |
| 8% | 1,750 | 3.5 |
| 10% | 1,782 | 3.6 |
| 15% | 1,863 | 3.7 |
Taking off doors and windows
Subtract the area of each opening from the wall area before you count (modular brick, 8% waste).
| Openings | Bricks |
|---|---|
| No openings | 1,750 |
| One door (about 21 sq ft) | 1,597 |
| A door and a window (about 40 sq ft) | 1,458 |
| A door and three windows (about 60 sq ft) | 1,313 |
Mortar is bought separately. Use the brick calculator for your own wall, and read how many bricks you need for the formula and joint sizes. Double walls need twice as many bricks, and walls over 4 ft need footings.
Want to change anything else? The calculator above is the full Brick Calculator: edit any number and the results update instantly.
Tools & materials for this project
Affiliate links As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. These links do not change what you pay.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need for a 40x6 foot wall?
1,750 modular bricks including 8% waste, from 240 sq ft of wall at 6.75 bricks per sq ft. Without any waste allowance it is 1,620.
How many bricks is a 40x6 wall in Norman bricks?
1,167 Norman bricks with 8% waste. Larger bricks cover more wall each, so you need fewer of them (4.5 per sq ft instead of 6.75).
How many pallets of brick is a 40x6 wall?
About 3.5 pallets of modular brick, at a typical 500 a pallet. Pallet counts vary by maker, so ask your supplier before you order, and buy the whole job from one batch so the color matches.
Related sizes and guides
Related sizes
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.