Brick Calculator
Calculate the number of bricks and mortar needed to build a wall. Free online brick calculator with standard brick size presets.
Bricks = Volume of Wall ÷ Volume per Brick (with mortar)
Wall volume = 100.00 ft² × 9 in ÷ 12 = 75.00 ft³
413 bricks
Total incl. wastage
Bricks (no wastage)
394
Mortar Volume
52.50 ft³
Wastage Added
+5%
Wall Area
100.00 ft²
Brick Size (with mortar)
8.375 × 4.375 × 9 in
Mortar Volume
52.50 ft³
How Does the Brick Calculator Work?
This calculator assumes the standard Indian brick size of 8 in × 4 in × 2.5 in (approximately 190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm), laid with a mortar joint. It finds the gross wall volume, subtracts the volume taken up by mortar (assumed at 30% of the gross wall), and divides by the volume of one brick including its mortar joint to get the number of bricks needed. A user-defined wastage percentage is then added for breakage and cutting losses.
Example
For a wall 10 ft long, 10 ft high, and 9 inches thick: the wall volume is 100 ft² × 0.75 ft = 75 ft³. With 30% mortar, brick volume is 75 × 0.70 = 52.5 ft³. Each brick with a 0.375-inch mortar joint takes (8.375 × 4.375 × 9) / 12³ = 0.19 ft³. So about 52.5 / 0.19 = 276 bricks are needed, or roughly 290 bricks with a 5% wastage allowance.
Common Use Cases
- Estimating brick quantities for house walls and boundary walls in India.
- Planning material orders for single- or multi-storey construction.
- Comparing brick, sand, and cement needs for a masonry project.
- Rough cost estimation before finalising quotes with contractors.
FAQs
Why is the 8 in × 4 in × 2.5 in brick assumed?
This is the standard brick size used across India (approximately 190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm), commonly known as the Indian standard brick. Regional sizes vary slightly, so results are an estimate rather than an exact count.
How much mortar does one cubic foot of wall need?
Roughly 30% of the gross wall volume is mortar for a typical 1:6 cement-sand mix. The calculator uses this assumption to give practical material quantities for planning.
Why add wastage?
Bricks break during transport, handling, and cutting at openings like doors and windows. A 5% wastage allowance is common; add more for complex layouts or rough transport conditions.