Free estimate — verify against local code before building
Brick and Concrete Block Calculator
Turn wall measurements into auditable brick or CMU purchase quantities without hiding openings, waste, mortar yield, or pallet rounding.
What this calculator includes
Build one or more masonry wall areas, subtract individual openings, and enter the actual brick or concrete-block dimensions, mortar joint, pallet count, and prices. The calculator shows nominal module coverage, exact and waste-adjusted units, full-pallet overage, preblended mortar bags, preliminary lintel lengths, optional tie and reinforced-cell inventory allowances, delivery weight, and every rounding step. It does not design a masonry wall, lintel, anchorage, reinforcement, grout schedule, foundation, flashing, drainage, or movement joints.
How to use this brick & block calculator
- 01
Build gross wall area
Add each rectangular wall separately, or enter a measured aggregate area. Aggregate run length is optional unless you want course layout or reinforced-cell planning.
- 02
Subtract every opening
Add window, door, and other opening widths and heights. The calculator subtracts their area and shows a preliminary length over each opening, but it never selects or structurally sizes a lintel.
- 03
Copy the unit and pallet data
Enter specified face dimensions—not nominal dimensions—plus the planned mortar joint. Copy pallet count, unit weight, price, and mortar yield from the products being purchased.
- 04
Verify the complete wall design
Have the designer, building official, or qualified mason confirm wall thickness, bond, foundation, supports, lintels, ties, reinforcement, grout, flashing, weeps, drainage, control or expansion joints, and code requirements before ordering or building.
Calculation sources and review
Primary references and formula assumptions are linked so you can verify them against the selected product, supplier, and adopted local requirements.
Internal formula review completed July 13, 2026. What this review covers
- Brick Industry Association Technical Notes (opens in a new tab)
Dimensioning, estimating, mortar, veneer, ties, movement joints, flashing, and lintel design references.
- CMHA CMU-TEC-001 - Concrete Masonry Unit Shapes, Sizes, Properties, and Specifications (opens in a new tab)
Nominal and specified CMU dimensions and standard modular sizes.
- CMHA TEK 04-02A - Estimating Concrete Masonry Materials (opens in a new tab)
Wall-area divided by nominal unit face coverage method for CMU quantity estimating.
- QUIKRETE Mortar Mix No. 1102 technical data (opens in a new tab)
Published 80 lb bag yield of up to 37 standard bricks or 13 standard blocks; selected product data controls.
- CMHA TEK 12-01B - Anchors and Ties for Masonry (opens in a new tab)
Masonry tie and anchor requirements and references to assembly-specific spacing provisions.
- CMHA TEK 09-04A - Grout for Concrete Masonry (opens in a new tab)
Grout properties, selection, and reinforced masonry considerations.
Frequently asked questions
How many standard bricks are needed per square foot?
It depends on the specified brick face and joint. A 7-5/8 by 2-1/4 inch brick with a true 3/8 inch joint forms an 8 by 2-5/8 inch module, or about 6.86 bricks per square foot per wythe. Actual vertical coursing may be adjusted to coordinate modules, so verify the project's coursing dimensions.
How many 8x8x16 concrete blocks are needed per square foot?
A nominal 8 by 8 by 16 inch CMU covers 8 by 16 inches in the wall including a typical 3/8 inch joint, which is 8/9 square foot. That equals 1.125 blocks per square foot before openings and waste.
How much mortar is needed for brick or block?
This calculator starts with the selected bag's unit coverage rather than pretending every joint has the same volume. One published 80 lb preblended mortar product states up to 37 standard bricks or 13 standard blocks per bag. Unit shape, bedding, joint depth, tooling, waste, weather, and workmanship change yield, so enter the actual bag value.
Does the lintel result tell me what steel angle or masonry lintel to use?
No. It only adds the entered bearing allowance to each opening width for early length coordination. Lintel material, size, bearing, deflection, reinforcement, flashing, corrosion protection, and connection require an approved structural and architectural detail.
Does the optional CMU reinforcement estimate satisfy code?
No. It converts your entered spacing and cell-fill allowance into preliminary rebar stock and grout bags. It does not determine required bar size, spacing, laps, dowels, bond beams, seismic detailing, grout lifts, cleanouts, or structural capacity.