Bricks for a 40 × 8 ft wall
A wall this high is a house wall or a veneer panel, and a job for an experienced mason with footings, ties and flashing to code. This wall is 320 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 | 2,160 | 2,333 | 4.7 |
| Norman (11⅝ × 2¼ in) | 4.5 | 1,440 | 1,556 | 5.4 |
| Utility (11⅝ × 3⅝ in) | 3 | 960 | 1,037 | 3.8 |
| Roman (11⅝ × 1⅝ in) | 6 | 1,920 | 2,074 | 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% | 2,160 | 4.3 |
| 5% | 2,268 | 4.5 |
| 8% | 2,333 | 4.7 |
| 10% | 2,376 | 4.8 |
| 15% | 2,484 | 5.0 |
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 | 2,333 |
| One door (about 21 sq ft) | 2,180 |
| A door and a window (about 40 sq ft) | 2,042 |
| A door and three windows (about 60 sq ft) | 1,896 |
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.
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Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need for a 40x8 foot wall?
2,333 modular bricks including 8% waste, from 320 sq ft of wall at 6.75 bricks per sq ft. Without any waste allowance it is 2,160.
How many bricks is a 40x8 wall in Norman bricks?
1,556 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 40x8 wall?
About 4.7 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.