Bricks - Quantity and Mortar Consumption
Estimate required quantities of bricks and mortar.
Brick Size
| Type | Nominal Size (in) | Actual (Specified) Size (in) | No. per Square Foot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 4 x 2 2/3 x 8 | 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 8 | 6.3 |
| Modular | 4 x 2 2/3 x 8 | 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 7 5/8 | 6.9 |
| King | 3 3/8 x 3×10 | 3 x 2 5/8 x 9 5/8 | 4.8 |
| Queen | 2 3/4 x 3×10 | 3 1/8 x 2 3/4 x 9 5/8 | 4.6 |
| Engineer | 4 x 3 1/5 x 8 | 3 5/8 x 2 13/16 x 7 5/8 | 5.7 |
| Economy | 4 x 4 x 8 | 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 | 4.5 |
| Utility | 4 x 4 x 12 | 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 11 1/2 | 3.1 |
| Jumbo | 4 x 3 x 8 | 3 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 8 | 5.5 |
| Norman | 4 x 2 2/3 x 12 | 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 11 5/8 | 4.6 |
| Jumbo Norman | 4 x 3 x 12 | 3 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 11 5/8 | |
| Norwegian | 3 1/2 x 3 x 12 | 3 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 11 5/8 | 3.9 |
- actual or specified width and height - without mortar joint
- nominal width and height - including mortar joint
- the predominant mortar joint width used in construction is 3/8"
- How many bicks are needed? Use this tool to calculate the number of bricks needed.
Mortar Required for Common Bricks
Common bricks - 2 1/4 x 8 x 3 3/4 inches:
| Joint Thickness (inches) | Mortar Required (ft3) | |
|---|---|---|
| per 1000 bricks | per ft3 brick | |
| 1/4 | 9 | 0.2 |
| 3/8 | 14 | 0.3 |
| 1/2 | 20 | 0.4 |
- 1 ft3 = 0.02832 m3
- 1 in (inch) = 25.4 mm
BS EN 771-3: 2003
| Brick | Length (mm) | Width (mm) | Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 215 | 102.5 | 65 |
| Modular | 290 | 90 | 90 |
| 190 | 90 | 90 | |
| 190 | 90 | 65 |
Brick Walls - Selected Bond Patterns
- Stretcher bond
- Flemish garden wall bond
- English garden wall bond
- Flemish bond
- English bond
Brick Orientation
- stretcher
- shiner
- soldier
- sailor
- header
- rowlock
