How Many Bricks Per Square Foot?

You are building a brick wall, so how many bricks should you actually order? For a standard modular brick, the quick answer is about 7 bricks for every square foot of wall face. That single number turns a wall measurement into a shopping list. In this guide you will measure your wall, multiply by the right per-square-foot figure, and add a waste factor so you buy enough the first time.

Why the Number Depends on Brick Size

The “7 bricks” rule works for a modular brick, the most common size in the United States. Bigger bricks cover more area, so you need fewer per square foot. The face size plus the mortar joint sets the count.

A modular brick shows a face of about 8 in wide by 2.25 in tall. Add a 3/8 in mortar joint around it and each brick covers roughly 21 sq in of wall. Since a square foot is 144 sq in, you get about 7 bricks per square foot. The table below lists common sizes and their approximate counts.

Treat these as typical figures, not exact specs. Brick dimensions vary by maker and region, so check the product data sheet before you place a large order.

Step 1: Measure the Wall Area

Before you can count bricks, you need the wall area in square feet. This step is simple math with a tape measure. Work in feet to keep it clean.

Measure the wall length and the wall height, then multiply them. Do this for each wall section. If a wall has doors or windows, measure those openings and subtract them, because you do not brick over them.

• Wall area = length (ft) x height (ft).
• Opening area = width (ft) x height (ft) for each door or window.
• Net area = total wall area minus all openings.

For example, a wall 20 ft long and 8 ft tall is 160 sq ft. If it has one door of 3 ft by 7 ft, that is 21 sq ft to remove, leaving 139 sq ft of net brick area. Round openings up slightly to stay safe.

Measure each wall on its own, then add the net areas together for one project total. Take height at a few points, since floors and footings are rarely perfectly level. Small errors add up fast across a big wall, so measure twice before you multiply.

Step 2: Multiply by Bricks Per Square Foot

Now turn area into a brick count. Take your net wall area and multiply by the bricks-per-square-foot figure for your brick size. For modular brick, that factor is about 7.

Say your wall is a clean 160 sq ft with no openings. The base count is straightforward.

• Bricks = net area (sq ft) x bricks per sq ft.
• Bricks = 160 sq ft x 7 = 1,120 bricks.

That 1,120 is the raw count before waste. It assumes a single layer of brick, called a single wythe. Use the size table above if you are laying queen or king brick, since those need fewer pieces per square foot.

If your net area came to 139 sq ft after subtracting a door, the math is 139 x 7, or about 973 bricks before waste. Keep the same factor for the whole wall as long as you use one brick size. Switching sizes mid-wall is uncommon, but if you do, count each area with its own factor and then add the results.

Do Not Forget Mortar Joints and Waste

Two things separate a rough count from a real order: mortar joints and waste. Both are already part of good planning, so build them in.

The per-square-foot factor above already includes the standard 3/8 in mortar joint. That is why a brick with an 8 in by 2.25 in face still works out to about 7 per square foot, not more. If your joints are wider, you will need slightly fewer bricks.

Waste is the extra you buy on top of the base count. Bricks break in transit, get cut at corners and openings, and some arrive with flaws. A simple rule covers most jobs.

• Add 5 percent for a plain, straight wall.
• Add 10 percent for corners, cuts, or a first-time project.
• Add more for patterns, curves, or reclaimed brick.

Using our example, 1,120 bricks plus 10 percent is about 1,232 bricks. Ordering a little extra now beats a second delivery and a color mismatch later. Confirm the pallet count and exact size with your supplier.

Single vs Double Brick Walls

The counts so far assume a single-wythe wall, meaning one layer of brick thick. Many walls use two layers for strength or looks, and that changes the math a lot.

A double-wythe wall has two brick layers side by side, so it roughly doubles the brick count for the same wall face. Your 160 sq ft wall jumps from about 1,120 bricks to around 2,240 before waste, then about 2,464 with a 10 percent factor.

Bricks are only part of a project budget. If your wall sits on a footing or slab, our sibling guide on how much concrete for a slab covers that volume, and the drywall estimating guide handles interior finishing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bricks Per Square Foot

Sources

This article is for general education only, not professional construction or engineering advice. Material needs vary by product, site, and local building codes, so confirm quantities with your supplier and follow local rules. Reviewed for accuracy by Prof. Dr. Khalil Mudassar, PhD. Last updated September 12, 2026.