Brick Calculator
Calculate bricks, mortar, and materials needed for walls, patios, walkways, and masonry projects.
Wall/Area Dimensions
Brick Type
Openings
Bricks Needed
2,240 bricks
160 square feet
Brick Calculation Guide
Accurate brick calculations prevent shortages and minimize waste. This calculator estimates bricks, mortar, and materials for walls, patios, walkways, and masonry veneer projects.
Bricks Per Square Foot
Standard brick coverage with 3/8\" mortar joints:
- Standard Modular (3.625\"×7.625\"): 7 bricks per sq ft
- Jumbo Modular: 6.5 bricks per sq ft
- Queen (3\"×7.625\"): 6 bricks per sq ft
- Norman (3.625\"×11.625\"): 4.5 bricks per sq ft
- Utility (3.625\"×11.625\"): 3 bricks per sq ft
Wall Thickness (Wythe)
Brick walls are measured by "wythe" (thickness):
- Single Wythe: 4\" thick, one brick width (veneer walls)
- Double Wythe: 8\" thick, two brick widths (structural walls)
- Triple Wythe: 12\" thick, three brick widths (heavy load walls)
Mortar Requirements
Mortar usage depends on joint thickness and wall type:
- Wall mortar: 3.5-4 cubic feet per 100 sq ft
- Patio/walkway: 1.5-2 cubic feet per 100 sq ft
- 80 lb mortar bag: Covers 35-40 bricks
Brick Types and Costs
Common Red Brick
Standard clay brick. Costs $0.50-$1.00 per brick. Most economical option. Good for structural and decorative applications.
Face Brick
Smooth finish, uniform color. Costs $0.75-$1.50 per brick. Used for visible surfaces. Available in many colors.
Engineering Brick
High strength, low water absorption. Costs $1.00-$2.00 per brick. Used for foundations and areas with moisture exposure.
Reclaimed/Antique Brick
Salvaged historic brick. Costs $1.50-$4.00 per brick. Unique character and patina. Limited availability.
Mortar Joint Types
- Flush: Mortar cut flush with brick face
- Concave: Rounded joint (most common, best weather resistance)
- Struck: Angled joint for water runoff
- Weathered: Sloped joint for shedding water
- Raked: Recessed joint for decorative effect
Brick Patterns (Bonds)
- Running Bond: Most common, offset by half brick
- Stack Bond: Aligned vertically and horizontally
- Flemish Bond: Alternating headers and stretchers
- English Bond: Alternating rows of headers and stretchers
- Herringbone: Diagonal V-pattern for patios
Important Notes
Always add 5-10% extra bricks for waste, breakage, and future repairs. Brick lots vary in color—buy all bricks from same lot for uniform appearance.
Brickwork requires proper footings and foundations. Walls over 2 feet high typically need engineer-designed footings below frost line.
Professional bricklaying costs $8-$15 per sq ft for labor. Complex patterns, scaffolding, and detailed work increase costs. Obtain multiple quotes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks do I need per square foot?
Standard modular brick (3.625\"×7.625\") with 3/8\" mortar joints needs 7 bricks per square foot. Jumbo modular needs 6.5 per sq ft, Queen bricks need 6 per sq ft. Always add 5-10% for waste, breakage, and future repairs.
How much mortar do I need for bricks?
Estimate 3.5-4 cubic feet of mortar per 100 square feet of brick wall. One 80 lb bag of mortar mix covers approximately 35-40 bricks with standard 3/8\" joints. For a 100 sq ft wall (700 bricks), you'll need 18-20 bags.
What size are standard bricks?
Standard modular brick measures 3.625\" × 2.25\" × 7.625\". Other common sizes: Queen (3\"×2.75\"×7.625\"), Norman (3.625\"×2.25\"×11.625\"), Utility (3.625\"×3.625\"×11.625\"). Sizes include mortar joints—actual brick is slightly smaller.
How much does bricklaying cost?
Professional bricklaying costs $8-$15 per square foot for labor alone. Brick materials cost $5-$12 per sq ft. Total installed cost ranges from $13-$27 per sq ft depending on brick type, pattern complexity, wall height, and local labor rates.
How thick should mortar joints be?
Standard mortar joints are 3/8\" (10mm) thick for both horizontal and vertical joints. Joints can range from 1/4\" to 1/2\" depending on application and aesthetics. Thicker joints use more mortar and affect the number of bricks per square foot.