Brick Calculator
Enter your wall dimensions and get an instant, honest count of the bricks you'll need — waste included.
📖 How it works & FAQHow many bricks do you need?
A standard modular brick, laid with a standard mortar joint, covers roughly 1/7th of a square foot of wall face — so about 7 bricks per square foot is the number most masons and DIYers plan around for a single-wythe wall. This calculator multiplies your wall area by that rate, then adds a waste allowance so you don't come up short mid-project.
Why add a waste allowance?
Bricks get cut at corners and openings, some crack in the pile, and colors can vary between pallets. A 10% cushion is typical for a straightforward wall; bump it toward 15% for lots of corners, curves, or a herringbone pattern where cutting is heavy. It's far cheaper to have a few spares than to reorder a single pallet and wait on delivery.
How to use it
- Measure your wall's width and height in feet and enter them.
- Leave bricks per sq ft at 7 for standard modular brick, or change it if your brick face size differs.
- Set a waste allowance — 10% is a safe default.
- Read the Bricks to buy card; the count updates as you type.
FAQ
- Where does "7 bricks per square foot" come from?
- A modular brick face is about 2 1/4 in tall by 7 5/8 in long, and with a 3/8 in mortar joint each brick covers roughly 22.5 sq in — about 1/7th of a square foot. Different brick sizes change this rate.
- Does this count both sides of a double-brick wall?
- No. It estimates a single-wythe (one-brick-thick) wall. For a double-wythe wall, double the result.
- Should I subtract windows and doors?
- You can measure the openings and subtract their area from your wall size before entering it. For small openings, the waste allowance often covers the difference.
- How accurate is this?
- These are planning estimates, not professional advice — confirm quantities with your brick supplier or mason before ordering. Mortar type, joint size, and pattern all shift the real count.