Because eyeballing it only works half the time
A cinder block calculator helps you estimate how many blocks your project needs by dividing your total square footage by each block's square footage.
Expect to pay $115 to $225 per pallet of cinder blocks, plus $50 to $200 for delivery to bring materials directly to your home.
You calculate block quantities by measuring your project area, then dividing that square footage by the area of one standard block, which is 0.89 square feet.
Hiring a local block wall professional removes the guesswork from estimating materials and mortar, keeping your foundation or wall project on track and properly built.
How many cinder blocks do I need? Whether you’re tackling foundation repair, building a cinder block wall, assembling a storm shelter, or undergoing another cinder block project, you can estimate the amount of materials you need with this cinder block calculator.
Refer to the table below to estimate how many cinder blocks and bags of mortar you’ll need based on the square footage of your project. This is a good starting point, but it will ultimately depend on how large the cinder blocks are.
| Square Feet | Number of Cinder Blocks | Number of Bags of Mortar |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 45 | 2 |
| 100 | 113 | 4 |
| 150 | 169 | 6 |
| 200 | 225 | 8 |
| 250 | 281 | 10 |
The first step to estimating how many cinder blocks you need for your project is to determine the area of the project in square feet. To do that, use the following formula:
Area = Length x Width
Next, calculate the square footage of the blocks you’re using by multiplying the length by the width of the blocks and then dividing by the number of square inches in a foot (144).
Block area (in square feet) = (Length x Width) / 144
A standard-size cinder block is 16 inches long and 8 inches high, which is 0.89 square feet.
Finally, divide the square footage of the total project by the square footage of the cinder block to get the number of cinder blocks you need to complete the project and ultimately estimate the cinder block wall cost.
Number of Cinder Blocks = Project Square Footage / Cinder Block Square Footage
When calculating how many cinder blocks you need, you're usually measuring a rectangular or square area, like for a wall, raised bed, or patio. In these cases, you find the total square footage of the space and divide it by the area of one block (in square feet) using a tape measure.
If you're using blocks for edging or borders, you’ll measure in linear feet instead. Some projects may have irregular shapes, but you can break those into smaller rectangles or triangles to simplify the math. Always add 5 to 10% extra to account for cuts or mistakes.
If you need help with your cinder block wall, foundation, or storm shelter, you can hire a local block wall professional who will be able to calculate how many cinder blocks you’ll need as well as the amount of mortar and then install the project. If you’re working on repairing your foundation, you can contact a foundation repair specialist near you to take a look and give you a quote.
Corey Carr was great. I had damage from a recent storm and needed to have my mast and other components replaced. The project entailed coordinating with AEP, and Corey helped make a stressful situation a lot less stressful. I really appreciated his dedication to service and the job very well done.
Mr. Electric of ColumbusI recently moved to another state and chose United Trust Van Lines after comparing several companies. Their team was punctual, professional, and extremely careful with my belongings. I was especially impressed with how they handled my home office setup and fragile items. Everything arrived on...
United Trust Van Lines, LLCVery professional, knowledgeable and helpful! Completed the install on time and as expected.
Ward's ServicesCole has been handling plumbing and general contracting for our four properties over the past three years, and he’s always done a great job. Most recently, he installed a sink and countertop in our retail store where none existed before, and it turned out exactly how we needed. He’s...
ANB Renovations LLCWe have bought and sold numerous times over the past 50 years. Sherman Hall and Top Line are top notch. Thorough and detailed, he explains every possibility, probability, and eventuality. High class and pleasant. The best.
Top Line Home Inspections, LLCVery easy to talk to, helped me enormously and will be back for more projects I have. Quick and knowledgeable, very professional and a high quality personality!
Elwood's Mobile WeldingCouldn't ask for a better company. Josh and Dee were Very professional, efficient, courteous and takes major pride in their work. They will travel to come to your home and will still give you a fair price. They are honest and trust worthy. Their focus is on their work and their work is...
Supreme brick & chimneyProfessional and great to work with. Reliable, detail-oriented and knowledgeable. Will hire again in the future!
P&P Painting, LLCIt was a difficult job and Robert and his son worked diligently to get it done.
I had a tight deadline for a commercial painting project, and Custom Paint Jobs LLC delivered on time and within budget. Their efficiency and quality are top-notch.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Before you build that sturdy wall, you should know about cinder block prices. Learn about different cinder block wall cost factors in this handy guide.
Discover how much concrete walls cost based on factors like their size, material, location, design, and local labor rates.
From bricks to blocks and stone projects, our mortar calculator can help you figure out just how much mortar you need so you don’t run out or overdo it.
Not sure how to calculate blocks for your retaining wall? Here’s how to figure it out based on the size of your wall and the dimensions of your blocks.
Keeping your home structurally sound is essential for your safety. Discover 4 methods for block foundation repair and which is right for your home.
Need to protect your loved ones during storm season? We discuss how to build a cinder block storm shelter to ensure safety and durability.
