Most US brick is modular: sized so that three courses with mortar rise exactly 8 in. That is why the count per square foot is a fixed number.
Brick calculator
Enter the wall size, take out doors and windows, and pick a brick.
Enter your numbers to see the result.
Bricks per square foot
The Brick Industry Association’s estimating note gives 6.75 modular bricks per square foot of wall with 3/8 in joints. For other sizes, the calculator divides 144 sq in by the face of one brick plus its joint, or uses the common figures for queen (5.76) and king (4.6) brick, which you can override with your own size.
A wall 20 x 8 ft is 160 sq ft: 1,080 modular bricks, or 1134 with 5% extra.
Mortar and sand
For modular brick, the calculator uses a masonry supplier’s published figures: about 7 bags of masonry cement and 1.25 tons of sand per 1,000 bricks.
Before you order
- Buy all your brick from one run so the color matches, and keep a few spares for repairs.
- Openings: measure each door and window and add them together for the openings box.
- Brick veneer needs ties, flashing and weep holes. Your plans and local code set those.
Sources
- Brick Industry Association, Technical Note 10: Dimensioning and Estimating Brick Masonry
- Chaney Enterprises masonry catalog: mortar quantities per 1,000 units (25 bags and 5 tons of sand for 8 in block; 7 bags and 1.25 tons for modular brick)
Sources last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square foot?
6.75 modular bricks with 3/8 in mortar joints, per the Brick Industry Association.
How many bricks are in a pallet?
It depends on the maker and size, often about 500 for modular brick. Ask your yard.
How much mortar for 1,000 bricks?
About 7 bags of masonry cement and 1.25 tons of sand by one supplier’s published figures.