Materials calculator
Brick and block calculator
Work out how many standard UK bricks or concrete blocks you need for a wall. The default brick work size is 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm with 10 mm joints — about 60 bricks per m² for a single skin. The maths is shown in the result.
Common questions
What is a standard UK brick size?
The most widely used work size for a UK clay brick is 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm. With a nominal 10 mm mortar joint the coordinating size is 225 × 112.5 × 75 mm. Source: Brick Development Association, Designing to Brickwork Dimensions.
Why do people say 60 bricks per square metre?
For one face of brickwork, 1 ÷ (0.225 × 0.075) = 59.26 bricks per m², which is commonly rounded to 60. Travis Perkins uses about 60 per m² for a single-layer (half-brick) wall and 120 per m² for a two-layer (one-brick) wall. This calculator uses the exact coordinating-size maths, then adds your waste allowance.
What about concrete blocks?
A common UK aggregate block face size is 440 × 215 mm (Forterra, Aggregate Block Guide 2023). With a 10 mm joint the coordinating face is 450 × 225 mm, so 1 ÷ (0.45 × 0.225) = 9.88 blocks per m², often rounded to 10. Thickness (100 mm, 140 mm or 215 mm) does not change the face count.
How much waste should I add?
Travis Perkins suggests an extra 5–10% for brick wastage. There is no official government figure. The default here is 10%, and you can change it.