- Trade prices.
- Fast, reliable delivery.
- Done right.
Brick calculator: how many bricks do I need?
Work out the bricks, sand, cement and plasticiser for a wall, then order the materials at trade prices. Enter the wall area, or its length and height, and choose the bond and brick.
Loading calculator…
How the calculation works
A standard UK brick is 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm. With 10 mm mortar joints, a single-skin (half-brick) wall in stretcher bond takes about 60 bricks per square metre. A solid one-brick wall, or a bond with more headers such as English or Flemish, needs roughly twice that.
Mortar is worked out from the wall area and bond, then split into sand and cement bags using the mix you choose. Plasticiser is added if selected, and optional extras such as copings, wall ties and lintels are counted separately.
Tips for an accurate order
Measure each wall and add the areas together, taking off large openings such as doors and windows.
Bricks are sold in packs, so round up to whole packs and keep a few spare for cuts and breakages. Buying all your facing bricks at once helps them match in colour.
Worked example
A 10 m² single-skin facing-brick wall in stretcher bond with a cement and sand mortar:
| Material | Quantity | Price (ex VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Facing Brick Allowance | 2 pack of 390for 600 needed | £1,052.72 |
| Blue Circle Mastercrete Grey Cement in Plastic Bag 25kg | 4 | £30.68 |
| Soft Building Sand Bulk Bag (Min Weight 800kg) | 1 | £59.88 |
| Bostik Cementone Mortar Plasticiser 5L | 1 | £9.53 |
| Materials total | £1,152.81 | |
Today's prices, excluding VAT and delivery. Labour, plant hire and some items are priced when you request a quote. Use the calculator above for your own measurements.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are there per square metre?
About 60 for a single-skin wall in stretcher bond with 10 mm joints, and about 120 for a solid one-brick wall.
Should I add extra bricks for waste?
Yes. Allow a few percent for cuts and breakages, and more if the wall has lots of corners or openings. Since bricks come in packs, rounding up to whole packs usually covers it.
What mortar mix should I use for bricklaying?
A general-purpose mix is one part cement to four to six parts building sand, with plasticiser or lime for workability. Stronger mixes are used for below-ground or exposed work.