Brick Calculator

Calculate how many bricks you need for walls, patios, and veneer. Includes mortar, sand, and cost estimates.

How to Use This Calculator

Brick projects require careful material estimation. Bricks come in various sizes, and your mortar needs depend on joint width and brick type. This calculator helps you estimate materials for walls, patios, and veneer projects.

  1. Select your project type: wall (structural), patio (laid flat), or veneer (decorative facing).
  2. Enter dimensions in feet - length and height for walls, length and width for patios.
  3. Choose your brick size from common options or enter custom dimensions.
  4. Select mortar joint width (3/8 inch is standard for most applications).
  5. For walls with openings, enter the number of doors and windows.

Why This Matters

Brick is one of the most durable building materials, with properly built brick structures lasting centuries. Accurate material estimation ensures you order enough from the same production lot (avoiding color variations) while minimizing expensive surplus. Brick is heavy and delivery costs are significant, making accurate calculations especially important.

  • Calculate exact brick quantities with waste allowance
  • Determine mortar and sand requirements
  • Account for doors, windows, and other openings
  • Include wall ties for veneer applications
  • Estimate complete project costs

Worked Examples

Brick Patio

A 12' x 16' patio using standard pavers in herringbone pattern.

Calculation: 192 sq ft x 4.5 bricks/sq ft = 864 + 10% waste = 950 bricks
Result: Order 2 pallets (1,000 bricks), plus base and joint sand.

Garden Wall

A 20' long, 4' tall garden wall with standard modular bricks.

Calculation: 80 sq ft x 7 bricks/sq ft = 560 + 5% = 588 bricks
Result: Order 600 bricks, 4 bags mortar, 6 cubic feet sand.

House Veneer

A 40' x 9' front elevation with 2 windows and 1 door.

Calculation: (360 - 21 - 30) = 309 sq ft x 7 = 2,163 + 5% = 2,271 bricks
Result: Order 2,300 bricks, 16 bags mortar, 860 wall ties.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Not accounting for mortar joints - this significantly affects brick count.
  • Forgetting waste allowance - cutting and breakage require extra bricks.
  • Underestimating mortar needs - joints use more mortar than expected.
  • Ordering from multiple lots - color can vary between production batches.
  • Skipping proper base preparation - especially critical for paver patios.

Frequently Asked Questions