How this calculator works
This runs our brick and concrete calculators. A standard brick wall of one brick thickness takes 120 bricks per square metre, and a half-brick wall 60. The mortar is a rule of thumb of about 0.9 tonnes of sand and 8 bags of cement per 1,000 bricks. The foundation is the length times its width and depth in metres.
Worked example: a 5 m long, 0.9 m high wall one brick thick takes 567 bricks with 5% waste, 0.50 tonnes of building sand and 5 bags of cement. A 600 × 200 mm foundation along it is 0.66 m³ of concrete with 10% extra (order 0.75 m³), with 5 m of damp-proof course and 5 m of coping.
Bricks and foundation by wall size (one brick thick, 600 × 200 mm foundation)
Bricks with 5% waste; concrete in m³ with 10% extra.
| Wall | Bricks | Cement bags (mortar) | Sand | Foundation concrete |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 m long, 0.6 m high | 227 | 2 | 0.20 tonnes | 0.40 m³ |
| 5 m long, 0.9 m high | 567 | 5 | 0.50 tonnes | 0.66 m³ |
| 8 m long, 0.9 m high | 908 | 8 | 0.81 tonnes | 1.06 m³ |
| 10 m long, 1.2 m high | 1,512 | 13 | 1.35 tonnes | 1.32 m³ |
Tips before you buy
- Choose bricks that are rated for exposed use, such as frost-resistant types, and mix bricks from several packs as you lay.
- Make the mortar weaker than the bricks, so that any movement shows in the joints, and mix it in small batches.
- A freestanding wall over about a metre needs piers or a thicker section to stay up in the wind.
- Lay a damp-proof course near the base and fit coping on top to keep the water out.
- Check the planning rules, especially next to a road, and talk to your neighbour about a boundary wall.
Tools & materials for this project
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Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need for a 5m long wall 0.9m high?
567 bricks for a wall one brick thick, including 5% for waste. A half-brick (single skin) wall of the same size needs 284.
How much concrete do I need for the foundation?
0.66 m³ for a 600 × 200 mm strip along 5 m. The real trench depth depends on the soil and the height, so ask a bricklayer or building control.
How much sand and cement for the bricks?
As a rule of thumb about 0.9 tonnes of building sand and 8 bags of cement per 1,000 bricks: 0.50 tonnes and 5 bags for this wall.
Do I need planning permission for a garden wall?
In England, a wall over 2 m high (or 1 m next to a highway) usually needs planning permission. Other parts of the UK have their own rules, and listed buildings and conservation areas have stricter ones.
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Related calculators & guides
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.