Brick Mortar Calculator

About this calculator

Mortar quantity for brickwork is commonly estimated using the rule of thumb of about 3 bags of mortar mix per 1,000 standard bricks, based on a typical 3/8-inch mortar joint and standard brick dimensions — the actual amount varies with joint thickness, brick size, and how much mortar is lost to waste, but this ratio gives a reliable starting estimate for most residential brickwork. Since mortar bags are sold in fixed weights (commonly 60 or 80 lb bags), knowing the brick count up front lets you calculate exactly how many bags to buy rather than guessing and either running short mid-project or over-ordering.

Masons and DIY builders use this estimate when quoting or budgeting brick walls, veneers, walkways and chimneys, since underbuying mortar means an inconvenient mid-job supply run (and potential color/batch mismatch between mortar mixes), while overbuying wastes money on unused, quickly-hardening material. The 1,000-brick ratio is a widely used industry rule of thumb rather than a precise physical formula, so professional jobs typically add a waste margin of 5-10% on top of the raw estimate.

This calculator takes the number of bricks in your project and estimates how many bags of mortar you'll need.