Brick Calculator 2026: How Many Bricks Do I Need? (UK)
Use this brick calculator to work out how many bricks you need for a wall. Enter the length, height and wall type, and it will estimate bricks, mortar, material cost and how long a bricklayer is likely to take. It's based on the standard UK brick size of 215mm x 102.5mm x 65mm with 10mm mortar joints.
As a rule of thumb, you need about 60 bricks per square metre for a single skin wall and about 120 bricks per square metre for a double skin wall.
Compare Quotes & Save Up To 37%:
How The Calculator Works
- Wall area: length multiplied by height, in square metres.
- Openings: the area of any doors or windows is taken off.
- Bricks per m²: 60 for single skin (half brick) walls, 120 for double skin (one brick) walls.
- Waste: 10% is added by default for cuts and breakages.
- Mortar: roughly 0.02m³ of mortar per square metre of single skin wall, doubled for double skin.
- Labour: estimated at 400 bricks per bricklayer per day.
The result is rounded up to the nearest whole brick.
Why 60 Bricks Per Square Metre?
A UK standard brick with its 10mm mortar joint takes up 225mm by 75mm on the face of a wall. One square metre divided by that area is 59.3, which is rounded up to 60. A double skin wall uses two bricks for every face position, so 120.
Quick Reference Table
| Wall size | Single skin bricks | Double skin bricks |
|---|---|---|
| 1m², no waste | 60 | 120 |
| 5m², with 10% waste | 330 | 660 |
| 10m², with 10% waste | 660 | 1,320 |
| 20m², with 10% waste | 1,320 | 2,640 |
| 50m², with 10% waste | 3,300 | 6,600 |
Calculated with the method above.
Mortar Quantities
A common mortar mix for brickwork is 1 part cement to 4 or 5 parts building sand. As a rough guide:
| Wall area | Single skin mortar | Double skin mortar |
|---|---|---|
| 5m² | 0.10m³ | 0.20m³ |
| 10m² | 0.20m³ | 0.40m³ |
| 20m² | 0.40m³ | 0.80m³ |
Estimates. Actual quantities depend on joint thickness, frogs and site conditions.
Labour Time And Cost
A bricklayer typically lays 300 to 500 bricks a day on straightforward work. The calculator uses 400 as a midpoint. Checkatrade's October 2026 data puts bricklayers at £250 to £350 a day and labourers at £120 to £280 a day.
For a 10m² double skin wall, about 1,320 bricks would take a bricklayer roughly three to four days, plus foundations and coping.
Brick Prices
Brick prices vary a lot by type. Basic common bricks are the cheapest. Facing bricks, handmade bricks and reclaimed bricks cost more. Prices are usually quoted per 1,000. Get a current price from your merchant, as building material prices have been rising. Our building materials prices index tracks the latest official figures.
Tips For Ordering Bricks
- Order from one batch. Colours can vary between batches.
- Mix from several packs as you lay, to blend any colour variation.
- Add 10% for waste. More for walls with lots of cuts or curves.
- Check delivery. Pallets need a clear, firm spot near the work.
- Keep spares for future repairs.
Common Projects
| Project | Typical wall type |
|---|---|
| Low garden wall | Single skin with piers, or double skin |
| Front boundary wall | Double skin |
| Extension outer leaf | Single skin facing brick |
| Garage | Single skin with piers, or cavity wall |
See our garden wall cost, extension and build a garage guides.
Using The Results
The calculator gives a sound starting point, but always check quantities with your builder or merchant before ordering. Bricklayers often work to their own rates and will know how many bricks to allow for features like piers, corners and soldier courses. For a garden wall, remember to allow for the footing below ground level too, which is often built in cheaper common or engineering bricks.
Single Skin Or Double Skin?
A single skin wall is one brick thick, laid in stretcher bond with the long faces showing. It's cheaper but less stable, so taller single skin walls need piers every few metres. A double skin wall is two bricks thick and can be laid in bonds such as English or Flemish bond, where some bricks are turned to tie the two skins together. Double skin walls are stronger and look finished from both sides, which is why they're popular for boundary walls.
Cavity Walls
House walls are usually cavity walls, with an outer leaf of facing brick and an inner leaf of concrete blocks, separated by a cavity that is often insulated. For the outer leaf, use the single skin figure of 60 bricks per square metre. Blocks are calculated separately, at about 10 standard blocks per square metre.
FAQs
How many bricks are in a square metre?
About 60 for single skin and 120 for double skin, using UK standard bricks.
How much waste should I allow?
10% is typical for straight walls. Allow 15% for walls with lots of cuts.
How many bricks can a bricklayer lay in a day?
Typically 300 to 500 on straightforward work.
Does the calculator include foundations?
No. Footings are calculated separately.
Get Quotes
Use the form at the top of this page to compare quotes from local bricklayers and builders.
Data source: Checkatrade cost guides, checked October 2026.