How to calculate bricks
Multiply the wall area by the bricks per square foot for your brick size, then add a waste allowance and round up:
Bricks = Wall area × Bricks per sq ft × (1 + waste %)
A 10 × 8 ft wall is 80 sq ft. With a modular brick at 6.9 per sq ft that's 552 bricks; add 10% waste and you need about 608 bricks. The per-square-foot figure already accounts for the mortar joints.
Bricks per square foot by size
| Brick | Per sq ft (single wythe) |
|---|---|
| Modular | ~6.9 |
| Standard | ~6.55 |
| Queen | ~5.8 |
Mortar and waste
Plan on roughly one 80-lb bag of mortar mix per 125 bricks. Add 5% waste for a plain wall and 10% where there are corners, openings, and cuts — breakage is unavoidable, and a small overage saves a second trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need?
Multiply the wall area by the number of bricks per square foot for your brick size, then add a waste allowance. A standard modular brick covers about 6.9 bricks per square foot, so an 80-square-foot wall needs roughly 552 bricks before waste, or about 608 with 10% added.
How many bricks are in a square foot?
For a single-layer (one wythe) wall with a 3/8-inch mortar joint, a modular brick runs about 6.9 per square foot, a standard brick about 6.55, and a larger queen brick about 5.8. The figure includes the mortar joints, not just the bare brick face.
How much mortar do I need for brick?
A rough rule is one 80-lb bag of mortar mix per 100 to 125 bricks, depending on joint size and brick type. This calculator estimates bags at about 125 bricks per bag — buy a little extra, since running out mid-course is worse than having some left.
How much waste should I add for brick?
Add about 5% for a plain straight wall and 10% where there are corners, openings, or cuts. Breakage and culling damaged bricks happen on every job, so a small overage protects against a second trip and a possible color-batch mismatch.
Does this count a single layer or a double-thick wall?
The per-square-foot figures are for a single wythe (one brick thick) wall, like a veneer. A double-wythe or structural wall uses two layers, so double the brick count. Adjust your bricks-per-square-foot or wall area accordingly.
Disclaimer: Figures assume a single-wythe wall and standard joints, and are estimates for planning. Double a structural or double-thick wall, and confirm quantities with your supplier.