How many bricks do I need per m²?

For a standard stretcher bond (half-brick wall), you need 60 bricks per m². For English bond or Flemish bond (full-brick wall, one brick thick), you need 120 bricks per m². These figures include 10mm mortar joints and use the standard UK brick size of 215 × 102.5 × 65mm.

What is the standard UK brick size?

The standard UK brick is 215 × 102.5 × 65mm (length × width × height). With 10mm mortar joints, the coordinating size is 225 × 112.5 × 75mm. This is the size specified in BS EN 771-1 and used by virtually all UK brick manufacturers.

What is the difference between stretcher bond and English bond?

Stretcher bond is a half-brick thick wall (102.5mm) where all bricks are laid lengthways. It is the most common bond for cavity wall construction. English bond alternates rows of stretchers and headers to create a full-brick thick wall (215mm), which is much stronger and used for retaining walls and older solid-wall construction.

How much wastage should I allow for bricks?

Allow at least 10% wastage for bricks. Bricks are brittle and break during delivery and handling. Cutting around openings and corners also creates waste. For complex patterns, decorative work, or if you are a less experienced bricklayer, allow 15% wastage.

How many bricks come on a pallet?

A standard pallet typically contains 400-500 bricks, depending on the manufacturer. Some facing bricks come in packs of 370-400, while engineering bricks are often packed at 400 per pallet. When ordering, round up to full packs to get the best price and ensure you have enough from a single batch for colour consistency.

Brick Calculator — How Many Bricks Do I Need?

Calculate the number of bricks needed for any wall. Supports stretcher, English, and Flemish bond with standard UK brick sizes.

Wall Length

Average length per wall

Wall Height

Standard storey height is 2.4m

Number of Walls

Bond Type

Stretcher bond is most common for modern cavity walls

Subtract Openings

Number of Doors

Each door deducts ~1.8 m²

Number of Windows

Each window deducts ~1.2 m²

Include wastage allowance

Adds 10% extra for cutting and breakage during laying

Wastage Percentage

10% standard; 15% for decorative work or complex patterns

Price Per 1000 Bricks (optional)

Enter price per thousand for a cost estimate

How We Calculate This

This calculator determines the number of bricks needed by calculating the net wall area (after deducting door and window openings), then multiplying by the bricks-per-square-metre rate for your chosen bond type.

The formula

Bricks = (Wall area - Openings) × Bricks per m² × Wastage factor

Rates used

Stretcher bond (half brick): 60 bricks per m² — standard cavity wall leaf
English bond (full brick): 120 bricks per m² — alternating stretcher and header courses
Flemish bond (full brick): 120 bricks per m² — alternating stretchers and headers in each course

These rates are based on the standard UK brick size (215 × 102.5 × 65mm) with 10mm mortar joints, giving a coordinating size of 225 × 75mm face area. This is the industry standard calculation method used across UK construction.

Mortar estimate

For stretcher bond, approximately 0.03 m³ of mortar is needed per m² of wall. For full-brick walls (English/Flemish bond), this doubles to 0.06 m³ per m². Use our Mortar Calculator for a detailed breakdown of cement and sand quantities.

Standards

Brick sizes conform to BS EN 771-1. Brickwork construction should comply with BS 5628 (Code of practice for the use of masonry) and Eurocode 6 (BS EN 1996).

Frequently Asked Questions

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Last updated: February 2026

All calculations are estimates. Verify with your supplier.