How to use this calculator
- Enter the wall length and height, and any openings.
- Choose half or one brick thickness and the brick size.
- Set the mortar joint, mix and wastage.
- Read the number of bricks, cement bags and sand.
How do you calculate the number of bricks in a wall?
Bricks per m² = layers ÷ [(l + j) × (h + j)]
Mortar (wet) = wall volume − bricks × brick volume
Dry mortar = wet × 1.33; cement = dry ÷ (1 + sand parts)
Layers is 1 for half brick and 2 for one brick walls. Cement bags use 1,440 kg/m³ and 50 kg per bag.
Worked example
With wall length 5 m, wall height 3 m, doors and windows to deduct 0 m², wall thickness: One brick (about 200 to 230 mm), brick size: Modular IS 1077: 190 × 90 × 90 mm, mortar joint 10 mm, mortar mix (cement : sand): 1 : 6, brick wastage 5 %:
Bricks needed: 1,575 nos
The calculator also gives net wall area 15 m²; bricks per m² 100 nos; wall volume 2.85 m³.
Assumptions and limits
- Excludes plaster and frog filling. Add about 10% mortar if bricks have deep frogs.
- 1.33 accounts for voids and bulking of dry mortar materials.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in 1 cubic metre?
About 500 modular bricks (190 × 90 × 90 mm) or about 420 conventional bricks (230 × 110 × 75 mm), including 10 mm mortar joints.
How many bricks are needed for 100 sq ft of wall?
100 sq ft is 9.29 m². A one brick modular wall needs about 930 bricks; a half brick wall needs about 465, before wastage.
Which mortar ratio is used for brickwork?
1:6 is common for load bearing internal walls, 1:4 for external or exposed walls and 1:3 for very wet conditions.
References
- BIS IS 1077:1992, Common burnt clay building bricks
- BIS IS 2212:1991, Code of practice for brickwork
- CPWD, Specifications Vol. 1