Calculate how many bricks or concrete blocks you need for walls, patios, fire pits, and columns. Includes mortar bag estimates and cost calculation.
Estimates only — brick sizes vary by manufacturer and region. Mortar quantities depend on joint thickness and technique.
Building a 20-foot long, 6-foot tall brick wall with standard bricks at 3/8-inch mortar joints and 10% waste? The wall area is 120 square feet, requiring approximately 891 bricks and 26 bags of mortar. At $0.75–$1.50 per brick, materials run $668–$1,337 for the bricks alone.
| Wall Size | Standard Bricks (10% waste) | Mortar Bags |
|---|---|---|
| 10 × 4 ft (40 sqft) | 297 | 9 |
| 20 × 4 ft (80 sqft) | 594 | 17 |
| 20 × 6 ft (120 sqft) | 891 | 26 |
| 30 × 6 ft (180 sqft) | 1,337 | 39 |
| 40 × 8 ft (320 sqft) | 2,376 | 68 |
About 6.75 standard bricks per square foot with 3/8-inch mortar joints. Modular bricks run about 6.86 per square foot. Add 10% for waste from cuts and breakage.
About 1.125 standard 8×8×16 CMU blocks per square foot. A 20-foot long, 8-foot tall wall takes about 180 blocks.
One 80-lb bag of Type S mortar lays approximately 35 standard bricks or 12 CMU blocks. This varies with joint thickness — thicker joints use more mortar.
Type S for most exterior walls, retaining walls, and anything below grade. Type N for interior walls and above-grade exterior where high strength isn't needed. Type S has a compressive strength of 1,800 PSI versus 750 PSI for Type N.
Materials alone run about $8–$15 per square foot for standard brick with mortar. Professional installation adds $15–$30 per square foot for labor. A 120 sqft wall costs roughly $960–$1,800 in materials or $2,760–$5,400 installed.
Typical Results
💡 For structural walls, consult local codes — single-wythe brick walls generally need engineering review above 4' height.
Common Mistakes