Brick Wall Calculator
Calculate the number of bricks or concrete blocks, cement bags and sand required for a masonry wall.
What this calculates
Calculates wall area, number of bricks or blocks (with waste), cement bags and sand bags for the mortar.
Formula used
Area = length × height. Units = area × bricks/m² × (1 + waste). Cement and sand are estimated from the wall area using standard ratios for a 1:4 mortar mix.
Worked example
A wall of 5 m × 2.5 m = 12.5 m². Standard brick at 50/m² + 5% waste = 657 bricks. Cement: 4 bags of 25 kg. Sand: 13 bags of 30 kg.
Bricks per m² reference
Standard brick (215×102×65 mm, 10 mm joint): ~50/m² per course. Concrete block (400×200×200 mm): ~13/m². Double-brick walls: multiply by 2. Always confirm with your specific brick dimensions.
When not to use this calculator
Structural walls, retaining walls, arched openings and walls with complex bonding patterns require engineering design. This calculator gives quantities for simple single-leaf walls.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks do I need per m²?
About 50 for standard bricks with 10 mm joints. About 13 for concrete blocks (400×200 mm face). Add 5% for waste.
How much mortar for a brick wall?
Approximately 0.3 bags of cement (25 kg) and 1 bag of sand (30 kg) per m² for a 1:4 mix and standard brick. This varies by brick size and joint thickness.
Standard brick vs concrete block?
Bricks are smaller (215×102×65 mm), slower to lay, often used for face/decorative walls. Concrete blocks are larger, faster to lay, used for structural walls where appearance is less critical.
How do I calculate bricks for a wall?
Area (m²) × bricks per m² × (1 + waste%) = total bricks needed. Round up.
Assumptions
- Standard brick: ~50 units/m² (single leaf, 10 mm joints).
- Concrete block: ~13 units/m² (400×200 mm face, 10 mm joints).
- Mortar: based on 1:4 cement:sand ratio.
- Does not include lintels, reinforcement, wall ties or DPC.
- Single-leaf wall only — double for cavity walls.
Load-bearing walls, walls with openings, retaining walls and foundation walls require engineering design. Confirm brick density and mortar specifications with your engineer.
Common mistakes
- Not accounting for openings (doors, windows) — measure and deduct them from total wall area.
- Using the wrong brick count per m² for your specific brick size.
- Forgetting to include mortar materials in the budget.