Quick answer
For the most common US brick, modular, laid with 3/8 in mortar joints in a wall one brick thick, plan on about 6.86 bricks per square foot. Many published tables use 6.75, which comes from the nominal 2-2/3 in course height (three courses to 8 in). For Australian standard bricks it is about 48 per m², and for UK bricks about 59 to 60 per m².
Bricks per square foot by type
| Brick | Size (L × H × D) | 3/8 in joint | 1/2 in joint |
|---|---|---|---|
| US modular | 7-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 3-5/8 in | 6.86 | 6.44 |
| US standard | 8 × 2-1/4 × 3-5/8 in | 6.55 | 6.16 |
| US utility | 11-5/8 × 3-5/8 × 3-5/8 in | 3 | 2.88 |
| Brick | Size (L × H × D) | 10 mm joint, per m² | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian standard | 230 × 76 × 110 mm | 48.4 | 4.5 |
| UK standard | 215 × 65 × 102.5 mm | 59.3 | 5.51 |
All figures are for a single wythe (one brick thick) in running bond, before waste.
The formula
Add one joint to the brick's length and height. That gives the patch of wall each brick occupies. Divide one square foot (144 sq in) or one square meter by that patch.
bricks per sq ft = 144 ÷ ((length + joint) × (height + joint))
For US modular brick: (7.625 + 0.375) × (2.25 + 0.375) = 8 × 2.625 = 21 sq in. 144 ÷ 21 = 6.86. For an Australian brick: 240 × 86 mm = 0.02064 m², and 1 ÷ 0.02064 = 48.4 per m².
The depth of the brick does not change the count for a single wythe; it only changes the mortar and the wall thickness.
Counting by courses instead
Masons often count brick by courses rather than by area. A US modular brick with a 3/8 in joint is 8 in long in the wall, so each course takes 1.5 bricks per foot of wall length. Each course is 2.625 in high, so one foot of height holds 4.57 courses. Multiply the two and you are back to 6.86 bricks per square foot. Counting by courses is handy for long, low walls, and for checking that the wall height works out to whole courses.
Double walls and bond patterns
- Double wythe: two layers of brick side by side, as in many solid garden walls. Double the count.
- Running bond: the usual half-lap pattern. The figures above apply directly.
- Stack bond: bricks directly above each other. Same count, but it needs joint reinforcement to be sound.
- Flemish or English bond: some bricks are turned end-out as headers, tying two wythes together. Count the wall as two wythes.
- Brick paving: bricks laid flat show a larger face, so you need fewer per square foot than in a wall. Use the paver calculator for paving.
Worked example
A garden wall 30 ft long and 4 ft high has 120 sq ft per face. In US modular brick with 3/8 in joints, a single-wythe wall takes 120 × 6.86 = 823 bricks. A double-wythe wall takes 1,646. With 5 percent extra for cuts and breakage, order about 1,729 for the double wall. Run your own numbers in the brick calculator, which also subtracts openings and estimates mortar.
How much waste to allow
| Job | Typical extra |
|---|---|
| Long straight walls | 5% |
| Walls with corners and openings | 5 to 10% |
| Arches, curves, many cuts, reclaimed brick | 10 to 15% |
Reclaimed brick often has more broken or unusable units, so allow more. Keep a few spare bricks from the same batch for future repairs, because matching color later can be hard.
Measuring the wall
- Measure the length and height of each wall face and multiply.
- Subtract doors, windows and other openings.
- Multiply by bricks per square foot for your brick and joint.
- Double it for a two-wythe wall, then add waste.
Safety and code notes
Freestanding brick walls are heavy and can overturn in wind or if the footing settles. Height, thickness, footing and reinforcement rules apply, especially for walls over about 3 to 4 ft and for any wall that retains soil. Check local code, and use a qualified mason or engineer for structural work. Cut brick with water or dust extraction, and wear eye and hearing protection.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in 100 square feet?
About 686 US modular bricks with 3/8 in joints, for a wall one brick thick, before waste.
How many bricks per square meter in Australia?
About 48 standard 230 × 76 mm bricks per square meter with 10 mm joints, for a single-skin wall.
Does a thicker mortar joint mean fewer bricks?
Yes. With US modular brick, going from 3/8 in to 1/2 in joints drops the count from 6.86 to 6.44 per square foot.
Do the math for your own project.
Open the brick calculator