Free Brick and Mortar Calculator
Estimate total bricks, cubic feet of mortar, and premixed 80lb mortar bags needed for retaining walls, garden planters, and masonry facades.
📐 Wall Dimensions & Brick Size
📊 Materials Required
Recommended Tools & Equipment
Tested hardware and components for high reliability
Estimating Brickwork & Mortar Ratios
Masonry calculations rely on nominal dimensions (the physical brick dimensions plus one mortar joint). For standard modular bricks (7⅝" long by 2¼" high) with a ⅜" mortar joint, the nominal unit face is exactly 8" × 2⅝".
The 7 Bricks Per Square Foot Rule
For standard modular brickwork in a single wythe wall, contractors use a rule-of-thumb of 6.86 to 7.0 bricks per square foot of wall elevation.
Mortar Bag Coverage
One standard 80 lb bag of premixed masonry cement produces approximately 0.67 cubic feet of wet mortar, which lays approximately 35 to 40 standard modular bricks when accounting for bed joints and head joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Type N and Type S mortar?
Type N mortar (750 PSI) is a medium-strength mix ideal for above-grade exterior and interior brick walls. Type S mortar (1,800 PSI) has higher compressive strength and lateral flexural bond, required for below-grade foundations, retaining walls, and seismic zones.
How many bricks come on a standard pallet?
A standard brick pallet typically holds between 500 and 530 modular bricks, weighing roughly 2,000 to 2,400 lbs (around 1 ton).
What is a 'wythe' in masonry?
A wythe is a single vertical layer or tier of masonry one unit in thickness. A single-wythe wall is 4" thick; a double-wythe cavity wall consists of two parallel brick tiers bonded together.