Use this Brick Calculator to estimate the number of bricks, packs or pallets, and optional material cost required for a wall. Enter the wall dimensions, openings, visible brick-face size, mortar-joint thickness, and waste allowance.

Brick Calculation Method

Gross wall area = wall length × wall height × number of walls

Net wall area = gross wall area − door and window area

The mortar joint is added to the visible brick dimensions:

Adjusted brick length = brick length + mortar-joint thickness

Adjusted brick height = brick height + mortar-joint thickness

Brick coverage area = adjusted brick length × adjusted brick height

Base bricks = net wall area ÷ brick coverage area

Total bricks = base bricks × (1 + waste percentage ÷ 100)

Round the final result up to a whole brick. When pack details are entered:

Packs needed = total bricks ÷ bricks per pack

Example

Suppose two walls are each 20 ft long and 8 ft high. The openings total 40 ft². Each brick has a visible face of 8 × 2.25 inches, the mortar joint is 0.375 inches, and the waste allowance is 10%.

Gross wall area = 20 × 8 × 2 = 320 ft²

Net wall area = 320 − 40 = 280 ft²

Adjusted brick size = 8.375 × 2.625 inches

Brick coverage area = 21.98 in² ÷ 144 ≈ 0.1527 ft²

Base bricks = 280 ÷ 0.1527 ≈ 1,834

Total bricks = 1,834 × 1.10 ≈ 2,018 bricks

If one pack contains 500 bricks, approximately 5 packs are required.

Important Notes

• Enter only the visible face dimensions of one brick.
• Subtract openings that will not contain brickwork.
• Allow extra bricks for cutting, breakage, corners, returns, and site damage.
• Wall thickness, brick bond, piers, arches, decorative courses, and complex openings can change the quantity required.
• Calculate different wall sections or brick sizes separately and add the totals.
• The calculator does not estimate mortar, wall ties, lintels, reinforcement, delivery, or labour.

Sources

• Brick Development Association — Brick Calculator
• Brick Development Association — Designing to Brickwork Dimensions