Brick Calculator

1. Enter wall dimensions. Measure the wall length and height in feet. For a wall with openings (doors, windows), calculate the gross area first, then subtract opening area and recalculate, or subtract the number of bricks that would fill those openings after running the calculator.
2. Set mortar joint size. The default 3/8 inch (0.375 in) is the standard mortar joint for brick veneer and single-wythe walls. Older construction often used 1/2 inch joints. Thinner joints (1/4 inch) are used for specialty brick or high-precision work. The joint size significantly affects how many bricks fit in each course.
3. Read brick and mortar counts. The calculator shows the net brick count and a 10% waste adjustment (for cuts, chips, and mismatched bricks). It also estimates mortar bag count at roughly 1 bag of Type S mortar per 32 bricks.
4. Order extra for future repairs. Buy at least 5% extra beyond the waste-adjusted count and store them in a dry location. Brick production runs vary in color, and matching existing brick years later is difficult.

Example: a 20 ft × 8 ft wall (160 sq ft) with 3/8 inch mortar joints uses approximately 1,440 standard modular bricks including waste, plus 45 bags of mortar. At $0.70 per brick and $12 per bag mortar bag, materials run about $1,548.

Bricks are calculated by counting how many fit horizontally per course and how many courses stack to reach the desired height. Both dimensions use the brick's actual size plus one mortar joint.

The industry quick rule is approximately 7 bricks per sq ft of wall face (single wythe, standard brick, 3/8 inch joints). This calculator uses exact dimensions for more accurate ordering. Always consult the brick supplier for their specific coverage rates, as brick sizes vary slightly between manufacturers.