Professional Brick & Mortar Calculator
Single Skin (Half Brick)
Double Skin (Full Brick)
Estimation Summary
Total Wall Area: 0 m²
Bricks Required (Net): 0
Bricks Required (Inc. Wastage): 0
Estimated Material Cost: $0.00
How to Calculate Bricks for Your Project
Calculating the exact number of bricks for a construction project is crucial for budgeting and logistics. Ordering too few leads to project delays and potential color batch variations, while ordering too many results in unnecessary costs and waste.
The Mathematical Formula
To calculate the number of bricks, we use the "face area" method, which accounts for both the brick dimensions and the mortar joints. The formula is as follows:
1. Calculate the Area of one Brick with Mortar:
(Brick Length + Joint) × (Brick Height + Joint) = Area per Brick
2. Calculate the Total Wall Area:
Wall Length × Wall Height = Total Wall Area
3. Calculate the Number of Bricks:
(Total Wall Area / Area per Brick) × Number of Skins = Total Bricks
Standard Brick Sizes
| Region/Type | Standard Dimensions (mm) | Standard Joint |
|---|---|---|
| UK Standard | 215 x 102.5 x 65 | 10mm |
| US Modular | 194 x 92 x 57 | 9.5mm (3/8″) |
| Metric (AU/NZ) | 230 x 110 x 76 | 10mm |
Practical Example
Suppose you are building a single-skin garden wall that is 6 meters long and 2 meters high using standard UK bricks (215mm x 65mm) with a 10mm mortar joint.
- Wall Area: 6m × 2m = 12m²
- Brick Area with Joint: (0.215 + 0.010) × (0.065 + 0.010) = 0.225 × 0.075 = 0.016875m²
- Total Bricks: 12 / 0.016875 ≈ 711.11 bricks.
- With 10% Wastage: 711 + 71 = 782 bricks.
Expert Tips for Brick Estimation
- Accounting for Openings: Always subtract the area of windows and doors from your total wall area calculation before determining the brick count.
- Wastage: A 5% to 10% wastage factor is industry standard to account for bricks that are cut for corners or broken during transit.
- Mortar Joints: Standard joints are 10mm. If you plan on "thin-joint" masonry (3mm), your brick count will increase significantly.
- Wall Thickness: A "half-brick" wall (single skin) is standard for sheds or cladding. Load-bearing walls often require a "full-brick" wall (double skin), effectively doubling your brick count.