How it’s worked out
Each brick takes up its own face plus half a joint all round, so:
Bricks per m² = 1 ÷ ((length + joint) × (height + joint)) Bricks = wall area × bricks per m² × skins, plus extra
The mortar is the volume of the joints, plus an allowance for frogs, the bed under the first course and what’s dropped. Dry sand and cement take about a third more room than the mortar they make, split by the mix.
Bricks and blocks per square metre or foot
| Unit, with 10 mm (⅜ in) joints | One deep |
|---|---|
| Brick 215 × 65 mm | 59.26 per m² |
| Block 440 × 215 mm | 9.88 per m² |
| Modular brick 7⅝ × 2¼ in | 6.86 per ft² |
| Block 15⅝ × 7⅝ in | 1.13 per ft² |
That’s why builders say “about 60 bricks a square metre” and “about 10 blocks”.
Worked example
A wall 5 m long and 2 m high, one brick deep in 215 × 65 mm bricks: 593 bricks, 623 with 5% extra. It takes about 0.22 m³ of mortar: roughly 3 bags of cement and 0.39 tonnes of sand at 1 : 5.
How to read the result
- Bricks to buy: including the extra for cuts and breaks.
- Per m² or ft²: for checking a quote.
- Mortar, cement and sand: a rough guide; your builders’ merchant or the bag will give the yield for the mix you use.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the second skin of a cavity or double wall: choose “Two deep”.
- Leaving windows and doors in: type their area to take it off.
- Using the brick size without the joint: the joint adds 10 mm to each side that counts.
How to use it
- Type the wall’s length and height, and the area of any doors and windows.
- Choose the brick or block, how many deep, and the joint.
- Choose a mortar mix to see the cement and sand.
Questions
How many bricks in a square metre?
About 60: 59.26 standard 215 × 65 mm bricks with 10 mm joints, one brick deep.
How many blocks per square metre?
About 10 blocks of 440 × 215 mm with 10 mm joints (9.88 exactly).
How much sand and cement do I need for bricks?
It depends on the mix. For 600 bricks at 1 : 5, roughly 3 bags of cement and 0.39 tonnes of sand; the calculator works it out for your wall.
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