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Brick & Mortar Calculator

Estimate the exact number of bricks, concrete blocks, and 80 lb mortar bags needed for any wall, garden planter, or home exterior.

Reviewed for Mathematical Accuracy Last updated: 2026
Masonry Presets:
21 sq ft standard per door
15 sq ft standard per window
Average: $0.60 - $1.20 / brick
Total Bricks Needed (With Waste)
604 Bricks
Mortar required: 5 Bags (80 lb Type N)
80.0 sq ft
Net Wall Area
549
Net Bricks (No Waste)
0.55 Tons
Masonry Sand (if site-mixing)
Material / Metric Quantity Required Package / Unit Spec Estimated Cost

Standard Masonry Brick Dimensions

Bricks are specified by their actual physical dimensions, while their "nominal" dimension includes the mortar joint (typically 3/8" or 10mm). Below are the most common US masonry sizes:

Brick Type Actual Dimensions (W x H x L) Bricks / Sq Ft (Single Wythe) Common Application
Modular 3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 7-5/8" ~6.86 / sq ft Most popular residential and commercial brick in North America.
Standard US 3-1/2" x 2-1/4" x 8" ~6.55 / sq ft Classic historic residential masonry.
Queen 3" x 2-3/4" x 9-5/8" ~4.61 / sq ft Larger face area, reduces labor and material laying costs.
King 3" x 2-5/8" x 9-5/8" ~4.80 / sq ft High-efficiency residential exterior veneer.
CMU Block (8x8x16) 7-5/8" x 7-5/8" x 15-5/8" ~1.13 / sq ft Foundation walls, retaining walls, and structural cores.

Choosing the Right Mortar Type

ASTM C270 categorizes masonry mortars by compressive strength using the acronym MaSoNwOrK (M, S, N, O):

  • Type N (1,000 psi): General-purpose mortar for exterior above-grade brick veneer, chimneys, and interior walls. Recommended for virtually all residential brick projects.
  • Type S (1,800 psi): High compressive and high lateral flexural bond strength. Ideal for below-grade foundation walls, retaining walls, and seismic zones.
  • Type M (2,500 psi): Highest compressive strength. Used for heavy load-bearing foundations, manholes, and heavy stone masonry.
  • Type O (350 psi): Low strength, flexible mortar. Exclusively used for restoring and repointing historic or antique masonry.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many modular bricks are in a square foot?

For standard US Modular bricks (measuring 3-5/8\

How many bags of mortar do I need for 1,000 bricks?

As a rule of thumb in masonry, you need approximately 6 to 7 bags of 80 lb (36 kg) Type N or Type S pre-mixed mortar mix per 1,000 standard modular bricks, which equates to roughly 1 bag of mortar per 140 to 150 bricks.

What is the difference between a single wythe and double wythe wall?

A single wythe wall is one unit of brick thick (typically 3.5\

Construction Pro Tip: Never order exact brick counts. Even the best masons incur 5% to 10% cutting waste at corners, windows, and wall ends. In addition, brick batches from the kiln can have slight color variations; purchasing a single run with 10% overage ensures color uniformity across the entire structure.

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