How to use this calculator
- Measure the wall. Length × height for each wall section. Subtract openings (doors, windows) at full size.
- Pick bricks per square foot. Modular: 7. Queen: 6.5. Engineer: 6. Oversize: 5.7. Norman (long): 4.5. Always check the manufacturer spec for the exact figure.
- Enter price per brick (optional). Standard red brick: $0.45–$0.80. Premium / handmade: $0.80–$2.50. Reclaimed: $1.50–$4.00.
- Read your bill of materials. Bricks (with 5% waste), mortar bags, sand. With prices, total estimate.
Formula
Bricks = Wall Area × Bricks per ft² + 5% waste
Worked example
A 20 × 8 ft wall (160 ft²) of modular brick: 1,176 bricks (with 5% waste), 6 bags of mortar (70 lb), 1.6 tons of sand. At $0.65/brick + $9/bag + $30/ton: $836 in materials.
Common project sizes
Quick reference for the most common brick calculator use cases. Use these as a sanity check on your calculator inputs.
| Project | Dimensions | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Front wall veneer (40 × 8 ft) | 320 ft² | ~2,352 bricks · 11 bags mortar |
| Chimney (4 × 4 × 30 ft tall) | 480 ft² | ~3,528 bricks · 16 bags mortar |
| Garden wall (40 × 4 ft) | 160 ft² | ~1,176 bricks · 6 bags mortar |
| Whole-house veneer (1,800 ft²) | 1,800 ft² | ~13,230 bricks · 60 bags mortar · 18 tons sand |
2026 cost reference
Typical retail price range in the United States for brick. Local pricing varies by region, supplier, and grade — confirm with two or three quotes before ordering.
Per square foot (installed)
$14 – $50
Standard red brick veneer: $14–$25/ft² installed. Premium / handmade: $25–$45/ft². Reclaimed antique: $30–$60/ft². Stone-look brick: $20–$35/ft². Materials alone are $5–$15/ft².
Tips for accurate results
- A standard mortar bag (70 lb) lays about 30 ft² of brick at 3/8" joint. Buy 1 extra for full-job tolerance.
- Sand requirement: 1 ton of mason's sand per 100 ft² of brick. Mason's sand is finer than concrete sand — don't substitute.
- For thin brick veneer (½-inch thick), the brick count per ft² is the same; you skip the structural masonry but still need adhesive.
- Always order bricks in pallets (typically 500 bricks = 1 pallet). Color and texture vary slightly between batches; mix from multiple pallets to avoid streaks.
- Plan for 3% breakage during shipping plus 2% breakage during cutting/laying.
When to consult a pro
Brick laying is a skilled trade with a real learning curve — joint consistency and plumb walls require practice. For garden walls under 4 ft, DIY is workable. Anything load-bearing, taller than 4 ft, or visible from a street: hire a mason. Reclaimed brick is especially tricky because each brick varies in size and condition.