Brick Calculator
Brick count and cost for walls from area.
What it does
Brick counts divide wall area by the laid face of one brick with its mortar joint share. Modular US brick with three eighths joints covers 6.55 per square foot, while metric 215 mm units with 10 mm joints run 60 per square meter.
The tool above takes wall area in either system with price per thousand. It returns brick count, echoed area, and cost.
Joints explain the fractions. Real units measure short so mortar completes the module, and coursing divides evenly into openings designed on module.
Waste runs higher than concrete work because cuts, corners, and color blending consume whole bricks. Five percent covers plain walls while arches and soldiers push past ten.
How to use
- Switch the unit system first: imperial for ft2, metric for m2.
- Measure length times height minus big openings.
- Read the count and add cuts allowance.
- Order from one batch for color match.
Formula
- 6.55
- Modular bricks per ft2 with 3/8 in joints.
- 60
- Metric bricks per m2 with 10 mm joints.
- ceil
- Round up. Partial courses need whole bricks.
Queen, king, and jumbo units shift the per foot figure. Confirm the rate for non modular sizes before ordering.
Worked example
Example: 260 ft2 wall at $450 per thousand
Wall area 260 ft2 after openings.
- Count: 260 x 6.55 = 1703 exactly.
- Round: 1,703 bricks.
- Cost: 1.703 x $450 = $766.35 before mortar.
- With 5% cuts: about 1,788 bricks ordered.
Reference table
| Area | Bricks | At $450/thousand |
|---|---|---|
| 100 ft2 | 655 | $294.75 |
| 260 ft2 | 1,703 | $766.35 |
| 500 ft2 | 3,275 | $1,473.75 |
| 24.2 m2 metric | 1,452 | $653.40 |
Limits
- Modular and metric standard sizes assumed.
- Cuts, sills, and soldiers need extra.
- Mortar volume needs separate math.
- Structural wythes and ties need engineering.
Common mistakes
- Counting actual brick faces without joints.
- Forgetting cuts at every opening.
- Mixing batches with shade bands.
- Pricing bricks without mortar and ties.
- Laying past freezing without protection.
Try it yourself
Quick checks. Answers sit tucked under each question.
128 ft2 wall. Bricks?
128 x 6.55 = 838.4, so 839 bricks.
Cost at $500 per thousand?
0.839 x 500 = $419.50.
Questions
How many bricks per square foot?
About 6.55 modular with joints. Queen and king sizes differ.
What is a modular brick?
Nominal 8x2-2/3x4 in, actually 7-5/8 x 2-1/4 x 3-5/8 with joints completing module.
How much mortar per thousand bricks?
Roughly six to nine 60 lb bags varies with joints and waste.
Can beginners lay brick?
Garden walls yes. Structural and veneer ties want masons.
Why do colors vary?
Clay and kiln position shade batches. Blend cubes as you lay.
How are bricks priced?
Per thousand, delivered by the cube. Specialty shapes cost more.