Brick Calculator

Brick & Mortar Calculator

Estimate bricks, mortar bags and sand for walls, paths and veneer.

How the brick estimate works

The calculator measures wall face area and multiplies by bricks per square foot. A modular brick with standard 3/8-inch mortar joints covers about 7 bricks per square foot in a single wythe (one brick thick) and about 14 in a double wythe. Waste covers breakage and cut bricks at corners and openings.

Bricks = wall area x bricks per sq ft x (1 + waste%)
Mortar bags = bricks / 1000 x 7

Mortar: the hidden half of the job

Bricks get counted, mortar gets underestimated. A common planning figure is about 7 bags of mortar per 1,000 modular bricks, plus roughly a ton of masonry sand. Type N mortar suits most above-grade walls; Type S carries more strength for below-grade and retaining work. Mix small batches — mortar that stiffens in the tub is waste either way.

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Use cases

Garden wall - single wythe, cap with coping bricks for weather protection.
Brick veneer - one wythe against framed walls, tied with wall ties every few courses.
Walkway or patio edging - bricks on edge; count a row per linear foot plus cuts.
Pillar or mailbox - double wythe; expect a high cut-waste share.

Frequently asked questions

How many bricks do I need per square foot?

About 7 modular bricks (with mortar joints) per square foot for a single-wythe wall. Larger king-size bricks run closer to 5.5 per square foot; pavers laid flat need 4 to 5 per square foot depending on size.

Should I order extra bricks?

Yes — 5 to 10% extra covers breakage and cuts. Bricks also vary between production lots (color range), so leftovers from the same lot are your repair stock for years.

Estimates only. Brick size varies by manufacturer; confirm coverage with the product sheet before ordering.

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Ordering bricks with confidence

How to use this calculator

Measure the wall's length and height in feet; multiply for face area.

Pick single or double wythe — most garden and veneer walls are single.

Keep the 5–10% waste factor; brick breaks on corners and cuts more than beginners expect.

Match the mortar order: about 7 bags per 1,000 bricks, plus masonry sand.

Round up to the supplier's pallet size — bricks ship by the cube (about 500 bricks).

Quick reference

Project	Typical build	Bricks per sq ft
Garden wall (single)	One wythe, capped	~7
House veneer	Single wythe + ties	~7
Structural double wall	Two wythes, collar joint	~14
Brick pavers (flat)	4 x 8 pavers	~4.5

Pro tips

Order all bricks for a wall from one production lot; lot-to-lot color shifts are visible once laid.
Store bricks off the ground on pallets and cover mortar bags — damp sand and caked mortar ruin weekends.
On hot days, wet bricks before laying (except glass or glazed types) so they do not suck water out of the mortar.

Frequently asked questions

What is a brick 'cube'?

Suppliers package about 500 bricks on a cube, weighing roughly two tons. Ordering by the cube with a small overage is simpler than exact counts.

Can I lay brick in freezing weather?

Mortar needs protection below about 40°F (4°C) — it must not freeze before curing. Cold-weather masonry uses heated sand, windbreaks and blankets, or waits for warmer days.

Do I need a footing for a brick wall?

Any load-bearing or freestanding brick wall needs a concrete footing below frost depth, wider than the wall itself. Low garden edging can sit on compacted gravel.