Brickwork Quantity Calculation With Formula

Brickwork looks simple—stack bricks with mortar and build walls. But behind every well-built wall is a proper quantity calculation. When brickwork quantity is calculated incorrectly, construction sites face material shortages, excess stock, increased costs, and delays.

Whether you are a student, site engineer, contractor, or homeowner, understanding brickwork quantity calculation with formula helps you plan better and control construction costs effectively.

Basics of Brickwork in Construction

Brickwork is one of the most commonly used masonry works in residential buildings. It is used for:

Load-bearing walls
Partition walls
Boundary walls

The quantity of brickwork depends on:

Brick size
Wall thickness
Mortar joint thickness

Before jumping into formulas, let’s understand these basics.

Standard Brick Dimensions & Mortar Thickness

Standard Brick Size (India – Modular Brick)

Brick size (without mortar):
230 mm × 115 mm × 75 mm
Brick size (with mortar):
230 mm × 125 mm × 85 mm

Mortar thickness is usually 10 mm, which is already included in the standard “with mortar” size.

This standard size is the foundation of all brickwork quantity calculations.

Key Concepts Before Brickwork Calculation

1. Brickwork Volume

Brickwork quantity is usually calculated in:

Cubic meters (m³) for estimation
Square meters (m²) for billing

2. Number of Bricks per Cubic Meter

Using standard brick size with mortar: Volume of 1 brick=0.23×0.115×0.075=0.002m3 $\text{Number of bricks in 1 m}^3 = \frac{1}{0.002} = 500 \, \text{bricks}$ Number of bricks in 1 m3=0.0021=500bricks

👉 Standard value:
1 m³ brickwork = 500 bricks

3. Mortar Percentage

In brick masonry:

Mortar occupies about 23–25% of brickwork volume
Bricks occupy about 75–77%

This helps calculate cement and sand quantity.

Brickwork Quantity Calculation Formula

Formula 1: Brick Quantity

$\text{Number of bricks} = \text{Brickwork volume} \times 500$ Number of bricks=Brickwork volume×500

Formula 2: Mortar Quantity

$\text{Mortar volume} = \text{Brickwork volume} \times 0.25$ Mortar volume=Brickwork volume×0.25

(Dry volume of mortar = Wet volume × 1.33)

Step-by-Step Brickwork Calculation (1 m³ Example)

Let’s calculate brickwork materials for 1 cubic meter of brick masonry.

Step 1: Calculate Number of Bricks

$1 \, m^3 \times 500 = \boxed{500 \text{ bricks}}$ 1m3×500=500 bricks

Step 2: Calculate Mortar Volume

Wet mortar volume = $1 \times 0.25 = 0.25 \, m^3$ 1×0.25=0.25m3

Dry mortar volume = $0.25 \times 1.33 = 0.3325 \, m^3$ 0.25×1.33=0.3325m3

Step 3: Cement & Sand Calculation (Mortar 1:6)

Total parts = 1 + 6 = 7

Cement Quantity

$\frac{1}{7} \times 0.3325 = 0.0475 \, m^3$ 71×0.3325=0.0475m3

Cement bags: $\frac{0.0475}{0.035} \approx \boxed{1.35 \text{ bags}}$ 0.0350.0475≈1.35 bags

Sand Quantity

$\frac{6}{7} \times 0.3325 = \boxed{0.285 \, m^3}$ 76×0.3325=0.285m3

Final Quantity for 1 m³ Brickwork

Bricks: 500 nos
Cement: 1.35 bags
Sand: 0.28–0.30 m³

Brickwork Calculation Using Wall Area (m² Method)

This method is commonly used for site measurements.

Example:

Wall length = 5 m
Wall height = 3 m
Wall thickness = 230 mm (0.23 m)

Step 1: Calculate Volume

$5 \times 3 \times 0.23 = 3.45 \, m^3$ 5×3×0.23=3.45m3

Step 2: Calculate Bricks

$3.45 \times 500 = \boxed{1725 \text{ bricks}}$ 3.45×500=1725 bricks

Mortar quantities can be calculated using the same method explained earlier.

Brickwork Calculation for Different Wall Thicknesses

Wall Thickness	Bricks per m² (Approx.)
115 mm (Half brick)	60 bricks
230 mm (1 brick)	120 bricks
350mm (1.5 brick)	180 bricks

These values are useful for quick site estimation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Brickwork Calculation

Ignoring mortar thickness
Using non-standard brick sizes
Forgetting mortar dry volume factor
Not adding wastage (3–5%)
Mixing cubic meter and square meter units

Such mistakes can increase brickwork cost by 10–15%.

FAQs

Q1. How many bricks are required for 1 m³ brickwork?
About 500 bricks, using standard size with mortar.

Q2. How much cement is needed for 1 m³ brick masonry?
Around 1.3–1.4 bags, depending on mortar ratio.

Q3. Which mortar ratio is commonly used for brickwork?
1:6 for general brick masonry, 1:4 for load-bearing walls.

Q4. Should extra bricks be added to the estimate?
Yes, add 3–5% for breakage and wastage.

Conclusion

Accurate brickwork quantity calculation with formula is essential for cost-effective and smooth construction. A simple mistake in brick or mortar estimation can lead to delays, excess material, and unnecessary expenses.

By understanding standard brick sizes, mortar ratios, and applying the correct formulas, anyone—from a student to a homeowner—can confidently calculate brickwork quantities.

In construction, strong walls begin with correct calculations.

Brickwork Quantity Calculation (With Formula): Step-by-Step Guide

Basics of Brickwork in Construction

Standard Brick Dimensions & Mortar Thickness

Standard Brick Size (India – Modular Brick)