A wall of modular brick (7⅝ × 2¼ × 3⅝ in) takes 6.75 bricks per square foot, or 675 per 100 sq ft, in a single layer laid in running bond. Bigger bricks need fewer: about 4.5 per sq ft for Norman or king-size brick and 3 for utility brick. The figures already allow for the mortar joint; add at least 5% for breakage and cuts.
The brick calculator uses these Brick Industry Association (BIA) figures and subtracts doors and windows.
Bricks and mortar per square foot
| Brick | Size (L × H × W) | Bricks per sq ft | Mortar per 100 sq ft, ⅜ in joint | Mortar per 100 sq ft, ½ in joint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular | 7⅝ × 2¼ × 3⅝ in | 6.75 | 5.5 cu ft | 6.9 cu ft |
| Standard | 8 × 2¼ × 3⅝ in | 6.55 | 9.5 cu ft | 11.0 cu ft |
| Engineer modular | 7⅝ × 2¹³⁄₁₆ × 3⅝ in | 5.63 | 4.8 cu ft | 6.1 cu ft |
| Queen | about 8 × 2¾ × 3 in | 5.50 | 6.7 cu ft | 7.4 cu ft |
| King | about 9⅝ × 2¾ × 3 in | 4.55 | 6.5 cu ft | 7.3 cu ft |
| Norman | 11⅝ × 2¼ × 3⅝ in | 4.50 | 5.1 cu ft | 6.5 cu ft |
| Closure modular | 7⅝ × 3⅝ × 3⅝ in | 4.50 | 4.1 cu ft | 5.2 cu ft |
| Utility | 11⅝ × 3⅝ × 3⅝ in | 3.00 | 3.7 cu ft | 4.7 cu ft |
Why modular brick comes out to 6.75
Modular brick is sized so that a brick plus a ⅜ in joint measures 8 in long and 2⅔ in high. Three courses rise 8 in, so one brick with its joints takes 8 × 2⅔ = 21⅓ sq in of wall face. A square foot is 144 sq in, and 144 ÷ 21⅓ = 6.75. With a ½ in joint modular brick is made slightly smaller, so the count stays the same; only the mortar changes.
Worked example
A garden wall is 25 ft long and 4 ft high: 100 sq ft. In modular brick that is 675 bricks; with 5% extra, 708.75, so 709 bricks. Mortar is 5.5 cu ft per 100 sq ft with ⅜ in joints; BIA suggests adding 15% to 25%, so plan about 6.3 to 6.9 cu ft. To turn that into bags, see how many bags of mortar for 100 bricks.
What changes the count
- Bond pattern. The figures are for running bond. Flemish, English and common bond include headers (bricks turned across the wall) and need more brick.
- Wall thickness. A double-wythe wall takes twice the brick, plus mortar for the joint between the layers.
- Openings and corners. Subtract doors and windows, but expect extra cutting around them.
- Waste. BIA recommends at least 5% extra brick; order it in one batch so the color matches.
Bricks for common wall sizes
| Wall | Area | Modular bricks | Norman or king bricks | Mortar, modular ⅜ in joint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 × 3 ft | 30 sq ft | 213 | 142 | 2.0 cu ft |
| 20 × 3 ft | 60 sq ft | 426 | 284 | 4.0 cu ft |
| 25 × 4 ft | 100 sq ft | 709 | 473 | 6.6 cu ft |
| 40 × 4 ft | 160 sq ft | 1134 | 756 | 10.6 cu ft |
| 30 × 8 ft | 240 sq ft | 1701 | 1134 | 15.8 cu ft |
Bricks per square meter
One square meter is 10.76 sq ft, so modular brick works out to about 72.7 bricks per m² (6.75 × 10.76), Norman or king brick about 48 to 49 per m², and utility brick about 32 per m². The brick calculator accepts metric measurements and does this conversion.
Frequently asked questions
Does the joint size change the brick count?
For modular brick, no: the bricks are made slightly smaller for a ½ in joint so the module stays the same. The joint size changes the mortar quantity.
How many bricks are in a pallet?
It depends on the plant and the brick; ask the supplier how many bricks of your size come in a cube or pallet, then divide your count by that number.
Is a garden wall a structural wall?
Low garden walls still need a footing, and tall freestanding or retaining walls need a design for the site. Check local code before building.
Sources
- Brick Industry Association, Technical Note 10: Dimensioning and Estimating Brick Masonry (brick and mortar per 100 sq ft, waste allowances)
