Last updated: 2026-03-30
Quick Answer
A standard brick (3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 8") with 3/8" mortar joints covers 6.55 bricks per square foot of wall face. For a typical 20 ft x 8 ft wall (160 sq ft), that is roughly 1,048 bricks plus 8 bags of 80 lb Type N mortar. This calculator handles four brick sizes, four bond patterns, opening deductions, waste factor, and material cost estimates.
Inputs you'll need
- Wall length (total linear feet)
- Wall height (feet - 8 ft is standard single-story)
- Brick size (Standard, Modular, Queen, or King Size)
- Bond pattern (Running, Stack, Flemish, or English)
- Number of doors and windows (for opening deductions)
- Waste percentage (5% is typical for simple walls)
Planning a block wall instead? Use our Cinder Block Wall Calculator for CMU takeoffs. For concrete foundations under the wall, try the Concrete Footing Calculator.
How to use this brick calculator
- Enter wall length and height in feet.
- Select your brick size - Standard is the most common residential choice.
- Pick a bond pattern. Running bond works for 90%+ of residential walls.
- Add doors and windows so bricks are deducted for openings.
- Set your waste factor (5% for simple walls, 10% for complex layouts).
- Optionally enter your zip code or state for regional pricing adjustments.
Once you have your brick count, Try EstimationPro free to turn this takeoff into a professional proposal that follows up with the homeowner automatically so you win more of the bids you already send.
Total linear feet of wall
8 ft is standard single-story
Most common - offset by half
Standard 3' × 6'8"
Standard 3' × 4'
5% typical, 10% for complex patterns
12,800+ estimates calculated this month
Brick Estimate
Bricks Needed
1,101
Standard (incl. 5% waste)
Mortar Bags
8
80 lb Type N
Wall Details
Mortar & Sand
Pre-mixed bags are easiest for small jobs. For walls over 500 bricks, consider buying bulk sand and Portland cement.
Material Cost Estimate
Installed Cost (Labor + Materials)
Includes standard brick, mortar, labor for single-wythe veneer. Does not include structural backup wall, lintels, ties, or foundation work.
Brick Estimating Guide
Brick sizes, bond patterns, mortar types, and coverage rates for accurate masonry takeoffs.
Common Brick Sizes and Coverage Rates
Standard bricks (3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 8") cover about 6.55 bricks per square foot of wall when laid with 3/8" mortar joints in running bond. This is the most common size for residential and commercial work in the U.S.
- Standard: 3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 8" - The most common residential brick. About 6.55 per sq ft. Roughly 500 bricks per pallet.
- Modular: 3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 7-5/8" - Designed to match standard coursing with 3/8" joints. About 6.86 per sq ft. Most commonly specified on architectural drawings.
- Queen: 3-1/8" x 2-3/4" x 7-5/8" - Taller face, fewer courses per foot. About 5.76 per sq ft. Popular in the Southeast U.S.
- King Size: 3" x 2-5/8" x 9-5/8" - Larger face covers more wall per brick. About 4.8 per sq ft. Saves labor but costs more per unit.
All coverage rates assume 3/8" mortar joints in running bond. Flemish and English bonds use about 5% more bricks due to header courses.
Key Takeaways
- Standard brick: 6.55 bricks per sq ft with 3/8" mortar joints
- Modular brick is the most commonly specified on drawings
- King Size covers the most wall area per brick
Bond Patterns and When to Use Each
Running bond is used in 90%+ of residential brickwork because it is the strongest, easiest to lay, and produces the least waste.
- Running Bond: Each course is offset by half a brick. Strongest pattern for single-wythe walls. Standard for veneer, foundations, and structural walls.
- Stack Bond: Bricks aligned vertically with no offset. Weaker structurally - requires horizontal joint reinforcement every other course. Used primarily for decorative/accent walls.
- Flemish Bond: Alternating header (short face) and stretcher (long face) bricks in each course. Classic look from colonial architecture. Uses about 5% more bricks due to headers.
- English Bond: Alternating full courses of headers and stretchers. Very strong pattern, common in foundation walls and historical restoration. Also uses about 5% more bricks.
Header bricks create waste because you cut or use half-bricks at wall ends. Budget an extra 5% material for Flemish or English bond beyond the standard waste factor.
Key Takeaways
- Running bond is strongest and most common (90%+ of residential work)
- Stack bond is decorative only - needs horizontal reinforcement
- Flemish and English bonds add ~5% more bricks for headers
Mortar Types for Brickwork
Type N mortar is the standard for above-grade brick veneer and most residential brickwork. It provides a good balance of strength and flexibility.
- Type N (750 PSI): Best all-around choice for above-grade exterior walls. Flexible enough to accommodate minor movement without cracking. Standard for brick veneer.
- Type S (1,800 PSI): Higher strength for below-grade applications, retaining walls, and areas with high lateral loads (wind, seismic). Harder to work with but more durable.
- Type O (350 PSI): Low-strength mortar for interior non-load-bearing walls and historical repointing where soft mortar is needed to match the original.
Coverage: Plan on 7 bags of 80 lb pre-mixed mortar per 1,000 bricks. A single 80 lb bag lays about 140 standard bricks. For large jobs, site-mixing with Portland cement, lime, and sand is more economical - figure about 1 ton of sand per 1,000 bricks.
Brick mortar joints are typically 3/8", not 1/2" like some older references suggest. The 3/8" joint matches the modular brick coursing system.
Key Takeaways
- Type N mortar is standard for most residential brick veneer
- 7 bags of 80 lb mortar per 1,000 standard bricks
- 3/8" mortar joints are standard for brick
Brick Veneer vs. Structural Brick
Almost all residential brick construction since the 1960s is veneer, not structural. Understanding the difference matters for estimating because veneer is a single wythe (one brick thick) tied to a backup wall.
- Brick Veneer: Single layer of brick (3-5/8" thick) attached to a wood or steel stud backup wall with metal ties. The stud wall carries the structural load. This calculator estimates veneer quantities by default.
- Double Wythe (Structural): Two layers of brick with a collar joint or filled cavity. Self-supporting. Rare in new construction but common in pre-1960s homes. Requires roughly double the brick count.
- Brick ties: Corrugated metal ties connect veneer to the backup wall. Space them 24" horizontally, 16" vertically (one per 2.67 sq ft). A 100 sq ft wall needs about 37 ties.
Veneer requires a 1" minimum air space between the brick and the backup wall for moisture drainage. Factor in flashing at the base, weep holes every 24", and lintels above openings.
Key Takeaways
- Modern residential brick is veneer (single wythe), not structural
- Brick ties: 1 per 2.67 sq ft (24" horiz, 16" vert spacing)
- 1" air space required between veneer and backup wall
Brick count examples (4 test cases)
Use these to double-check your numbers. Brick counts shown include waste unless noted.
| Case | Wall | Expected |
|---|---|---|
| Garden wall | 10 ft x 4 ft, Standard, Running bond, 5% waste | 40 sq ft x 6.55 = 262 bricks x 1.05 = 276 bricks, 2 mortar bags |
| Single-story wall | 20 ft x 8 ft, Standard, Running bond, 5% waste | 160 sq ft x 6.55 = 1,048 x 1.05 = 1,101 bricks, 8 mortar bags |
| Veneer with openings | 40 ft x 8 ft, Standard, Running bond, 1 door + 2 windows, 5% waste | 320 sq ft - 44 sq ft openings = 276 sq ft x 6.55 = 1,808 x 1.05 = 1,899 bricks, 14 mortar bags |
| Flemish bond accent | 12 ft x 4 ft, Modular, Flemish bond, 10% waste | 48 sq ft x 6.86 = 330 x 1.05 pattern x 1.10 waste = 382 bricks, 3 mortar bags |
Brick sizes and coverage at a glance
| Brick Type | Dimensions | Bricks / sq ft | Per 100 sq ft | Price Each |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 8" | 6.55 | 655 | $0.45-$1.25 |
| Modular | 3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 7-5/8" | 6.86 | 686 | $0.50-$1.30 |
| Queen | 3-1/8" x 2-3/4" x 7-5/8" | 5.76 | 576 | $0.55-$1.40 |
| King Size | 3" x 2-5/8" x 9-5/8" | 4.80 | 480 | $0.65-$1.60 |
Common mistakes with brick estimates
- Using the wrong mortar joint size. Brick uses 3/8" mortar joints. Some older references show 1/2" joints, which throws off your brick count. A 1/2" joint reduces brick quantity by about 8% - your order will come up short if you mix these up.
- Forgetting bond pattern waste. Running bond is straightforward, but Flemish and English bonds need header bricks (or cut bricks) that add about 5% more material. Budget for it.
- Not deducting openings. A standard door (20 sq ft) saves about 131 bricks, and a standard window (12 sq ft) saves about 79. On a house with 8 windows and 2 doors, that is over 670 bricks you do not need to buy.
- Ordering the wrong brick size. "Standard" and "Modular" look similar but have different lengths (8" vs 7-5/8"). If your drawings spec one and you order the other, your coursing will not match and you will have joint alignment problems.
- Skipping the structural backup wall. Brick veneer does not stand on its own. It needs a wood or steel stud backup wall, brick ties, flashing at the base, and weep holes. Budget for these separately.
From brick count to a finished bid
I've been in the trades for 20+ years, and I know how much time goes into turning a material takeoff into a real bid. Counting bricks is just step one. You still need to price it, write it up, send it, and follow up before someone else wins the job. EstimationPro handles the full workflow - estimate, proposal, automated follow-up, invoicing - so you spend less time on paperwork and more time on the work that pays. Try EstimationPro free.
How to Use This Calculator
Enter wall length and height
Measure total linear feet of wall and height in feet. Standard single-story is 8 ft.
Select your brick size
Choose Standard, Modular, Queen, or King Size bricks. Standard (3-5/8" x 2-1/4" x 8") is the most common for residential work.
Pick a bond pattern
Running bond is standard for most walls. Flemish and English bonds add about 5% more bricks for the header courses.
Add openings and waste
Enter door and window counts so bricks are deducted. Set waste to 5% for simple walls, 10% for complex layouts with lots of cuts.
Brick Calculator Formulas
Net Wall Area = (Length × Height) - Openings
Base Bricks = Net Area × Bricks per Sq Ft
Pattern Bricks = Base Bricks × (1 + Pattern Waste%)
Total Bricks = Pattern Bricks × (1 + Waste%)
Mortar Bags = (Total Bricks ÷ 1000) × 7
Sand (tons) = Total Bricks ÷ 1000Where:
- Bricks per Sq Ft
- = 6.55 (Standard), 6.86 (Modular), 5.76 (Queen), 4.80 (King Size) with 3/8" joints
- Pattern Waste%
- = 0% for Running/Stack bond, 5% for Flemish/English bond (header courses)
- Waste%
- = Overage for breakage, cuts, and field adjustments (5% typical, 10% for complex work)
- 7 bags / 1,000 bricks
- = Industry standard for 80 lb Type N pre-mixed mortar
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks do I need per square foot?
How many bricks are in a pallet?
How much mortar do I need for 1,000 bricks?
How much does a brick wall cost per square foot?
What is the difference between running bond and Flemish bond?
What type of mortar should I use for brick?
How much waste should I add for brick?
How long does it take to lay a brick wall?
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