Brick Calculator
Estimate how many bricks you need for a wall.
Bricks per square foot depends on brick size.
Results update as you type.
How it works
A brick calculator estimates how many bricks you need to build or face a wall, from the wall's area and the size of brick you are using. Different brick sizes cover different amounts of wall, so the tool uses a bricks-per-square-foot rate for each common type — modular, standard and queen — that already includes the mortar joints between bricks. It multiplies the wall area by that rate for the exact count, then adds a five percent waste allowance and rounds up, because bricks are cut at corners and openings, snapped to fit, and cracked in handling, and you cannot buy a fraction of one. That waste margin is the difference between finishing the wall and stopping one course short. The per-square-foot rates assume a standard single-brick face with typical mortar joints; a double-thickness wall, or unusually thick or thin joints, changes the count, so treat the figure as a solid planning estimate rather than an exact bill of materials. Getting the number right up front matters because bricks are heavy and often delivered on pallets with a lead time, so a shortfall means both a delay and a delivery charge, while a large surplus ties up money and storage. Bricklayers, builders and homeowners use it to price a wall, a pier or a veneer and order close to the right quantity, keeping a few spares for later repairs.
Bricks = ⌈wall area × bricks per sq ft⌉; bricks to buy = ⌈bricks × 1.05⌉
Each brick type covers a known number of bricks per square foot of wall face, including the mortar joints around it — modular runs about 6.86, standard 6.55, and queen 5.76, with larger bricks covering more area and so needing fewer per square foot. Multiplying the wall area by that rate gives the exact brick count to face the wall, rounded up to a whole brick. Multiplying by 1.05 adds a five percent waste allowance for the bricks lost to cuts at corners and openings and to breakage in handling, and rounding up again ensures you buy whole bricks rather than fractions.
Source:Standard construction estimation (area method)
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter wall area and brick type.
- 2
Adjust the options
Fine-tune any options to match your situation.
- 3
Read your result
Bricks to buy updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square foot?
It depends on the brick size, because a larger brick covers more wall. This calculator uses about 6.86 bricks per square foot for modular, 6.55 for standard, and 5.76 for queen bricks, with each rate including the mortar joints between them. Larger bricks like queen size cover more face area, so you need fewer per square foot. Pick the type that matches the brick you are buying for an accurate count.
What is the difference between the brick types?
The types differ in size, which changes how many fit in a square foot of wall. Modular is a common standardized size, standard is slightly different in its dimensions, and queen bricks are larger and cover more area, so fewer are needed. The size also affects the wall's appearance and the coursing. Choose the type that matches your actual brick, since using the wrong rate throws the count off noticeably over a large wall.
How much waste should I allow for bricks?
Around five percent is the usual allowance and is built into this calculator's buy figure. It covers the bricks cut and snapped to fit at corners, ends and around window and door openings, plus the ones chipped or cracked during delivery and handling. Walls with many openings or intricate detailing waste more, so consider raising the margin. A modest surplus is far cheaper than a second pallet delivery to finish the last course.
Does this include the mortar?
The per-square-foot rates already account for the space mortar joints take between bricks, which is why fewer bricks fit than the bare brick size alone would suggest. However, the calculator counts only bricks — it does not estimate the volume of mortar or the number of mortar bags you need. Estimate mortar separately from the wall area and joint size, typically budgeting several bags of mix per hundreds of bricks laid.
Does wall thickness change the brick count?
Yes. These rates assume a single-brick-thick wall or veneer face. A double-thickness or solid load-bearing wall built two bricks deep uses roughly twice as many bricks for the same face area, and header courses that tie the layers together add more. If you are building a thicker wall, multiply the result accordingly, or calculate each wythe separately, and confirm the bonding pattern with your plans or a mason.