Brick Calculator (How Many Bricks for a Wall)
Bricks for a single-wythe wall from its area, the brick face size and the mortar joint. Defaults are a modular brick with a ⅜ in joint.
Formula
Bricks per sq ft = 144 ÷ ((length + joint) × (height + joint)); bricks = (wall area − openings) × bricks per sq ft × (1 + waste%).
Worked example
Inputs: Wall length = 20 ft; Wall height = 8 ft; Openings to subtract = 0 sq ft; Brick length (actual) = 7.625 in; Brick height (actual) = 2.25 in; Mortar joint = 0.375 in; Waste allowance = 5 %.
| Wall area sq ft | 160 |
|---|---|
| Units per sq ft | 6.857 |
| Units | 1,152 |
FAQ
How many modular bricks per square foot?
With a 7⅝ × 2¼ in face and ⅜ in joints: 144 ÷ (8 × 2.625) ≈ 6.86 bricks per sq ft.
Does this cover a double-wythe wall?
No. It counts one layer; multiply by the number of wythes.
How much waste should I add?
It depends on cuts, breakage and pattern; 5% is an editable starting point, not a standard.
Sources
- Brick Industry Association Technical Notes (Technical Note 10: Dimensioning and Estimating Brick Masonry)
- Geometry (volume/area formulas); no external constant needed
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Last reviewed 2026-10-13.