Brick Calculator
Calculate how many bricks you need for a wall. Enter wall length, height, openings and waste percentage for an instant brick count with the formula shown.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
Show the formula & steps
How the Brick Calculator Works
This calculator estimates how many bricks you need to build a wall. Enter the wall length and height in feet, the total area of any openings (doors, windows, vents) in square feet, and a waste percentage. It returns the net wall area, the base brick count, and the total number of bricks to buy.
The estimate is based on a standard modular brick with mortar joints, where about 7 bricks cover one square foot of a single-width (half-brick) wall — the most common figure used in the trade.
The Formula
Net wall area = (length × height) − openings Base bricks = net area × 7 bricks per sq ft Bricks to buy = base bricks × (1 + waste% ÷ 100)
A modular brick face is roughly 8 in × 2.25 in. Once a standard 3/8-inch mortar joint is added on each side, the effective face works out to about 7 bricks per square foot. The waste percentage covers cuts at corners and openings plus on-site breakage.
Worked Example
For a wall 20 ft long and 8 ft high, with 20 sq ft of door and window openings and a 10% waste allowance:
- Net wall area = (20 × 8) − 20 = 160 − 20 = 140 sq ft
- Base bricks = 140 × 7 = 980 bricks
- Bricks to buy = 980 × (1 + 0.10) = 980 × 1.10 = 1,078 bricks
So you would order about 1,078 bricks to finish this wall with a safe margin.
Bricks per Square Foot by Wall Type
The bricks-per-square-foot figure depends on the brick size and how thick the wall is. Use this table as a quick reference.
| Wall type / brick | Bricks per sq ft of wall |
|---|---|
| Single width, modular brick | ≈ 7 |
| Double width (full brick) | ≈ 14 |
| Single width, queen / oversize brick | ≈ 6 |
| Thin brick veneer | ≈ 7 |
Tips for an Accurate Brick Estimate
- Confirm the brick size. Modular, queen and utility bricks have different face dimensions, which changes the bricks-per-square-foot figure.
- Match width to count. Use ~7 per sq ft for a half-brick wall and ~14 for a full double-width wall.
- Subtract big openings. Deduct the area of doors and windows so you do not pay for bricks you will not lay.
- Order extra. Keep 5–10% spare for breakage and a small stockpile of matching bricks for future repairs, since brick colors and runs change over time.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need per square foot?+
A standard modular brick face is about 8 inches by 2.25 inches, and including the mortar joints you need roughly 7 bricks per square foot of wall for a single-width (half-brick) wall. Multiply your wall area by 7 to get the base brick count.
How do I calculate the number of bricks for a wall?+
Multiply wall length by height to get the gross area, subtract the area of doors and windows, multiply the result by 7 bricks per square foot, then add a waste allowance. A 20 × 8 ft wall with 20 sq ft of openings needs about (160 − 20) × 7 = 980 bricks before waste.
How much waste should I add for bricks?+
Add about 5 to 10 percent for cuts, breakage and the bricks lost to corners and reveals. Use the higher end for walls with many openings, curves or decorative bonds where more bricks are trimmed or damaged on site.
Does the brick count change for a double-width wall?+
Yes. The 7-bricks-per-square-foot figure is for a single half-brick width wall. A full-brick (double-width) wall has two leaves, so roughly double the count to about 14 bricks per square foot of wall face.
Should I subtract doors and windows from the wall area?+
Yes, subtract the area of large openings such as doors, windows and vents so you do not over-order. Very small openings can be ignored, since the waste allowance usually absorbs them and leaves a useful surplus for repairs.