Brick Calculator: How Many Bricks Do I Need?
Don’t hit a wall when calculating the number of bricks you need
How many bricks you need depends on the wall size and brick type.
Expect to purchase between 432 and 666 bricks for a 12-foot-by-8-foot wall.
A masonry contractor can advise on the correct number of bricks for your project.
Bricks offer a timeless and lasting look to any home. Whether you want to build an exterior brick wall or install brick veneer siding on your home, you’ll need to know how many bricks you need to complete your project. This guide explores the answer to the question, “How many bricks do I need?” so you can purchase the correct materials for your project.
How Many Bricks Are Needed for the Project?
The number of bricks you need depends on the type of brick and the size of the wall you’re building. Here are some common brick types, dimensions, and the number required for a 12-foot-by-8-foot wall.
| Type of Brick | Brick Dimensions in Inches | # of Bricks Needed for 12’x8’ Residential Wall |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8 x 2 1/4 | 666 |
| Modular | 7 5/8 x 2 1/4 | 666 |
| Roman | 11 5/8 x 1 5/8 | 576 |
| Queen | 7 5/8 x 2 3/4 | 558 |
| Jumbo | 8 x 2 3/4 | 558 |
| Norman | 11 5/8 x 2 1/4 | 444 |
| Closure | 7 5/8 x 3 5/8 | 432 |
| Utility | 11 5/8 x 3 5/8 | 288 |
How to Calculate How Many Bricks You Need
Before you can calculate the number of bricks required for your project, you need to know the size of the bricks you’ve chosen and the dimensions of your wall. Bear in mind that you’ll need to account for a 3/8-inch mortar bed between each brick. When you have those numbers, plug them into the following equation:
Number of Bricks Required = Wall Square Footage / Brick and Mortar Square Footage
Plan to order around 10% more bricks than you think you’ll need to account for breakage or mistakes.
How to Measure for Bricks
There are two steps to measuring the number of bricks you need to build a wall: measuring the wall's square footage, followed by the brick’s square footage. Here’s how to do it:
Multiply the wall's length and width to get the total area's square footage.
Add 3/8-inch for the mortar bed to the length and width of the brick.
Multiply the length and width of the brick to get the total square inches.
Divide the brick’s square inches by 144 to get the total square footage.
Divide the wall square footage by the brick square footage to get the total number of bricks needed.
For example, say you want to build a 12-foot-by-10-foot wall (120 square feet) using modular bricks (7 5/8 x 2 1/4 inches).
First, add 3/8 inch to the brick dimensions to get 8 x 2 5/8.
Then, multiply those numbers to get 21.
After dividing 21 by 144, you have an area of 0.1458 square feet per brick and mortar bed.
Finally, divide 120 square feet by 0.1458 to get 823 bricks.
To be safe, order an extra 82 bricks (10%) for a total of 905 bricks.
Who to Hire to Build a Brick Wall
Although it’s possible to DIY a basic brick wall, the best route is to hire a masonry contractor near you—especially if you’re building a large garden wall or residential wall that requires the proper support and installation to ensure its stability. Improperly building a wall can lead to damage over time, and if the bricks begin to wobble, the wall can even collapse, potentially causing property damage or personal injury. Then, you’ll have to consider the cost of rebricking a house.
Frequently Asked Questions
The exact cost of bricks depends on the type and size of the bricks you use for your project. Generally, standard clay bricks cost between $350 and $850 for a thousand bricks, or an average of $550. Brick veneer costs around the same for materials but is easier to install than solid bricks, so you’ll save on labor by choosing this option.
The number of bricks you need for a 12-foot-by-12-foot wall depends on the type of brick you choose. For utility bricks, you’ll need around 432. For modular bricks, you’ll need around 990. For Queen bricks, you’ll need around 846. For King bricks, you’ll need around 720. And for Norman bricks, you’ll need around 660. You’ll need to learn how to cut bricks if you’re building the wall without a contractor, so it’s best to order 10% more than you need to account for mistakes.
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