How do I calculate how many bricks I need for a wall?

To calculate bricks needed for a wall, measure the wall length and height, select your brick type, and enter the mortar joint thickness. The calculator will compute the wall area, determine how many bricks fit in that space accounting for mortar joints, and automatically add the recommended waste allowance.

What is the standard mortar joint thickness for bricks?

The standard mortar joint thickness for bricks is 10mm (about 3/8 inch). This can vary depending on the brick type and construction method, but 10mm is the most common thickness used in residential construction.

How much waste should I add when ordering bricks?

Add 5-10% waste for straight walls and simple layouts, and 10-15% for complex layouts or if you're inexperienced with bricklaying. This accounts for breakage during transport, cutting for corners and openings, and mistakes during construction.

What are the most common brick sizes?

The most common brick sizes include Standard (215×102×65mm), Modular (194×92×57mm), and King Size (244×76×60mm). Each region may have different standard sizes, which is why our calculator includes multiple common types plus custom sizing options.

How do I calculate mortar needed for brickwork?

Mortar volume depends on the wall area and mortar joint thickness. For a rough estimate, plan for about 1 cubic meter of mortar per 1000 bricks with standard 10mm joints. Our calculator provides a more precise estimate based on your specific wall dimensions and joint thickness.

Brick Calculator

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Calculate how many bricks you need for your wall project. Enter your wall dimensions and brick size to estimate how many bricks you'll need. Our brick estimation tool provides accurate results with waste percentage included.

🧱Project Details

How to Use the Brick Calculator

Enter your wall dimensions (length and height)
Select your brick type or enter custom dimensions
Set the mortar joint thickness (typically 10mm)
Add the price per brick for cost estimation
Adjust waste percentage based on your project (5-10% recommended)
Click "Calculate" to get brick quantity and cost estimates

Project Type

Brick Wall Construction

Brick Selection

Common Sizes

Wall Details

Wall Length

Wall Height

Mortar Joint Thickness

Mortar Thickness

Areas to Exclude

Additional Options

Price Per Brick ($)

Leave empty to skip cost calculation

Waste Percentage

Recommended: 5% for straightforward walls, 10% for complex layouts

🧱 Brick Wall Projects & Mortar Estimates – What to Know Before You Build

From exterior house walls to feature walls and backyard landscaping, brickwork remains a timeless, durable building method. But how many bricks do you actually need? And how much mortar should you order? Our Brick Calculator does the hard work for you — factoring in brick size, wall dimensions, mortar spacing, and waste.

Here’s what to consider for different project types:

🔹 1. Exterior Brick Walls (Single or Double Wythe)

Overview:

Exterior walls typically use either:

Single wythe (single layer) for garages, sheds, or fences
Double wythe (two brick layers with insulation in between) for homes or load-bearing walls

Best brick types:

Standard Modular (US/Canada), King Size, Norman, or UK Metric

Recommended mortar spacing:10 mm

Tips:

Don’t forget to subtract windows and door openings.
Include both layers if building a cavity wall.

🔹 2. Interior Brick Veneer or Accent Walls

Overview:

These are often non-load-bearing and mostly aesthetic — perfect for living rooms, kitchens, or commercial spaces.

Best brick types:

Thin Brick Veneer, Modular, or Queen Size

Recommended mortar spacing:5–10 mm

Tips:

Adhesive installation often replaces traditional mortar.
Consider lightweight bricks to reduce load on floors.

🔹 3. Garden & Landscape Walls

Overview:

Great for defining boundaries or creating raised beds. Often built in modular units and topped with coping stones.

Best brick types:

Norman, King Size, or South African Imperial

Recommended mortar spacing:10 mm

Tips:

Add 10% waste to account for ground unevenness and cuts.
Waterproofing is crucial for longevity in outdoor settings.

🔹 4. Garage, Shed, and Outbuilding Walls

Overview:

Durable walls for structures exposed to the elements, usually built with single or cavity wall techniques.

Best brick types:

King Size, UK Standard, or Traditional Indian Brick

Recommended mortar spacing:10 mm

Tips:

Factor in insulation gaps if you're building for year-round use.
Frost-resistant bricks are recommended in cold climates.

🔹 5. Retaining Walls & Heavy-Duty Applications

Overview:

While concrete blocks are often used structurally, facing bricks provide visual appeal for the exposed side.

Best brick types:

Norman, German DIN, or solid bricks

Recommended mortar spacing:10–12 mm

Tips:

Use reinforced foundations.
Ensure proper drainage behind the wall.

🌐 Standard Brick Sizes (By Country)

Unlike other brick estimators, HandyCalcs includes a full dropdown of global standard brick sizes, so you can calculate accurately — no guesswork. Whether you're using:

Modular, Queen, or King bricks in the USA
UK Metric Bricks
Indian Standard or Traditional Sizes
German, Dutch, Chinese, or South African bricks

You’ll find the dimensions preloaded — or choose Custom Brick Size for full control.

Each size includes:
Exact dimensions in mm, cm, and inches
Automatic mortar gap handling
Instant recalculation of total brick quantity and wall area

Not All Bricks Are Equal – Choose the Right One

Brick Type	Used In	Typical Size (mm)	Best For
Modular (US)	USA/Canada	194×92×57	Most residential projects
Queen (US)	USA	203×70×57	Narrower walls or aesthetics
UK Metric	UK	215×102.5×65	All-purpose construction
India Standard	India	190×90×90	Boundary and structural walls
Norman (US)	USA	400×92×57	Long face bricks for visual impact
Dutch Brick	Netherlands	210×100×50	Decorative facades, slim walls

Top 10 Most Common Brick Sizes

Brick Type	Region / Country	Notes
Standard Modular	USA / Canada	Most widely used in the US
Queen Size	USA	Taller and narrower for aesthetic appeal
King Size	USA	Covers more area per brick
Norman Size	USA	Elongated look, often decorative
UK Standard Metric	United Kingdom	British standard
Indian Standard	India	Common for load-bearing walls
Traditional India	India	Older construction, still used widely
Australian Standard	Australia	Matches Indian traditional size
German DIN Brick	Germany	Common in central Europe
Dutch Brick	Netherlands	Narrower, often used for facades

Pro Tips Before You Order

Add 10% waste for complex patterns or curved walls.
Always double-check if your supplier sells by brick count or by pallet.
Consider mortar mix requirements — our calculator gives you an estimate in kilograms too.
If using multiple wall sections, recalculate per wall for best accuracy.

Why Use a Brick Calculator?

Our brick calculator helps you estimate how many bricks you need for your wall project, including waste allowance for cuts and breakage.

Calculate bricks needed based on wall dimensions
Choose from common brick types or enter custom dimensions
Account for mortar joint thickness
Include waste percentage for realistic estimates
Estimate total cost based on brick price
Calculate mortar requirements

Common Brick Calculator Uses

Our brick quantity calculator is ideal for:

Garden walls and boundary walls
Retaining walls and landscaping
House extensions and additions
Fireplace and chimney construction
Decorative feature walls

Brick Construction Tips

Standard mortar joint thickness is 10mm
Add 5-10% waste for straight walls, 10-15% for complex layouts
Consider brick orientation (stretcher vs header bond)
Account for openings like doors and windows
Order extra bricks from the same batch for consistent color

Frequently Searched Questions

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