Brick Calculator
Work out how many bricks a wall needs — with the mortar joints counted properly, wastage added, and single or double skin — for US and UK brick sizes.
Counting bricks by area alone under-orders, because the mortar joints take up real space — about a tenth of the wall. This calculator counts the joints properly, using the cell method: each brick plus its share of joint.
It covers US modular bricks and UK standard bricks, single or double skin, with the joint size you enter.
Your results
Enter your measurements and press Calculate.
Quantities are rounded up to whole tiles, planks, boxes or bags, after the wastage allowance. Cost appears only when you enter a price.
Formula
All lengths are converted to a single unit before the calculation: 1 ft = 0.3048 m, 1 in = 25.4 mm, 1 ft² = 0.09290304 m², 1 yd² = 9 ft². Material quantities are rounded up — you cannot buy part of a tile, plank or bag.
How to use this calculator
- Measure the wall length and height.
- Enter your brick size — US modular (8 × 2.25 in) or UK standard (215 × 65 mm).
- Set the mortar joint (10 mm / 3/8 in is standard) and wastage (10%).
- Choose single or double skin, and add a price per brick for a cost estimate.
Worked example
| Wall (US) | 10 ft × 8 ft = 80 ft² |
|---|---|
| Brick + joint | (8 + 0.375) × (2.25 + 0.375) in = 21.98 in² = 0.1527 ft² per brick |
| Raw bricks | 80 ÷ 0.1527 = 524 bricks |
| With 10% wastage | ⌈524 × 1.10⌉ = 577 bricks |
| Wall (UK) | 10 m × 3 m = 30 m², 215 × 65 mm + 10 mm joint → ⌈(30 ÷ 0.016875) × 1.10⌉ = 1,956 bricks |
Check it by hand: every step above uses the formula in the box. If your numbers match the example inputs but the calculator gives a different answer, please report it via the contact page.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks per square metre?
About 60 for a UK standard brick (215 × 65 mm) with a 10 mm joint, single skin. For a US modular brick (8 × 2.25 in) with a 3/8 in joint, about 6.5 bricks per square foot. This calculator works it out exactly for your brick size and joint.
Should I deduct windows and doors?
Yes. Calculate the wall area first, subtract the area of any openings, then enter the net length and height — or run the calculator on the gross wall and subtract the opening's brick count separately. Either way, do not buy bricks for a window.
What is a double skin wall?
Two leaves of brickwork with a cavity between them — the standard UK external wall. It needs twice the bricks of a single skin. Choose “double skin” above and the calculator doubles the count.
How much wastage for bricks?
Allow 10%. Bricks break in transport and cutting, and a few spares from the same batch are worth keeping for future repairs — a later batch may not match in colour.
Related calculators
Estimates only. Results are for planning. Measure twice, confirm box coverage and tile sizes on the packaging you buy, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. See the disclaimer.