Brick Calculator
Estimate the number of bricks, mortar volume, cement bags and sand needed for any wall from its area and thickness.
Inputs
Formula
- Net wall volume = (L × H − openings) × t
- Brick with mortar volume = (l + j)(w + j)(h + j)
- Bricks = wall volume / brick-with-mortar volume
- Mortar volume = wall volume − bricks × actual brick volume
Each brick in a wall effectively occupies its own size plus one mortar joint on the bed and one perpend. Dividing the net wall volume by that enlarged unit volume gives the brick count directly, and the volume the bricks do not fill is the mortar requirement. Mortar is then converted to dry volume (×1.33) and split by the mix ratio.
Step-by-step calculation
Net area
L × H − openings
30 m²
Masonry volume
area × thickness
6.9 m³
Brick + mortar unit
(l+j)(w+j)(h+j)
0.002 m³
Brick count
volume / unit
3,450
Mortar
volume − bricks × brick volume
1.5905 m³
Dry mortar
mortar × 1.33
2.1153 m³
Worked example
- Wall 10 m × 3 m, 230 mm thick, standard 190 × 90 × 90 mm bricks with 10 mm joints.
- Wall volume = 30 × 0.23 = 6.9 m³; unit volume with mortar = 0.2 × 0.1 × 0.1 = 0.002 m³.
- Bricks = 6.9 / 0.002 = 3450, plus 5% wastage = 3623. Mortar = 6.9 − 3450 × 0.001539 = 1.59 m³.
Assumptions
- Modular Indian brick 190 × 90 × 90 mm; nominal size with a 10 mm joint is 200 × 100 × 100 mm.
- Mortar dry volume factor 1.33, cement 1440 kg/m³ in 50 kg bags.
Tips
- Roughly 500 modular bricks are needed per cubic metre of masonry, or 55–60 per square metre of half-brick wall.
- Deduct openings larger than 0.1 m²; smaller ones are usually ignored in estimation.
Standards & references
- IS 1077 (common burnt clay bricks)
- IS 2212 (brickwork practice)
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in one square metre of wall?
About 57 bricks for a 115 mm half-brick wall and about 115 for a 230 mm full-brick wall using modular 190 × 90 × 90 mm bricks.
How much mortar does brickwork need?
Typically 20–25% of the wall volume for 10 mm joints. Thicker joints or irregular bricks push this higher.
Should I add wastage?
Yes. Allow 5% for breakage and cutting on straight walls, up to 10% where there are many openings or arches.
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