Estimate mortar volume and cement, lime, sand quantities for bricklaying and blockwork.
Step 1: Enter the total wall area you need to build.
Step 2: Select your brick or block type. Standard bricks are ~8× 2¼ × 3¾ in (215×65×102 mm).
Step 3: Adjust the mortar joint thickness and waste percentage as needed.
The calculator uses a Type N mortar mix ratio of 1:1:6 (cement : lime : sand) which is suitable for general above-grade masonry.
Type N (1:1:6) is the most common for general brickwork. Type S (1:0.5:4.5) is stronger and used for structural walls. Type M (1:0.25:3.75) is the strongest for below-grade work.
For standard bricks with 3/8" joints, you need roughly 7–8 bags (cubic feet) of mortar per 1000 bricks.
Standard mortar joints are 3/8 inch (10 mm). Joints can range from 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6–13 mm) depending on the application.
Mortar firms up within a few hours and takes the load after a day or so, reaching full strength after about 28 days. Avoid laying in frost or in very hot, dry conditions.
Roughly 0.02–0.03 m³ per square metre for a single-skin brick wall. The calculator estimates this from your wall area.
