How to Use
- Enter wall dimensions
Input the wall length and height, plus the total area of any openings (windows, doors).
- Select brick size
Choose the brick dimensions and mortar joint thickness, or enter custom values.
- View results
Click Calculate to see the number of bricks required and estimated cost.
What is brick quantity estimation?
Brick quantity estimation is the foundational step of any masonry estimate: you divide the wall area you intend to build by the cross-sectional area of a single brick including the mortar joint to find how many bricks are needed. The key is that the basis is not the bare brick dimensions but the 'effective area' that adds the thickness of the mortar joint between bricks. Ignore the joint and you will order far more bricks than you actually need.
Why it matters
- Material cost savings: Over-ordering wastes money, while a shortfall forces a re-order in a different colour or batch.
- Schedule control: An accurate count is the basis for hauling, stacking and labour estimates.
From DIY projects such as garden walls, fireplaces, planters and feature walls through to full-scale masonry work, this is the starting point of every estimate.
Calculation formula
Bricks per m² = 1 ÷ ((brick width+joint)/1000 × (brick height+joint)/1000)
Bricks needed = ⌈wall area × bricks per m²⌉, with waste = ⌈needed × (1 + waste%/100)⌉
Example
For a 5 m × 2.5 m wall (area 12.5 m²) using a Korean standard brick of 190×57 mm with a 10 mm joint: one effective brick = 0.200 m × 0.067 m = 0.0134 m², so ≈ 74.63 bricks per m². Bricks needed = ⌈12.5 × 74.63⌉ = 933 bricks. Applying a 5% waste allowance, ⌈933 × 1.05⌉ = 980 bricks (47 spare).