How much waste should I add?

Add 10–15% for breakage, joints, or decorative finishes.

Does it pick a mortar type?

No. Choose Type N/S/etc. based on application and local code.

Can I use this for stone veneer?

Veneer coverage differs. Adjust units per sq ft and coverage per bag based on the veneer manufacturer’s guidance.

How do openings affect mortar needs?

Subtract windows/doors from wall area to reduce bag counts appropriately.

What if my joints are thinner or thicker than 3/8"?

Thicker joints reduce coverage per bag; thinner joints increase it. Adjust the coverage input to match your joint thickness.

construction calculator

Mortar Calculator

Estimate mortar volume and bag counts for brick or block walls.

Results

Wall area (sq ft): 80.00
Unit count: 560.00
Mortar volume (cu ft): 1.37
Bags of mortar mix: 2.29

How to use this calculator

Enter wall length and height.
Enter joint thickness, units per square foot, and coverage per bag.
See estimated mortar volume and bag counts.

Inputs explained

Wall length/height: Dimensions of the wall section in feet.
Joint thickness: Typical mortar joint thickness (e.g., 3/8 inch).
Units per sq ft: How many bricks/blocks per square foot (≈7 for modular brick, ≈1.125 for 8" block).
Coverage per bag: Square footage one bag covers at the chosen joint thickness.

How it works

We estimate mortar volume from joint thickness and unit count, then divide by bag coverage.

Coverage defaults to ~35 sq ft per 80-lb bag at 3/8" joints—adjust for local mix designs.

Formula

Bags = Wall area ÷ Coverage

When to use it

Estimating mortar for brick veneers or CMU walls before ordering.
Adjusting quantities when using thicker joints or larger blocks.
Budgeting bags for small masonry repairs or DIY projects.

Tips & cautions

Use manufacturer coverage for your exact brick/block size to improve accuracy.
Add extra bags (10–20%) for waste, spills, and thicker joints in field conditions.
Deduct large openings from wall area to avoid over-ordering.
Rectangular wall assumption; complex shapes and many openings need manual adjustments.
Coverage varies by mix, block type, and workmanship—this is an estimate.
Does not include structural grout fill for CMU cores.

Worked examples

20 ft × 4 ft wall

Area = 80 sq ft
≈ 560 bricks
≈ 3 bags at 35 sq ft/bag (plus waste)

Use with CMU blocks

Change units per sq ft to 1.125 (8" block) and adjust coverage to manufacturer specs.

Deep dive

This mortar calculator estimates volume and bag counts from wall area, joint thickness, units per square foot, and coverage per bag. Enter your wall dimensions and coverage to size mortar orders confidently.

Use it for brick or block projects and add extra for waste and thicker joints. Subtract large openings for better accuracy and follow manufacturer coverage guidance.

FAQs

How much waste should I add?: Add 10–15% for breakage, joints, or decorative finishes.
Does it pick a mortar type?: No. Choose Type N/S/etc. based on application and local code.
Can I use this for stone veneer?: Veneer coverage differs. Adjust units per sq ft and coverage per bag based on the veneer manufacturer’s guidance.
How do openings affect mortar needs?: Subtract windows/doors from wall area to reduce bag counts appropriately.
What if my joints are thinner or thicker than 3/8"?: Thicker joints reduce coverage per bag; thinner joints increase it. Adjust the coverage input to match your joint thickness.

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