Brick Calculator

Common brick sizes in the United States include:

• Standard: 8" x 2.25" x 3.75" (length x height x width) - Most common residential brick
• Modular: 7.625" x 2.25" x 3.625" - Designed to fit modular coursing with 3/8" mortar joints
• Queen: 7.625" x 2.75" x 3.125" - Taller profile, popular in the South
• King: 9.625" x 2.75" x 2.75" - Longer brick with distinctive appearance

Actual brick dimensions are typically 3/8" smaller than nominal to account for mortar joints.

To calculate bricks per square foot:

• Add the mortar joint thickness to brick length and height
• Calculate the face area of one brick with mortar: (length + joint) x (height + joint)
• Divide 144 sq inches (1 sq ft) by the brick face area

For standard bricks with 3/8" mortar joints, you need approximately 6.75 bricks per square foot.

Mortar requirements depend on brick size and joint thickness:

• Standard bricks (3/8" joint): One 80 lb bag covers approximately 30-35 bricks
• Standard bricks (1/2" joint): One 80 lb bag covers approximately 25-30 bricks
• Type S mortar: Most common for exterior walls and below-grade applications
• Type N mortar: Good for above-grade exterior walls and interior load-bearing walls

Always add 10-15% extra mortar to account for waste and variations.

Popular brick bond patterns include:

• Running Bond: Most common pattern. Each row is offset by half a brick. Simple and strong.
• Stack Bond: Bricks aligned vertically. Modern look but weaker structurally.
• Flemish Bond: Alternating headers and stretchers in each course. Traditional, decorative.
• English Bond: Alternating courses of headers and stretchers. Very strong.
• Herringbone: Bricks laid at 45-degree angles. Often used for patios and walkways.

Running bond requires the fewest cuts and is ideal for DIY projects.

A waste factor accounts for:

• Breakage: Bricks can crack during transport or handling
• Cutting: End pieces and corners require cut bricks
• Defects: Some bricks may have chips or color variations
• Future repairs: Keep extra bricks for later repairs

Recommended waste factors:

• 5%: Simple rectangular walls with few openings
• 7-10%: Walls with windows, doors, or decorative patterns
• 10-15%: Complex designs or herringbone patterns

To account for openings in your wall:

• Calculate total wall area first (length x height)
• Subtract the area of each window and door opening
• Use the net wall area for brick calculations

Note: Even with openings, you may need extra bricks for headers and sills around windows and doors. Add 5-10% more to your waste factor for walls with many openings.