How to use the Brick Calculator
- Measure wall width and height to get area (m²). Deduct openings if needed.
- Select a standard UK brick or enter custom brick dimensions (mm) and mortar joint (typically 10 mm).
- Choose a wastage allowance (5–10%) for cuts and breakages.
- Review bricks per m² and total bricks. Export or copy the result.
Planning a tender? Use this as a benchmark, then order a QS estimate with BoQ, prelims, overheads and profit, and risk.
Standard UK brick sizes (with mortar)
- Standard house brick: 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm with ~10 mm joints
- Facing bricks: often similar to standard; confirm actual size from the supplier
Always check your product’s datasheet; small size changes affect bricks per m².
Bricks per m²: quick rules of thumb
- Half-brick wall (single skin): ~60 bricks/m²
- One-brick wall (double skin): ~120 bricks/m²
Bond choice (e.g., English or Flemish) and joint width can move these figures slightly.
Worked example: garden wall
Wall size: 4.0 m × 1.5 m = 6.0 m²
Single skin: 6.0 × 60 = 360 bricks
+10% wastage: 360 × 1.10 = 396 bricks
Tips to avoid under-ordering
- Measure carefully; round up where cuts are likely.
- Confirm brick size and joint width before ordering.
- Use higher wastage for complex bonds or frequent cuts.
Mortar allowance (rule of thumb)
For a 1:5 cement:sand mix, allow roughly 120 kg cement and ~0.4 m³ sand per 1,000 bricks. Adjust for joint width and brick size.