Brick and block calculator

Calculate modular bricks or concrete blocks for a wall and the mortar to lay them.

LHlh
Letters on the drawing match the letters next to the inputs.
ft
ft
sq ft
in
in
More settings
%
Bricks or blocks1,008 pcs

Shopping list

  • Bricks or blocks1,008 pcs
  • Mortar0.29 yd³

How we got there

Wall area without openings
140 sq ft
Units per area
6.85 pcs/sq ft

Results are estimates. Always check the coverage printed on the product and your local building code.

How it is calculated

The calculator takes the wall area minus doors and windows and works out how many units fit per square foot including the joint. Extra covers breakage and cuts. Mortar is the wall volume minus the volume of the units.

FormulaUnits per sq ft = 144 ÷ ((length + joint) × (height + joint)) in inchesUnits = net area × units per sq ft × (1 + extra)Mortar = wall volume − units × unit volume

Example

A 20 ft wall 8 ft high with 20 sq ft of openings, in modular brick (7 5/8 × 2 1/4 in) with 3/8 in joints, needs 1,008 bricks with 5 % extra and about 0.29 cubic yards of mortar.

Tips from practice

  • 8 in CMU are laid with 3/8 in joints: about 1.125 blocks per sq ft.
  • Buy face brick from one lot: color varies between lots.
  • The wall thickness should match the width of the unit you lay.

Questions and answers

How many bricks per square foot?

About 6.75 modular bricks per sq ft with 3/8 in joints.

How many blocks per square foot?

About 1.125 standard 8 × 8 × 16 in blocks per sq ft.

How much mortar per 1,000 bricks?

Roughly 7–8 bags of 70 lb Type N or S mortar mix, depending on joints and waste.

Found a mistake in a formula? Write to contact@planicalc.com