How to use the brick calculator
- Measure the wall's length and height in feet. For a house, measure each wall separately and add the areas, or work out the total with the square footage calculator.
- Add up the doors and windows you'll brick around and enter their area.
- Pick the brick size printed on the pallet or product page. Modular is the most common in the US.
- Choose single thickness for a veneer or a low garden wall, double for a solid freestanding wall.
Brick formula
bricks per sq ft = 144 ÷ ((brick length + 3/8) × (brick height + 3/8))
bricks = (wall area − openings) × bricks per sq ft × wythes × (1 + waste)
The 3/8 inch is the standard mortar joint. Mortar is estimated at one 80 lb bag of premixed mortar per about 35 modular bricks; bigger bricks need fewer bags per brick. If you mix your own, plan on about 7 bags of masonry cement and half a ton of sand per 1,000 modular bricks.
Bricks per square foot by size
| Brick | Actual size | Per sq ft | Per 100 sq ft (5% extra) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular | 7 5/8 × 2 1/4 in | 6.86 | 720 |
| Standard | 8 × 2 1/4 in | 6.55 | 688 |
| Queen | 7 5/8 × 2 3/4 in | 5.76 | 605 |
| King | 9 5/8 × 2 5/8 in | 4.80 | 504 |
| Utility | 11 5/8 × 3 5/8 in | 3.00 | 315 |
Tips before you order
- Buy from one batch. Brick color varies between runs, so order everything at once plus a few spares for repairs.
- Mix bricks from several pallets as you lay them so color differences blend in.
- Footings: a brick wall needs a concrete footing below the frost line. The concrete calculator handles footings.
- Ties and flashing: brick veneer on a house needs wall ties about every 2.67 sq ft, weep holes and flashing. Follow local code.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square foot?
About 6.9 modular bricks per square foot with a 3/8 inch mortar joint. Queen bricks need about 5.8 per sq ft, king bricks 4.8, and utility bricks 3.
How many bricks do I need for a 10 x 8 wall?
An 80 sq ft single-brick wall takes about 549 modular bricks, or 576 with 5% extra for breakage.
How many bricks does a bag of mortar lay?
An 80 lb bag of premixed mortar lays roughly 30 to 40 modular bricks, depending on joint size and how much is wasted.
How many bricks are on a pallet?
Often around 500 to 535 modular bricks, but it varies by manufacturer. Check the count on the pallet or product page.