You've probably been there: standing in your wellies, squinting at a half-finished garden wall because you've run out of bricks. Not ideal, is it?
Misjudging the number of bricks you need can throw a very large spanner in the works. It pushes back your timeline, adds unexpected costs and leaves you scrambling for a last-minute order. Order too many, and you could be stuck with a pile you can't return.
That's why getting your brick count right the first time is essential for keeping your project on track and your budget intact. Here's how to do it.
Use our FREE brick calculatorQuick answer: how many bricks per square metre?
For a single-skin wall built with standard UK bricks, you'll need roughly 60 bricks per square metre. Multiply the length of your wall by its height, multiply that area by 60, then add around 10% for wastage.
Step 1: Choose your bricks first
Before you think about numbers, think about what your project needs. Bricks come in different shapes, sizes and textures, and the type you pick can massively influence how many you'll need.
Maybe you're building a garden boundary, a pizza oven or a barbecue. Or perhaps you want to give your home a new rustic façade. A dense, heavyweight brick might be perfect for a sturdy retaining wall, while a lighter, decorative brick could be just the ticket for a new BBQ area. The finish, whether smooth, sand-faced or antiqued, is also worth considering.
Not sure where to start? Our free Brick Selection service will help you find the ideal brick, and our Brick Matching service can find the perfect match for your existing brickwork.
Step 2: Calculate how many bricks you need
Here's a straightforward example. Let's say you're building a wall that's 6 metres long and 1.5 metres high.
Work out the area: multiply the length by the height. 6m x 1.5m = 9m²
Multiply by bricks per square metre: 9m² x 60 = 540 bricks
Add wastage: 10% of 540 = 54 bricks
Your total: 594 bricks
If your wall includes windows, doors or other openings, work out the area of each one and subtract it before multiplying by 60.
Single-skin vs double-skin walls
The figure of 60 bricks per square metre applies to a single-skin (half-brick) wall, one brick wide. A double-skin (one-brick) wall is two bricks thick, so you'll need roughly double: around 120 bricks per square metre. Features such as piers, pillars and decorative bond patterns will also add to your total.
Step 3: Allow for wastage (the smart way)
Nobody likes waste, but in bricklaying it's better to have a few spare than to run short. Your wastage allowance covers breakages, cuts for corners and ends, and the odd brick that just looks out of place. Think of it as your project's safety net, keeping things moving without costly pauses or last-minute dashes to the builders' merchants.
The age-old advice is to add 10%, but you can be smarter than that:
Simple, straight walls: 5% to 7% may be enough
Standard projects: around 10%
Arches, ornate detailing or lots of cuts: 12% to 15%
Step 4: Adjust for different-sized bricks
Not all bricks are created equal, and size matters when it comes to your final count. The standard UK metric brick measures 215 x 102.5 x 65mm, which gives you the 60 per square metre figure (with 10mm mortar joints).
Larger imperial bricks need fewer per square metre, roughly 57 depending on their exact size, and bigger blocks need fewer still. Always check the size and coverage of the bricks you're ordering. It'll stop you from under or over-ordering.
Step 5: Account for your other project variables
Even once your wall dimensions and brick size are nailed down, a few other things can shift your total:
Mortar thickness: wider or narrower joints change how many bricks fit in each square metre
Bond pattern: some bonds use more bricks than others
Special-shaped bricks: copings, cappings and specials should be counted separately
Piers and pillars: these add strength but also add bricks
When using our calculator, it's worth testing a few different mortar widths to make sure your estimate reflects the real project.
Step 6: Use our free brick calculator
Why guess when you can calculate? Our free online brick calculator takes the guesswork out of your project. Simply pop in your measurements and brick size, and it'll do the heavy lifting for you. It works for non-standard bricks and mortar joints too.
Step 7: Reuse what you can
Not every brick needs to be bought new. Salvaged, reclaimed or leftover bricks can slot seamlessly into your build, especially in low-visibility sections. Subtract any stock you already have from your final order to avoid over-buying.
Step 8: Order in one go for a consistent finish
Bricks from different production batches can vary slightly in colour and texture. Ordering the right quantity from the start, ideally all from the same batch, gives your wall a consistent, seamless look. If you're matching existing brickwork or want to see a brick up close, ordering samples first is well worth the small cost, and our team can arrange this for you.
Planning something bigger? Try our Brick Estimation service
For more complex builds, like extensions or new homes, our expert Brick Estimation service gives you a fuller picture of your quantities and costs in three simple steps:
Tell us a bit about yourself and your project
Sit back while our trusted partners get to work
Start thinking about which bricks you'd like to buy (we can help with that too!)
It costs just £29.99 (inc. VAT), which you get back if you buy your bricks through us.
Once you've got your estimate, the rest of our services have you covered:
Brick Quotation: get competitive pricing from across 4,000+ suppliers in one working day
Brick Selection: find the right bricks for your build from thousands of products
Brick Matching: replacing or extending? We'll find the closest match
Brick calculation FAQs
How many bricks are in a square metre?
Around 60 standard UK bricks for a single-skin wall, or around 120 for a double-skin wall, based on 10mm mortar joints.
How much wastage should I allow for bricks?
Around 10% for most projects. Go lower (5% to 7%) for simple straight walls and higher (12% to 15%) for detailed work with lots of cuts.
How many bricks do I need for a garden wall?
Multiply the wall's length by its height, multiply by 60 for a single-skin wall (or 120 for double-skin), then add wastage. Planning a garden wall? Check whether you need planning permission first.
Does mortar thickness affect how many bricks I need?
Yes. Thicker joints mean slightly fewer bricks per square metre, and thinner joints mean slightly more. Our calculator lets you adjust for this.
Measure twice, calculate once
Every successful project starts with precise planning. With our free calculator and expert team behind you, you can start your build knowing you have exactly the bricks you need: no more, no less. If you have any questions, contact us and our experts will be happy to help.
