Find out how many bricks you need for a wall, plus the mortar, cement, lime, sand and wall ties to go with them. Enter each wall’s length and height, deduct openings, choose the brick size and wall type, and the calculator does the rest. It suits standard Australian bricks (230 × 110 × 76 mm) as well as modular, double-height and custom sizes.
Brickwork calculator (metric)
Add each wall or elevation as a row, then choose the brick, wall type and mortar mix. Openings (windows, doors) are deducted from each wall.
Brick and mortar settings
Bricks per m² = 1,000,000 ÷ ((brick length + joint) × (brick height + joint)), so a standard 230 × 76 mm brick with 10 mm joints gives about 48.5 bricks per m² per skin. Mortar allows for frogs, cores and droppings (factor 1.75 on the net joint volume) and a 1.3 dry-to-wet factor. Cement 1440 kg/m³, lime 600 kg/m³, sand 1.6 t/m³, 20 kg bags. Wall ties follow the NCC Housing Provisions maximum spacings plus 15% for edges and openings. Always follow your drawings, your engineer, the NCC and AS 3700.
Need a full brickwork take-off for a Perth double-brick or veneer home?
Measure Manage measures every wall, opening, lintel and tie from your drawings and prices it, so your brick and mortar orders and your quote are right first time. Call Alastair on 0498 202 445 for a professional take-off.
How the brickwork calculator works
- Bricks per m² = 1,000,000 ÷ ((brick length + joint) × (brick height + joint)), in millimetres. A standard 230 × 76 mm brick with 10 mm joints gives about 48.5 bricks per m² for each leaf.
- Double-brick (cavity) walls have two leaves, so they need twice the bricks per m² of wall.
- Mortar is the volume of joints around each brick, converted to dry materials for the mix ratio you choose (for example M3 = 1 cement : 1 lime : 6 sand).
- Wall ties are calculated from your tie spacing, plus extra at openings and edges.
Brickwork tips for Perth builders
- Double-brick construction is common in Perth housing, so check whether internal walls are brick or framed before you order.
- Allow around 5% wastage for cuts and breakages, more for face brickwork with lots of corners and openings.
- Bricks are sold by the pack, so round up to full packs and confirm the pack size with your supplier.
- Mortar class and tie spacing must follow your engineer’s or designer’s specification, and the relevant standards (AS 3700 / AS 4773).
What this calculator doesn’t include
- Labour and scaffolding
- Lintels, damp-proof course, flashings and weep vents
- Footings and delivery
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a square metre?
About 48 to 49 standard Australian bricks (230 × 76 mm face) per m² for a single leaf with 10 mm joints. A double-brick wall needs about twice that.
How much cement do I need per 1,000 bricks?
For an M3 (1:1:6) mix with standard bricks, roughly 7 bags of 20 kg cement per 1,000 bricks before mortar wastage. The calculator shows the figure for your mix.
How much sand do I need for brickwork?
Roughly 0.9 to 1.1 tonnes of brickies’ sand per 1,000 standard bricks, depending on the mix and joints. The calculator rounds up to the nearest half tonne.
Need brickwork measured for a whole house? Measure Manage prepares material take-offs for Perth and WA builders. Call 0498 202 445.