Formula
How the brick estimate works
- Net wall area = wall length × wall height − openings
- Modular brick area = (brick length + joint) × (brick height + joint)
- Bricks required = net wall area × (1 + waste %) ÷ modular brick area, rounded up
Free project planning tool
Brick calculator
Estimate brick quantity, mortar-joint allowance, waste, and material cost for a rectangular wall.
✓ Metric & imperial✓ Transparent assumptions✓ No signup
Walls & masonryInstant estimate
Example calculation
A 20 × 8 ft wall with 24 sq ft of openings, standard 7.625 × 2.25 in bricks, a 0.375 in mortar joint, and 10% waste needs roughly 1,030 bricks.
Planning tips
- Use the actual brick dimensions and planned mortar-joint thickness.
- Subtract doors, windows, and large openings for a tighter estimate.
- Corners, cuts, breakage, and matching an existing bond may require more waste.
Common questions
Brick calculator FAQ
Does the estimate include mortar joints?
Yes. Brick length and height are combined with the joint thickness to estimate the modular face area.
How much extra brick should I order?
Ten percent is a practical starting point. Complex bonds, many cuts, fragile brick, or future repair stock may need more.
Does this calculate mortar?
No. Mortar quantity depends on brick type, joint profile, wall thickness, and installation method and should be estimated separately.
Planning guides
Understand the estimate
01Material waste allowanceChoose a waste allowance based on cuts, breakage, patterns, package sizes, and project complexity instead of one universal percentage.→02Estimating checklistA repeatable checklist for measuring a project, verifying product coverage, rounding packages, pricing the order, and reviewing the result.→03Methodology & assumptionsHow BuildWise calculators handle measurements, units, product coverage, waste, package rounding, cost, examples, and limitations.→