This calculator gives you bricks for a single-wythe wall (one layer thick). For double-wythe load-bearing walls, multiply the result by 2. For walls with openings, calculate gross wall area minus opening area, then enter the result.
How brick count is calculated
count = (wall area ÷ effective brick area) × 1.10 (10% waste)
The “+mortar” treats each brick as occupying its own area plus the surrounding mortar joint. This matches the bricks-per-sq-ft published by every major US brick manufacturer.
Standard brick face sizes
| Brick type | Face (L × H) | Bricks/sq ft (3/8" joint) |
|---|---|---|
| Modular | 7.625" × 2.25" | 6.85 |
| Queen | 7.625" × 2.75" | 5.85 |
| King | 9.625" × 2.625" | 4.85 |
| Engineer Modular | 7.625" × 2.75" | 5.85 |
| Roman | 11.625" × 1.625" | 6.40 |
| Norwegian | 11.625" × 2.75" | 3.85 |
Modular is the workhorse — that’s the default in the calculator.
Wall thickness by use
Double wythe (~9" thick): Load-bearing residential walls, retaining walls, walls over 6 ft tall.
Reinforced double wythe with grout fill: Walls over 8 ft, walls supporting roof loads, seismic zones.
For double-wythe walls, multiply the calculator result by 2. For walls with brick on both faces and CMU center, use single wythe × 2 + concrete block math.
Subtracting wall openings
For walls with windows or doors, calculate manually:
- Gross wall area = length × height
- Subtract opening areas (window length × height, door length × height)
- Net wall area = gross − sum of openings
- Enter the equivalent dimensions in the calculator (e.g. for 100 sq ft net, enter 10 ft × 10 ft)
For openings under 5 sq ft, skip the subtraction — the 10% waste covers it.
Mortar requirements
Plan on 1 bag of mortar per 100 bricks with standard 3/8" joints:
| Bricks | Mortar bags (Type N) | Sand (cu ft) |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 1 bag | 0.7 |
| 500 | 5 bags | 3.5 |
| 1,000 | 10 bags | 7 |
| 2,000 | 20 bags | 14 |
Use Type S mortar for load-bearing walls and foundations. Use Type N for above-grade non-structural (most decorative work).
Bond patterns and waste
Different bond patterns require different waste percentages because of cuts:
| Pattern | Waste | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Running bond (default) | 10% | Each row offset by half a brick |
| Stack bond | 5% | All bricks aligned vertically |
| Common bond | 10% | Running bond + every 5th-7th course header |
| Flemish bond | 15% | Alternating headers and stretchers |
| English bond | 15% | Alternating header courses and stretcher courses |
| Herringbone (decorative) | 20% | Diagonal pattern, lots of cuts |
The calculator uses 10% by default — adjust mentally for fancier patterns.
Buying tips
- Order all from the same lot — color batches vary
- Inspect on delivery — reject pallets with >5% chips/breaks
- Store covered — wet bricks are heavy and absorb mortar moisture
- 10% extra is standard — don’t massively over-order, returns are usually 25% restocking
- For load-bearing walls, ask for engineer-spec brick — not all bricks are equal under load
When to use mortar vs dry-stack
Mortared brick walls (everything above) need a frost-line foundation and mortar joints. Dry-stacked brick walls (no mortar, sometimes with hidden steel rods) work for short garden walls under 3 ft and need wider bricks for stability. The calculator above is for mortared walls only.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks for a 20 ft × 6 ft wall?
Single-wythe modular brick (7.625" × 2.25" with 3/8" joint): ~822 bricks + 10% waste = 905 bricks. Double-wythe (two layers): double that. The calculator handles single-wythe automatically.
What's a wythe?
A wythe is one vertical layer of bricks. Single wythe: One brick thick (typically decorative, garden walls). Double wythe: Two bricks thick (load-bearing residential walls). Triple wythe: Three bricks thick (older commercial). For a double-wythe wall, multiply the calculator result by 2.
What thickness wall do I need?
Garden wall (under 4 ft): Single wythe, ~4" thick. Privacy wall (4-6 ft): Single wythe with reinforced piers every 8 ft. Load-bearing wall: Double wythe (~9" thick) minimum. House exterior with cavity: Brick veneer over wood frame, single wythe.
How much mortar will I need?
Roughly 1 bag of Type N mortar per 100 bricks with standard 3/8" joints. For 905 bricks: ~9 bags of mortar plus ~6 cu ft of masonry sand. Use Type S for foundations or load-bearing walls.
Should I subtract openings (windows/doors)?
Yes for openings over 5 sq ft. Calculate gross wall area, then subtract opening area, then plug into the calculator. For openings under 5 sq ft, the 10% waste covers it. The calculator handles a single rectangle — for walls with openings, do the math externally first.