How Many Bricks and Mortar Bags Do You Need?
Pick your brick type, enter the wall area — and you'll see how many bricks and mortar bags to buy.
Last updated: April 19, 2026
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Most common U.S. face brick for walls and veneers
Quick tip: Modular for most walls. Utility or Jumbo for large areas (fewer bricks). Roman or Norman for decorative bands.
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Order Summary
Bricks to Order
721
Includes 5% waste (35 extra)
Mortar Bags Needed
6 bags
70 lb bags (Type N mortar)
Coverage Rate
6.86 bricks/sq ft
Mortar Coverage
~143 bricks per bag
Estimate based on 3/8\" mortar joint. Actual mortar coverage varies by brand and joint depth — check manufacturer data before ordering.
Worked Examples
Garden Wall
100 sq ft · Modular brick · 5% waste
686 bricks + 5 mortar bags
Garage Accent Wall
144 sq ft · Queen brick · 8% waste
830 bricks + 7 mortar bags
Front Veneer Panel
200 sq ft · Utility brick · 5% waste
600 bricks + 6 mortar bags
Brick Coverage Guide
| Brick Type | Dimensions | Coverage | Mortar Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modular | 7⅝" × 2¼" | 6.86 bricks/sq ft | ~143 bricks/bag |
| Queen | 7⅝" × 2¾" | 5.76 bricks/sq ft | ~125 bricks/bag |
| King | 9⅝" × 2⅝" | 4.56 bricks/sq ft | ~111 bricks/bag |
| Utility | 11⅝" × 3⅝" | 3.00 bricks/sq ft | ~100 bricks/bag |
| Closure | 7⅝" × 3⅝" | 4.50 bricks/sq ft | ~125 bricks/bag |
| Standard | 8" × 2¼" | 6.55 bricks/sq ft | ~143 bricks/bag |
| Jumbo | 9⅝" × 3⅝" | 3.40 bricks/sq ft | ~100 bricks/bag |
| Roman | 11⅝" × 1⅝" | 5.90 bricks/sq ft | ~167 bricks/bag |
| Norman | 11⅝" × 2¼" | 4.30 bricks/sq ft | ~143 bricks/bag |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on brick size. Modular brick (7⅝" × 2¼") needs about 686 bricks for 100 sq ft. Utility brick (11⅝" × 3⅝") only needs about 300 bricks. Use the calculator with your specific brick type for accurate results.
About 1 bag (70 lb) per 100-142 bricks, depending on brick size and joint thickness. Modular brick uses ~0.7 bags per 100 bricks. Larger bricks like Utility need ~1 bag per 100 bricks because they create more joint volume.
Smaller bricks like Roman (11⅝" × 1⅝") use less mortar per brick (~0.006 bags/brick) because they have thinner joints. Larger bricks like Utility use more mortar (~0.010 bags/brick) due to bigger joint volume. But fewer large bricks may mean similar total mortar.
Yes. Add 5% for simple rectangular walls. Use 8-10% for walls with corners, returns, pattern changes, or many openings. Waste covers cuts, breakage, and keeps matching stock on site for repairs.
A typical 8-foot exterior wall needs about 56 bricks per linear foot (using Modular brick). A 50-foot wall would need roughly 2,800 bricks before waste. For a full house estimate, measure each wall section separately and add them together.
Mortar bags (70 lb) typically cost $5-8 each at home improvement stores. Type N mortar is standard for most residential brick walls. Type S is stronger for structural or load-bearing applications.