How many bricks do I need for a wall?
The wall area in square feet = length x height, less the doors and windows. Bricks as measured = the wall area x the bricks per 100 square feet / 100. Bricks to order = that count x (1 + the extra), rounded up.
The Brick Industry Association's Table 4 gives the quantity of modular brick, nominal size 4 x 2 2/3 x 8 in, as 675 per 100 square feet of wall, not including waste. [2] This calculator starts there. Other bricks and joints give other counts: change the number under Assumptions and constants.
Worked example
A wall 10 ft long and 4 ft high is 10 x 4 = 40 square feet. At 675 bricks per 100 square feet, which is 6.75 per square foot, 40 x 6.75 = 270 bricks as measured. With 5% extra, 270 x 1.05 = 283.5, which rounds up to 284 bricks.
How many bricks per square foot?
675 per 100 square feet is 6.75 per square foot. Check: the face of a modular brick is 8 in x 2 2/3 in = 21.33 square inches, and 144 / 21.33 = 6.75, because a square foot is 144 square inches. [1]
The Brick Industry Association's Table 4 lists the number of brick per 100 square feet for each size, the same for a 3/8 in and a 1/2 in joint, and the mortar for each joint. [2]
| Brick | Nominal size (in) | Bricks per 100 ft² | Bricks per ft² | Mortar, 3/8 in joint (ft³) | Mortar, 1/2 in joint (ft³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular | 4 x 2 2/3 x 8 | 675 | 6.75 | 5.5 | 6.9 |
| Engineer modular | 4 x 3 1/5 x 8 | 563 | 5.63 | 4.8 | 6.1 |
| Closure modular | 4 x 4 x 8 | 450 | 4.50 | 4.1 | 5.2 |
| No name | 4 x 6 x 8 | 300 | 3.00 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
| No name | 4 x 8 x 8 | 225 | 2.25 | 2.8 | 3.5 |
| Roman | 4 x 2 x 12 | 600 | 6.00 | 6.4 | 8.2 |
| Wall area (ft²) | Exact count | Bricks as measured | Bricks with 5% extra |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 337.5 | 338 | 355 |
| 100 | 675 | 675 | 709 |
| 200 | 1,350 | 1,350 | 1,418 |
| 500 | 3,375 | 3,375 | 3,544 |
How much mortar per brick?
The same table lists 5.5 cubic feet of mortar per 100 square feet of modular brick wall with a 3/8 in joint, and 6.9 with a 1/2 in joint, not including waste. It says to add 15 to 25 percent to the net mortar quantities. [2]
Per brick, with a 3/8 in joint, that is 5.5 / 675 = 0.0081 cubic feet of mortar, before the waste.
How do I measure brickwork?
Measure the length and the height of the wall in feet, and the area of each door and window in square feet. For a wall with several parts, run the calculator once for each part and add the bricks.
How much does a brick wall cost?
We state no price. Ask local suppliers for the price of one brick, then enter it under Price per brick, in the section Price (optional) above, to see the total for the bricks to order. The site does not store the prices you type.
Common mistakes and limits
- Using the wrong brick count. The count here is for modular brick. For another brick, enter its count per 100 square feet.
- Forgetting the waste. The Brick Industry Association says that, as a general rule, at least 5 percent is added to the net brick quantities delivered to the jobsite. [2]
- Forgetting the openings. Enter doors and windows under Openings to take away.
- What this tool does not cover: bond patterns with headers, mortar bags, ties, lintels and the footing.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need for a house?
Measure each outside wall, take away the doors and windows, and add the areas. Enter the total area as the length and 1 as the height. For example, 1,200 square feet of wall at 675 per 100 is 8,100 bricks before waste.
How many brick pavers do I need?
We found no source for paver counts. Enter your paver's count per 100 square feet under Bricks per 100 square feet, from its maker, and the calculator does the rest.
How do I count a brick that is not modular?
Open Assumptions and constants and enter the number of bricks per 100 square feet for your brick and joint, from its maker or its size table.
How do I take away doors and windows?
Add the area of each door and window, in square feet, and enter the total under Openings to take away.
How much extra brick should I order?
The Brick Industry Association says that, as a general rule, at least 5 percent is added to the net brick quantities delivered to the jobsite, and that particular job conditions or experience may warrant a higher percentage. [2]
Sources and references
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST Guide to the SI, Appendix B.8: Factors for Units Listed Alphabetically (SP 811, accessed November 2026). Used for: the inch and foot relationship and the 144 square inches in a square foot.
- Brick Industry Association (BIA). Technical Notes on Brick Construction 10, Dimensioning and Estimating Brick Masonry (February 2009, accessed November 2026). Used for: the bricks per 100 square feet of wall, the mortar per 100 square feet, and the allowance for waste.
How we use sources: methodology.
Estimates only. Confirm quantities with your supplier. See the disclaimer. Found a wrong result? Report an error.