Brick Wall Calculator
This free brick wall calculator tells you how many bricks to buy for your wall. Enter the wall length and height, pick your brick type, choose single or double wythe, and set a waste allowance — it instantly estimates the brick count (rounded up) and the 60-lb mortar bags you'll need.
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Enter your wall dimensions to see the estimate.
How to use this calculator
Measure your wall's length and height in feet and enter them. Then pick your brick type: standard brick is the common residential choice (about 7.5 bricks per sq ft with 3/8 in mortar joints), modular is slightly larger at 7.0 per sq ft, and queen brick is the largest at about 5.8 per sq ft. These rates are labeled as estimates because the exact count depends on your mortar joint width and laying pattern.
Choose single wythe for a one-brick-thick wall (garden walls, veneers, partitions) or double wythe if the wall carries structural load — double wythe doubles the brick and mortar count. Keep the default 10% waste allowance, which covers broken bricks, miscuts, and a few spares for future repairs. Results update instantly as you type.
How it works
The core estimate is the wall area times the bricks-per-square-foot rate for your brick type, rounded up to a whole brick, then multiplied by the wythe count:
bricks = ceil(length × height × bricks-per-sq-ft × wythes)
The waste allowance is then applied to that count:
bricks to buy = ceil(bricks × (1 + waste % ÷ 100))
For example, a 20 ft by 8 ft wall is 160 sq ft. With standard brick at 7.5 bricks per sq ft: 160 × 7.5 = 1,200 bricks, plus 10% waste = 1,320 bricks.
The mortar estimate uses a rule of thumb of about 0.2 bags of 60-lb mortar per square foot of single-wythe wall, scaled up for double wythe:
mortar bags (estimate) = ceil(area × 0.2 × wythes)
Both results are estimates. The brick rate assumes standard 3/8 in mortar joints; wider joints or patterned laying (like soldier courses) change the count. The mortar rule of thumb is a planning figure — actual mortar use varies with joint width, brick type, and waste on site. Confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need for a wall?
Multiply the wall area in square feet by the bricks-per-square-foot rate for your brick type, then add a waste allowance. For example, a 20 ft by 8 ft wall is 160 sq ft. With standard brick at about 7.5 bricks per sq ft (with 3/8 in mortar joints), that's 160 × 7.5 = 1,200 bricks, plus 10% waste = 1,320 bricks to buy. Enter your wall size in the calculator above and it does this math instantly.
What is the difference between single and double wythe?
A wythe is one vertical layer of brick. A single-wythe wall is one brick thick (about 4 in), used for garden walls, veneers, and non-load-bearing partitions. A double-wythe wall stacks two layers, roughly doubling the brick and mortar needed, and is used where the wall must carry structural load. Select double wythe in the calculator to double your brick and mortar estimate.
How many 60-lb mortar bags do I need per square foot of brick wall?
A common rule of thumb is about 0.2 bags of 60-lb mortar per square foot of single-wythe brick wall — so a 160 sq ft wall needs roughly 32 bags. This is a planning estimate: actual mortar use varies with joint width, brick type, and how much mortar ends up in the collar joint or on the ground. Buy a few extra bags so a shortage doesn't stall the job.
Why do the bricks-per-square-foot rates differ by brick type?
Larger bricks cover more wall area, so you need fewer of them. Standard brick (7.625 × 2.25 × 3.625 in) runs about 7.5 bricks per sq ft with 3/8 in mortar joints, modular brick about 7.0, and queen brick about 5.8. The calculator treats these rates as estimates — the exact count depends on your mortar joint width and laying pattern.