Bricks Needed Calculator

The most common brick in the US is a "modular" brick, with actual dimensions of 7 5/8" long by 2 1/4" high. With a standard 3/8" mortar joint, it creates a module of 8" x 2 2/3". This calculator includes several common sizes, but always double-check the dimensions of the specific bricks you plan to purchase.

A 10% waste factor is a safe bet for most projects with a standard running bond pattern. This accounts for bricks that need to be cut at the ends of walls or around openings. For more complex patterns like herringbone or for walls with many windows and doors, you might increase this to 15%.

A wythe is a continuous vertical section of masonry one unit in thickness. A "single wythe" wall is one brick thick (typically used for veneers or facades). A "double wythe" wall is two bricks thick, often with an air gap or insulation in between, and is used for structural, load-bearing walls.

As a general rule, you will need approximately six to seven 80-pound bags of mortar mix for every 100 square feet of a single-wythe wall using standard bricks and a 3/8" joint. This calculator focuses on the brick count, so for a precise mortar estimate, consider using a dedicated mortar calculator.

Yes. For an accurate brick count, you should calculate the total area of the wall and then subtract the area of any large openings like doors and windows. The extra bricks accounted for in the waste factor will typically cover the additional cuts needed around these openings.

The bond is the pattern in which bricks are laid. The most common is the "running bond," where each brick is centered over the joint of the two bricks below it. Other patterns, like Flemish or English bonds, are more decorative and may require more cuts, increasing your waste factor.