How does it estimate brick numbers?
It divides the wall area by the area each brick covers including its mortar joint, then adds a wastage percentage. The result is rounded up to whole bricks.
// engineering › Civil
Brick Quantity Calculator
Estimate how many bricks a wall needs, allowing for the mortar joint around each brick and a wastage percentage. For estimation only.
bricks = wall area / (brick face area incl. mortar joint) × (1 + wastage)
Frequently asked questions
Why include the mortar joint?
Because each brick sits in a bed of mortar, so it effectively occupies a little more than its own face. Ignoring the joint would overestimate how many bricks you need.
Is this for a single-skin or double wall?
The estimate is for a single skin (one brick thick). A double-skin or cavity wall roughly doubles the count, so multiply accordingly or check with your builder.
Why add wastage?
Bricks get cut at corners and openings, and some arrive broken. A wastage allowance of around 5 percent keeps you from running out mid-job.
Will the number be exact?
No, it is an estimate. Bond pattern, openings for doors and windows, and brick size all shift the real total, so order a little extra and confirm with your supplier.