Bricks per unit area depend on brick face size plus one mortar joint in each direction. A US modular brick (7-5/8" × 2-1/4") with 3/8" joints lays at roughly 6.75–6.9 bricks per ft² depending on the exact joint; a metric 215 × 65 mm brick with 10 mm joints lays at about 59 per m².
Square the corners
Masonry corners are built first and the wall is strung between them, so an out-of-square corner shifts the whole wall. Lay out corners with 3-4-5 on the footing and check diagonals before the first course.
Mortar here uses a common rule of thumb of around seven bags of masonry cement per 1,000 bricks; your mix, joint size and brick type change this, so treat it as a starting estimate.
Watch: how it is done
Video by RR Buildings on YouTube. More in our video library.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks in a square metre?
About 60 standard UK/EU bricks (215 × 65 mm) with 10 mm joints, for a single-skin wall.
How many bricks per square foot?
Roughly 6.75–6.9 US modular bricks with 3/8" joints, single wythe, depending on the exact joint size.
Results are planning estimates. For structural work, confirm requirements with your local building authority and a qualified professional. See our disclaimer.