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Brick Calculator

Wall area converted into a brick count, using the standard modular brick coverage rate.

Wall area (sq ft)

Waste factor (%)

Bricks needed

1,486

Based on standard modular brick (6.75 bricks per sq ft including mortar joints).

What you entered

Wall area (sq ft): 200Waste factor (%): 10

1
Base brick count (6.75 bricks/sq ft)
200 × 6.75= 1350 bricks
2
Add 10% waste
1350 × 1.10= 1486 bricks

Result

Bricks needed: 1,486

A 200 sq ft wall needs about 1486 bricks, including a 10% waste allowance.

Bricks needed for common wall sizes at standard modular coverage

Every count uses the standard modular brick rate this calculator applies, 6.75 bricks per square foot including the 3/8 inch mortar joint, with the wall area taken as length times height and no openings deducted.

Wall size (L x H)	Wall area (sq ft)	Bricks at 5% waste	Bricks at 10% waste	Bricks at 15% waste
10 ft x 3 ft	30	213	223	233
20 ft x 3 ft	60	426	446	466
12 ft x 8 ft	96	681	713	746
20 ft x 6 ft	120	851	892	932
20 ft x 8 ft	160	1,134	1,188	1,242
25 ft x 8 ft	200	1,418	1,486	1,553
30 ft x 8 ft	240	1,701	1,783	1,863
40 ft x 8 ft	320	2,268	2,376	2,484
50 ft x 9 ft	450	3,190	3,342	3,494

Use 5% waste on a straight wall with no openings, 10% on a typical wall, and 15% where there are several windows, doors, corners, or a decorative bond that forces cuts. These counts assume standard modular brick; queen and jumbo sizes run about 5.76 per sq ft and king about 4.50, so a larger brick needs proportionally fewer. Subtract window and door areas from the wall area before entering it. Budget roughly 7 bags of 80 lb mortar per 1,000 bricks at a 3/8 inch joint, and order to the nearest half pallet since a pallet holds about 500 bricks.

How to calculate bricks needed for a wall

Measure the wall area (length × height in feet), subtract window and door openings, then multiply by the brick coverage rate. Standard modular bricks with 3/8" mortar joints cover about 6.75 bricks per square foot. For a 200 sq ft wall: 200 × 6.75 = 1,350 bricks before waste.

Brick sizes and coverage rates

Standard modular (3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝"): 6.75/sq ft. Queen (3⅛" × 2¾" × 7⅝"): 5.76/sq ft. King (3⅝" × 2⅝" × 9⅝"): 4.50/sq ft. Jumbo (3⅝" × 2¾" × 7⅝"): 5.76/sq ft. Always check the specific size of the brick you're buying.

Why you need a waste allowance

Cutting bricks around corners, windows, doors, and angles always wastes material. Plan for 5–10% waste on simple walls and 10–15% for walls with many openings or decorative patterns. Bricks also break during transport — order a few extra to avoid a second delivery.

Mortar estimation

You'll need roughly 7 bags of mortar (80 lb each) per 1,000 standard bricks for a 3/8" joint. That's about 23 cubic feet of mortar. Always have 10% extra on hand — running out mid-wall means a visible color change where you stopped and restarted.

Frequently asked questions

How many bricks do I need per square foot?

For standard modular bricks (3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝") with a 3/8" mortar joint, you need about 6.75 bricks per square foot. Larger bricks like king-size need fewer per square foot (about 4.5), while smaller bricks need more.

How do I calculate bricks for a wall with windows?

Calculate the total wall area (length × height), then subtract the area of all windows and doors. Multiply the remaining area by the brick coverage rate (6.75 for standard modular), then add 10–15% for waste from cutting around the openings.

How much mortar do I need per 1,000 bricks?

You'll need approximately 7 bags (80 lb each) of pre-mixed mortar per 1,000 standard modular bricks laid with a 3/8" mortar joint. For thicker joints or larger bricks, you'll need more.

How many bricks are in a pallet?

A standard pallet holds about 500 bricks and weighs approximately 2,000 lb. The exact count varies by brick size and manufacturer. When ordering, round up to the nearest half-pallet to ensure you have enough including waste.