How many bricks do I need per square metre in the UK?

For a standard UK brick (215mm × 102.5mm × 65mm) with a 10mm mortar joint, you need approximately 60 bricks per square metre of single-skin brickwork. For a half-brick wall laid in stretcher bond, the standard figure is 60 bricks per m². This calculator works it out automatically based on your dimensions and brick size.

What is the standard UK brick size?

The standard UK brick size is 215mm long × 102.5mm wide × 65mm tall. With a standard 10mm mortar joint, the coordinating size becomes 225mm × 112.5mm × 75mm. Most bricks sold at UK builders merchants including Travis Perkins, Jewson, and Buildbase conform to this standard.

How much wastage should I allow for bricks?

A 5% waste allowance is standard for straightforward brickwork. For projects with lots of cutting — around openings, on corners, or with complex bond patterns — allow 10%. Always round up to the nearest full pack or pallet quantity when ordering.

How many bricks do I need for a single brick wall?

A single-skin (half-brick) wall uses approximately 60 bricks per square metre. Multiply the wall length by the wall height to get the area in square metres, then multiply by 60 and add your waste allowance. This calculator does that automatically.

Does mortar joint width affect brick quantity?

Yes. A wider mortar joint means fewer bricks are needed per square metre because more space is taken up by mortar. The standard UK mortar joint is 10mm. This calculator lets you adjust the joint width if your specification differs.

Can I use this calculator for a full brick wall?

Yes. Select full brick (one brick thick) in the wall type option and the calculator will double the brick count per square metre to approximately 120 bricks per m². You can also calculate each skin separately and add them together.

Brick Calculator UK

Use this brick calculator to work out how many bricks you need for a wall or brickwork project. Enter the wall dimensions, select your brick size, and choose whether the wall is a single skin or full brick thick. The calculator works out the number of bricks per square metre based on standard UK coordinating sizes with a 10mm mortar joint, adds your chosen waste allowance, and gives you a total to order. It is useful for garden walls, house extensions, outbuildings, and any job where you need a reliable estimate before placing an order with your builders merchant.

Inputs

Wall length (m)

Wall height (m)

Brick size

Wall type

Mortar joint (mm)

UK standard is 10mm. Range 5–15mm.

Waste allowance (%)

5% for straightforward work, 10% for lots of cutting.

Results

Total Bricks to Order

449

Wall area (m²):7.20

Bricks per m²:59.3

Base brick count (before waste):427

Waste allowance (extra bricks):22

How this calculator works

Brick quantity is calculated from the wall area divided by the face area of one brick including its mortar joint. For a standard UK brick (215mm × 65mm) with a 10mm joint, each brick occupies a face area of 225mm × 75mm, giving approximately 59.3 bricks per square metre — rounded up to 60 in practice. The calculator uses your chosen brick size and joint width to give a more accurate figure, then adds waste on top. Always round up to the nearest full pack when ordering, as suppliers typically sell in packs or pallets rather than individual bricks.

Worked example

Take a garden wall 6 metres long and 1.2 metres high, built in half-brick stretcher bond using standard UK bricks with a 10mm mortar joint. The wall area is 6 × 1.2 = 7.2 m². At 60 bricks per m², the base count is 432 bricks. Adding 5% waste gives 454 bricks — so in practice you would order 500 bricks (the next full pack up). At a typical 2026 price of around £400–£500 per 500 standard facing bricks from Travis Perkins or Jewson, that puts materials at roughly £400–£500 before mortar, sand and cement.

Brick sizes and standards in the UK

UK bricks are manufactured to BS EN 771-1, with the standard work size of 215mm × 102.5mm × 65mm. With a 10mm mortar joint on all faces, the coordinating size becomes 225mm × 112.5mm × 75mm. Most facing bricks, commons, and engineering bricks sold at UK builders merchants conform to these dimensions, though some decorative or reclaimed bricks may differ. Always check the actual size of the brick you are using, especially for reclaimed or handmade stock, and adjust the custom brick size option if needed.

Frequently asked questions

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This calculator is for planning and estimating only. Brick counts vary with bond pattern, brick size tolerances, site wastage, and cutting requirements. Always confirm quantities with your supplier before ordering.