Brick Calculator
Use this free brick calculator to instantly calculate how many bricks and mortar bags you need for any wall, garden border, patio, house facade, or masonry project. Enter your wall dimensions, select your brick size and mortar joint width, choose single or double with the construction, deduct any doors or windows, and get an instant brick count, mortar estimate, and material cost range.
Bricks = Area × Bricks per Sq Ft × Wall Type Multiplier × Waste Factor
Mortar Bags = Bricks ÷ 30 (approx. 1 bag per 30 bricks)
Standard brick: 6.75/sq ft · Mortar: ~1 bag per 30 bricks · Always add 10% waste · Bricks often sold by the thousand
Estimates based on 2026 US average pricing. Always confirm current pricing with your local brick supplier.
How Does the Brick Calculator Work?
This brick calculator estimates the number of bricks and mortar bags needed for walls, fences, patios, and any other brick structure. It accounts for brick size, mortar joint width, wall thickness, openings, and waste factor.
How to Use:
- Enter your wall length and height in feet.
- Select your brick size — Standard is the most common US residential brick.
- Select your mortar joint size — ⅜ inch is standard for most brick work.
- Select your wall type — single wythe (4 inches), double wythe (8 inches), or brick veneer.
- Enter any doors or windows to deduct from the total area.
- Select a waste factor — 10% is recommended for most projects.
Most brick suppliers sell bricks by the thousand (1,000 unit lots). The calculator shows your total in bricks and in thousands so you can order easily. For small projects, many suppliers sell by the pallet (500–600 bricks) or by the piece. Always ask for pricing per thousand — it's almost always cheaper than per-piece pricing.
Brick Types Guide
Not all bricks are equal. Choosing the right brick for your application affects durability, appearance, and cost significantly.
| Type | Cost per 1,000 | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Brick | $350 – $650 | Interior walls, backing courses | Not weather-rated, may absorb water |
| Face Brick | $400 – $900 | Exterior walls, facades | Smooth finish, weather resistant |
| Engineered Brick | $500 – $1,000 | Structural walls, load bearing | High compressive strength |
| Fire Brick (Firebrick) | $800 – $2,000 | Fireplaces, pizza ovens, kilns | Withstands temps up to 1,800°F |
| Reclaimed / Antique | $500 – $1,500 | Feature walls, restoration | Character appearance, test strength |
| Clinker Brick | $600 – $1,200 | Landscaping, driveways, paths | Very dense, frost proof |
| Paving Brick | $500 – $1,000 | Driveways, patios, walkways | Use our Paver Calculator for patios |
In cold climates (northern US, Canada), always use bricks rated for freeze-thaw resistance — Grade SW (Severe Weathering) for areas with regular freezing, Grade MW (Moderate Weathering) for mild climates. Grade NW (No Weathering) is for interior use only. Using the wrong grade in a freeze-thaw climate causes spalling within a few winters.
Brick Bond Patterns Guide
The pattern in which bricks are laid affects the structural strength, appearance, and the amount of cutting required. Some patterns also affect how many bricks you need.
| Pattern | Waste Factor | Difficulty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running Bond | 5–10% | Easy | Most walls — most common pattern |
| Stacked Bond | 5–10% | Easy | Modern feature walls, veneer |
| English Bond | 10–15% | Moderate | Strong structural walls, traditional |
| Flemish Bond | 10–15% | Moderate | Decorative facades, heritage homes |
| Header Bond | 10% | Moderate | Curved walls, garden borders |
| Herringbone | 15–20% | Complex | Paving, feature floors, patios |
| Diagonal / Diagonal Basket | 15–20% | Complex | Decorative paving, accent walls |
Running bond — where each brick is offset by half from the row above — is the most common, strongest, and most efficient pattern. It minimizes waste, is the easiest for beginners, and works for virtually every application from garden walls to house facades.
Mortar Calculator & Guide
Mortar is the binding material that holds bricks together and transfers loads between them. Using the correct mortar type is as important as using the correct brick.
| Mortar Type | Compressive Strength | Best For | Mix Ratio (cement:lime:sand) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type S | 1,800 PSI | Below grade, exterior, retaining walls | 1 : 0.5 : 4.5 |
| Type N | 750 PSI | Above grade exterior, most common | 1 : 1 : 6 |
| Type M | 2,500 PSI | Foundations, heavy load bearing | 1 : 0.25 : 3 |
| Type O | 350 PSI | Interior non-load bearing only | 1 : 2 : 9 |
Mortar Quantity Reference:
- 1 bag of pre-mixed mortar (60 lb) lays approximately 25–35 standard bricks
- For every 1,000 bricks you need approximately 30–40 bags of mortar (60 lb bags)
- Mortar costs $8–$15 per 60 lb bag in 2026
- Use our Concrete Calculator if mixing your own mortar from scratch
For the vast majority of above-grade residential brick work — garden walls, facades, chimneys, mailboxes — Type N mortar is the correct choice. It's strong enough for structural use but flexible enough to allow minor movement without cracking. Type S is needed for below-grade work or where the wall contacts soil.
Brick Coverage Chart
Quick reference for estimating bricks needed for common project sizes using standard bricks (6.75 per sq ft) with ⅜ inch mortar joints and 10% waste.
| Project | Wall Area | Bricks Needed | Mortar Bags |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden wall 10×3 ft | 30 sq ft | ~223 | ~8 bags |
| Garden wall 20×4 ft | 80 sq ft | ~594 | ~20 bags |
| Retaining wall 30×4 ft | 120 sq ft | ~891 | ~30 bags |
| House facade 40×10 ft | 400 sq ft | ~2,970 | ~99 bags |
| Patio 20×15 ft (paving) | 300 sq ft | ~2,228 | ~74 bags |
| Fireplace surround 6×4 ft | 24 sq ft | ~178 | ~6 bags |
*Single wythe walls only. Double wythe walls require approximately 2× the bricks listed above.
Brick Cost (2026)
| Item | Unit | DIY Cost | Installed Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Face Brick | Per 1,000 | $400 – $900 | — |
| Standard Face Brick | Per sq ft | $2.70 – $6.10 | $8 – $18/sq ft |
| Mortar (60 lb bag) | Per bag | $8 – $15 | — |
| Brick Laying Labor | Per sq ft | Materials only | $5 – $12/sq ft |
| Garden Wall (20×4 ft) | Full project | $600 – $1,100 | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| House Facade (1,000 sq ft) | Full project | $3,500 – $7,000 | $12,000 – $22,000 |
Bricklaying is a skill that takes time to develop — professional masons can lay 300–500 bricks per day with consistent joint lines. A DIYer typically lays 100–200 bricks per day. For small garden walls and features, DIY is very achievable. For structural walls, house facades, and anything load bearing, always use a licensed mason.
Example Calculation
You want to build a garden wall 20 ft long × 4 ft high, single wythe, standard bricks, ⅜ inch joints, 10% waste, no openings.
20 × 4 = 80 sq ft
Step 2 — Bricks per sq ft (standard with ⅜" joint):6.75 bricks per sq ft
Step 3 — Base brick count:80 × 6.75 = 540 bricks
Step 4 — Add 10% waste:540 × 1.10 = 594 bricks (round up to 600)
Step 5 — Convert to thousands:594 ÷ 1,000 = 0.6 thousand (order 1 thousand minimum or buy per pallet)
Step 6 — Mortar bags needed:594 ÷ 30 = ~20 bags of mortar (60 lb bags)
Step 7 — Material cost estimate:600 bricks × $0.55 avg = ~$330 bricks + 20 bags × $10 = $200 mortar = ~$530 total materials