Bricks Required
Calculate the number of bricks needed for walls with different bond types
About This Calculator
This calculator helps you estimate the number of bricks required for building walls. It accounts for different bond types, mortar joints, openings (doors/windows), and wastage.
Standard UK brick size: 215mm × 102.5mm × 65mm
Bond Types
- Stretcher Bond: All bricks laid lengthwise. Used for single leaf walls (half brick). ~60 bricks/m²
- English Bond: Alternating courses of stretchers and headers. Strong pattern for thick walls. ~120 bricks/m²
- Flemish Bond: Alternating stretchers and headers in each course. Decorative and strong. ~120 bricks/m²
- Header Bond: All bricks laid widthwise. Used for thick walls or curved work. ~120 bricks/m²
Tips for Ordering
- • Add 5-10% for wastage and breakages
- • Order extra if using a bond pattern with many cuts
- • Consider brick colour matching - order all at once
- • Check supplier pack sizes (usually 500 or 1000 bricks)
Why Include Wastage?
Bricks can break during delivery, cutting, or handling. It's better to have a few extra than to run short and risk colour mismatches with a second order.
Ready to Calculate?
Enter your wall dimensions, choose your bond type, and get an instant estimate.
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UKUK Building Regulations
References & Sources
Standards Cited
- BS EN 771-1 — Specification for masonry units — Clay masonry units
Defines standard UK brick dimensions (215 x 102.5 x 65mm) used in the calculator - BS EN 1996-2 — Design of masonry structures — Design considerations, selection of materials and execution of masonry
Guidance on bond types (stretcher, English, Flemish, header) and mortar joint specifications - NHBC Standards Chapter 6.1 — NHBC Standards — External masonry walls
Industry standard for bricklaying rates, wastage allowances, and bond pattern requirements View →
Formulas Used
- Wall area:
wallArea = wallLength x wallHeight
Source: Basic geometry - Net wall area:
netWallArea = wallArea - openingArea
Source: Standard deduction method - Bricks required:
bricksRequired = ceil(netWallArea x bricksPerM2 x (1 + wastage/100))
Source: BS EN 1996-2 / NHBC Standards — Bricks per m2: stretcher bond = 60, English/Flemish/header bond = 120
Key Assumptions
- Standard UK brick size: 215 x 102.5 x 65mm — BS EN 771-1
- Default mortar joint width: 10mm — BS EN 1996-2
- Stretcher bond uses 60 bricks per m2; double-leaf bonds (English, Flemish, header) use 120 bricks per m2 — NHBC Standards Chapter 6.1
- Typical wastage allowance of 5-10% for cutting and breakage — Industry standard practice