Brick Calculator: Bricks, Mortar & Wall Ties
Use this brick calculator to estimate brick quantities, Type N or S mortar bags, and masonry wall ties for veneer siding, garden walls, retaining facings, and pillars. Supports all standard ASTM brick sizes and editable bed joint mortar thicknesses.
Buy 1,139 bricks (~3 cubes of 500) + 8 bags of 80-lb Type N/S mortar and 57 masonry wall ties.
| Net Wall Face Area | 151 sq ft (openings: -9 sq ft) |
|---|---|
| Brick Profile & Dimensions | Modular (2.25" × 7.625") |
| Mortar Bed Joint Width | 0.375 inches |
| Bricks per Square Foot | 6.86 bricks / sq ft |
| Exact Bricks Needed | 1036 bricks |
| Total with 10% Cutting Waste | 1139 bricks |
| Palletized Strapped Cubes (500/cube) | 3 cubes (~1500 bricks) |
| Type N / S Mortar Pre-Mix | 8 bags (80-lb each) |
| Corrugated Wall Ties (16"×24") | 57 ties |
How to Measure for Brick Calculator
- Measure total wall length and wall height in feet to compute gross vertical wall surface area.
- Deduct all window, door, and garage openings (`Width × Height`) to obtain net brick face area.
- Select your brick format: standard Modular (3-5/8" × 2-1/4" × 7-5/8"), Standard, Queen, King, or Engineer.
- Set your mortar bed and head joint thickness (standard residential mortar joints are 3/8", with 1/2" used for rustic stone and brick blends).
How the Calculation Works
The brick calculator determines nominal face dimensions by adding the mortar joint thickness to the brick length and height: `Nominal Length = Brick Length + Joint` and `Nominal Height = Brick Height + Joint`. The number of bricks per square foot equals `144 / (Nominal Length" × Nominal Height")`. For standard Modular bricks with 3/8" joints: `144 / (8" × 2.625") = 6.86 bricks per square foot`. Total bricks = `Net Area × Bricks/Sq Ft × (1 + Waste %)`. Mortar is estimated at 7 bags (80-lb pre-mix) per 1,000 bricks laid.
- Modular bricks per sq ft = 6.86. Exact bricks = 151 × 6.86 = 1,036 bricks. With 10% cutting waste = 1,036 × 1.10 = 1,140 bricks. Retail cubes/straps (typically 500 bricks per cube) = ceil(1,140 / 500) = 3 cubes (1,500 bricks) or order 1,140 loose. Mortar required = (1,140 / 100) × 0.7 = 8.0 bags (80-lb Type N/S). Wall ties (spaced 16" o.c. vert × 24" horiz = ~2.67 sq ft/tie) = ceil(151 / 2.67) = 57 ties.
Brick Calculator Reference & Specifications
| Brick Format (ASTM) | Actual Size (D × H × L) | Nominal Size (3/8" Joint) | Bricks / Sq Ft | Weight per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular (Most Common) | 3-5/8" × 2-1/4" × 7-5/8" | 4" × 2-2/3" × 8" | 6.86 bricks/sq ft | 3,800 lbs |
| Standard | 3-1/2" × 2-1/4" × 8" | 4" × 2-2/3" × 8-3/8" | 6.55 bricks/sq ft | 4,000 lbs |
| Engineer / Modular Oversize | 3-5/8" × 2-3/4" × 7-5/8" | 4" × 3-1/5" × 8" | 5.76 bricks/sq ft | 4,400 lbs |
| Queen Size | 3" × 2-3/4" × 9-5/8" | 3-3/8" × 3-1/8" × 10" | 4.61 bricks/sq ft | 4,100 lbs |
| King Size | 3" × 2-5/8" × 9-5/8" | 3-3/8" × 3" × 10" | 4.80 bricks/sq ft | 4,200 lbs |
| Closure / 8-Square | 3-5/8" × 3-5/8" × 7-5/8" | 4" × 4" × 8" | 4.50 bricks/sq ft | 4,800 lbs |
| Utility Brick | 3-5/8" × 3-5/8" × 11-5/8" | 4" × 4" × 12" | 3.00 bricks/sq ft | 7,200 lbs |
Frequently Asked Questions About Brick Calculator
How many modular bricks are in one square foot of wall?
With standard 3/8-inch mortar joints, exactly 6.86 modular bricks are required per square foot. Tradespeople typically use 7 bricks per square foot as a rule of thumb for quick material estimates.
How many bricks come on a standard shipping pallet / cube?
Most brick manufacturers package clay face bricks in strapped bands or palletized "cubes" containing 500 to 525 bricks. A 500-brick cube weighs approximately 1,900 to 2,200 pounds and covers about 73 square feet of wall.
How much mortar do I need per 100 bricks?
For standard modular bricks with 3/8" joints, you need approximately 0.7 bags of 80-lb pre-mixed mortar per 100 bricks (or about 7 bags per 1,000 bricks). If mixing your own mortar from scratch, 1,000 bricks requires about 1,000 lbs of masonry sand and 7 bags of Type N or S masonry cement.
What is the difference between Type N and Type S mortar?
Type N is a medium-strength mortar (750 psi) recommended for above-grade exterior veneer and interior non-loadbearing walls where flexibility and weather resistance are paramount. Type S is a high-strength mortar (1,800 psi) designed for below-grade foundations, retaining walls, and structural masonry requiring high lateral flexural bond strength.
How many wall ties are required for brick veneer?
Building codes (IRC R703.8.4) require corrugated masonry wall ties spaced no more than 24 inches on center horizontally and 16 inches on center vertically. Each tie must support no more than 2.67 to 3.5 square feet of wall area. For a 150 sq ft veneer, install at least 56 to 60 wall ties nailed securely into wall studs.