How to calculate bricks
To count bricks, find how much wall one brick covers including its mortar joint, then divide that into the wall area. Using the actual brick size plus the joint, rather than a fixed rule, means the math works for any brick in any catalog.
Bricks per sq ft = 144 ÷ brick face with joint
Bricks = (wall area − openings) × bricks per sq ft × wythes × (1 + waste %)
Worked example: a 20 × 8 ft wall with one window, modular brick
- Wall area: 20 × 8 = 160 sq ft. Subtract a 3 × 5 ft window: 160 − 15 = 145 sq ft.
- Brick face with 3/8 in. joints: (2.25 + 0.375) × (7.625 + 0.375) = 2.625 × 8 = 21 sq in.
- Bricks per sq ft: 144 ÷ 21 = 6.86.
- Bricks: 145 × 6.86 = 994. Add 5% waste: 994 × 1.05 = 1,044 bricks.
- Mortar at about 35 bricks per 80 lb bag: 1,044 ÷ 35 = 29.8, round up to 30 bags.
- Pallets at 500 per pallet: 1,044 ÷ 500 = 2.09, so 2 full pallets plus 44 loose bricks.
- Veneer ties at one per 2.67 sq ft: 145 ÷ 2.67 = 54.3, so 55 ties.
Brick sizes and bricks per square foot
US bricks come in a range of sizes. Face size (the part you see) sets the count; bed depth (front to back) is typically 3 to 3-5/8 in. and doesn't change the count. The table uses 3/8 in. joints. Queen and king sizes vary more than the others between manufacturers, so check the spec sheet.
| Brick | Actual size (D × H × L) | Bricks per sq ft (3/8 in. joints) | Per 100 sq ft, no waste |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular | 3-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 7-5/8 in. | 6.86 | 686 |
| Engineer modular | 3-5/8 × 2-3/4 × 7-5/8 in. | 5.76 | 576 |
| Closure modular | 3-5/8 × 3-5/8 × 7-5/8 in. | 4.50 | 450 |
| Standard (non-modular) | 3-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 8 in. | 6.55 | 656 |
| Queen | About 3 × 2-3/4 × 8 in. | 5.50 | 551 |
| King | About 3 × 2-5/8 × 9-5/8 in. | 4.80 | 480 |
| Norman | 3-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 11-5/8 in. | 4.57 | 458 |
| Roman | 3-5/8 × 1-5/8 × 11-5/8 in. | 6.00 | 600 |
| Utility | 3-5/8 × 3-5/8 × 11-5/8 in. | 3.00 | 300 |
Why you may see 6.75 for modular brick
Industry tables usually list modular brick at 6.75 per sq ft. That figure uses the nominal size of 8 × 2-2/3 in., which assumes three courses rise exactly 8 in. to line up with concrete block. Laying three 2-1/4 in. bricks in 8 in. leaves bed joints a little over 3/8 in. (about 0.42 in.). With true 3/8 in. joints all around, the math gives 6.86. The difference is under 2%, and the calculator's count is the slightly safer of the two. The same thing explains small differences for Norman (4.50 nominal vs. 4.57) and engineer modular brick.
Single wythe, double wythe and veneer
A wythe is one layer of brick, one brick thick. Most new brick on houses is veneer: a single wythe set about 1 in. in front of the sheathing and weather-resistive barrier, fastened back to the framing with metal ties. It carries only its own weight and needs flashing and weep holes at the bottom and above openings.
A double-wythe wall is two layers bonded together with header bricks or metal ties, and it takes twice the bricks, plus mortar in the joint between the layers. Freestanding garden walls taller than a few feet, and any structural brick wall, are usually double wythe or reinforced, and they need a proper footing. Structural brick, veneer support over openings and footings are covered by local code and the brick manufacturer's guidance, so check both before you build.
For veneer ties, a common code limit is one tie for every 2.67 sq ft of wall, spaced no more than 24 in. apart in either direction. Areas with high wind or earthquake risk often require more.
Mortar, pallets and ordering tips
- Mortar: labels on 80 lb bags of premixed mortar mix typically say one bag lays up to about 37 standard bricks. The calculator defaults to 35 for a small margin. Masons laying thousands of bricks usually mix masonry cement and sand on site instead, which costs less per brick. Use Type N for most above-grade veneer and garden walls; Type S is often specified for below-grade work and higher loads.
- Pallets: brick is sold by the piece, by the thousand or by the pallet (often called a cube). The count per pallet depends on the manufacturer and brick size, so ask before you order. Many yards won't break a pallet, or charge extra if they do.
- Buy it all at once. Color and texture vary from one production run to the next. Blend bricks from several pallets as you lay them so color shifts don't show up as stripes.
- Keep extras. A few spare bricks from the original order make future repairs match.
- Working with block instead? Use the concrete block calculator. For a brick patio or walkway laid on sand, the paver calculator fits better, and for the footing under a brick wall, use the concrete calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square foot?
About 6.75–6.86 modular bricks per square foot of wall. The industry figure of 6.75 uses nominal sizes; laying 2-1/4 × 7-5/8 in. modular brick with true 3/8 in. joints works out to 6.86. Larger bricks need fewer: about 4.6 for Norman and 3 for utility brick.
How many bricks do I need for a 10 × 10 wall?
A 10 × 10 ft wall is 100 sq ft. With modular brick and 3/8 in. joints, that is about 686 bricks, or 720 with 5% waste. Subtract about 6.9 bricks for every square foot of door or window opening, and double the count for a two-wythe wall.
How many bricks does one bag of mortar lay?
An 80 lb bag of premixed mortar mix typically lays up to about 37 standard bricks, according to bag labels. For 1,000 bricks, that is roughly 27–30 bags. Wide joints, uneven brick and spillage all reduce the count.
How many bricks are on a pallet?
It varies by manufacturer and brick size; 500 is a common ballpark for modular brick, but counts above and below that are normal. Ask your supplier for the exact count and whether they sell partial pallets.
How many bricks do I need for a double brick wall?
For a solid wall, multiply the face count by the number of wythes. A two-wythe modular wall (about 8 in. thick) takes about 13.7 bricks per square foot of wall face with 3/8 in. joints, twice the single-wythe 6.86.
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