Estimate bricks and mortar required for your masonry project.
Standard (8″ x 2 ¼")
Modular (7 ⅝" x 2 ¼")
Queen (9 ⅝" x 2 ¾")
King (9 ⅝" x 2 ⅝")
Roman (12″ x 1 ½")
Utility (11 ⅝" x 3 ⅝")
Standard (3/8″)
Wide (1/2″)
Thin (1/4″)
Single Wythe (Veneer)
Double Wythe (Structural)
Project Requirements
Total Wall Area:0 sq ft
Bricks per Square Foot:0
Net Bricks Needed:0
Total Bricks (with 5% waste):0
Estimated Mortar (80lb Bags):0 bags
*Mortar estimates assume standard type N mix and typical wastage.
function calculateMasonry() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var len = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wallLength').value);
var hgt = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wallHeight').value);
var type = document.getElementById('brickType').value;
var waste = parseFloat(document.getElementById('wastePct').value);
var joint = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mortarJoint').value);
var layers = parseInt(document.getElementById('wallLayers').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(len) || isNaN(hgt) || len <= 0 || hgt <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive dimensions for the wall.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(waste) || waste < 0) waste = 0;
// 2. Define Brick Dimensions (Length x Height in inches)
// Does not include mortar joint yet
var brickSizes = {
'standard': { l: 8, h: 2.25 },
'modular': { l: 7.625, h: 2.25 },
'queen': { l: 9.625, h: 2.75 },
'king': { l: 9.625, h: 2.625 },
'roman': { l: 12, h: 1.5 },
'utility': { l: 11.625, h: 3.625 }
};
var selectedBrick = brickSizes[type];
// 3. Calculate Area logic
// Wall Area in Sq Ft
var wallArea = len * hgt;
// Effective Brick Area (Brick face + 1 mortar joint on side + 1 mortar joint on top)
// Convert inches to feet for calculation (div by 12)
var effLengthFt = (selectedBrick.l + joint) / 12;
var effHeightFt = (selectedBrick.h + joint) / 12;
var brickSqFt = effLengthFt * effHeightFt;
// Bricks per Sq Ft
var bricksPerSqFt = 1 / brickSqFt;
// Total Net Bricks (Area * Bricks/SqFt * Layers)
var netBricks = wallArea * bricksPerSqFt * layers;
// Add Waste
var totalBricks = netBricks * (1 + (waste / 100));
// 4. Calculate Mortar
// Rule of thumb: approx 7 bags (80lb) per 1000 standard bricks.
// Scale based on brick size. Smaller bricks = more mortar. Larger bricks = less mortar.
// Standard brick surface area ~ 18 sq in.
// Factor calculation: Ratio of current brick area vs standard.
var stdArea = 8 * 2.25;
var currentArea = selectedBrick.l * selectedBrick.h;
var sizeFactor = stdArea / currentArea;
// Base rate: 0.007 bags per brick for standard size
// This is an estimation.
var bagsPerBrick = 0.007 * sizeFactor;
// Adjust for joint size (standard is 0.375)
var jointFactor = joint / 0.375;
var totalBags = totalBricks * bagsPerBrick * jointFactor;
// 5. Output Results
document.getElementById('resArea').innerText = wallArea.toFixed(2) + " sq ft";
document.getElementById('resPerSqFt').innerText = bricksPerSqFt.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('resNetBricks').innerText = Math.ceil(netBricks);
document.getElementById('resTotalBricks').innerText = Math.ceil(totalBricks);
document.getElementById('resWasteVal').innerText = waste;
document.getElementById('resMortar').innerText = Math.ceil(totalBags) + " bags";
// Show result box
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = "block";
}
How to Estimate Brick Quantities Correctly
Planning a masonry project requires precise calculations to avoid costly delays or excessive waste. Whether you are building a retaining wall, a home veneer, or a simple garden border, understanding how to calculate the number of bricks and bags of mortar is the first step to a successful build.
1. Calculating Wall Area
The foundation of your estimate is the square footage of the wall. Simply multiply the length of the wall by the height (in feet). If you have windows or doors, calculate their area separately and subtract it from the total wall area.
Formula: Length (ft) × Height (ft) = Total Area (sq ft)
2. Determining Brick Coverage
Not all bricks are created equal. The "Standard" brick size in the US is nominally 4″ x 8″, but the actual dimensions are usually 3 ⅝" x 2 ¼" x 8″. When calculating coverage, you must account for the mortar joint (typically 3/8″).
Brick Type
Dimensions (L x H)
Est. Bricks per Sq Ft
Standard
8″ x 2 ¼"
~6.75
Modular
7 ⅝" x 2 ¼"
~6.86
Queen
9 ⅝" x 2 ¾"
~4.6
King
9 ⅝" x 2 ⅝"
~4.8
3. The Importance of Waste Factor
Bricks break. Cuts are made at corners. Accidents happen during transit. Professional masons always include a waste factor in their orders. For simple walls, 5% is standard. for complex walls with many corners, piers, or intricate bond patterns, consider increasing your waste factor to 10%.
4. Estimating Mortar
Mortar is often underestimated. A general rule of thumb for standard bricks is that you will need approximately 7 bags of pre-mixed mortar (80lb type N) for every 1,000 bricks. However, this varies significantly based on:
Brick Size: Larger bricks use less mortar per square foot because there are fewer joints.
Joint Thickness: Increasing a joint from 3/8″ to 1/2″ increases mortar consumption by over 30%.
Core Type: Cored bricks (with holes) require more mortar than solid pavers as mortar falls into the voids.
FAQ: Common Brick Calculation Questions
What is a "Wythe"?
A wythe refers to a continuous vertical section of masonry one unit in thickness. A standard brick veneer on a house is a single wythe. A structural garden wall might be two wythes thick (two bricks wide) to provide stability.
What is the standard mortar joint size?
The standard mortar joint in the United States is 3/8 of an inch (0.375″). This dimension is critical because modular bricks are sized specifically to equal a whole number (e.g., 8 inches) when the joint is added.
How many bricks are in a cube (pallet)?
This varies by manufacturer and brick size, but a standard cube typically holds roughly 500 to 530 standard-sized bricks.