Calculating the exact number of Bricks per square meter is one of the most essential skills for civil engineers, contractors, masons, and quantity surveyors. Accurate brick estimation helps control material cost, reduce wastage and prevent last-minute shortages during construction.
The number of bricks required per m2 depends upon three main factors:
- Size of the Brick
- Thickness of wall (Full brick or Half brick)
- Thickness of mortar joints
Standard Brick Sizes used in Construction:
Two common brick sizes are widely used:
- Modular Bricks (Indian Standard) : 19 cm × 9 cm × 9 cm (0.19 × 0.09 × 0.09 m)
- Traditional Bricks: 23 cm × 11 cm × 7 cm (0.23 × 0.11 × 0.07 m)
Mortar thickness is typically kept at 10mm (0.01m) for both horizontal and vertical joints.
CASE 1: Modular Bricks (19 × 9 × 9 cm)
For 1 Brick thick wall (Full wall – 190mm)
Volume of 1 Brick with mortar = 0.20×0.10×0.10=0.002 m3
Volume of brickwork in 1m2 = Thickness of wall x Area of brickwork
Volume of brickwork = 0.19mx1m2 = 0.19 m3
No. of bricks = Volume of brickwork/ volume of 1 brick with mortar
Number of Bricks without wastage = 0.19 / 0.002 = 95 bricks
Add 10% wastage for cutting, breakage and handdling
Number of Bricks with wastage = 95+9.5=104.5=105 bricks per m2
Brick Masonry Quantity Calculation
For Half Brick Thick Wall (Partition Wall – 90 mm thick)
Number of Bricks without wastage = 47.5 No’s
With 10% wastage =52-53 bricks per m2
CASE 2:Modular Bricks (23 × 11 × 7 cm)
For 1 Brick thick wall (Full wall – 230mm)
Volume of 1 Brick with mortar = 0.23×0.12×0.08=0.002304 m3
Volume of brickwork in 1m2 = Thickness of wall x Area of brickwork
Volume of brickwork = 0.23mx1m2 = 0.23 m3
No. of bricks = Volume of brickwork/ volume of 1 brick with mortar
Number of Bricks without wastage = 0.23 / 0.002304 = 100 bricks
Add 10% wastage for cutting, breakage and handdling
Number of Bricks with wastage = 100+10=110 bricks per m2
Learn how to calculate bricks along with cement and sand for 9” wall
For Half Brick Thick Wall (Partition Wall – 90 mm thick)
Number of Bricks without wastage = 50 No’s
With 10% wastage =55 bricks per m2
Practical Tips for Site Engineers
- Always order 5-10% extra bricks to avoid delays
- Check Brick dimensions on delivery – size can vary between batches
- Use consistent mortar mix (Usaully 1:6 for general wall)
- Store bricks properly to prevent damage
- For large projects, prepare a detailed brick calculation sheet in excel
Watch this detailed video for a better understanding and step-by-step explanation of brick calculation:
How to calculate number of bricks per Square meter (m2)
Hi I want to calculate the number of bricks on 293m2 Building sand and cement, plaster sand
Hi, thank you for your query!
To calculate the number of bricks, cement, and sand for your 293 m² wall, I need a few details. However, here is a standard calculation assuming the most common case:Assumptions:Wall thickness: (190 mm) full brick wall
Brick size: Modular (19×9×9 cm)
Mortar thickness: 10 mm
Mortar mix ratio: 1:6 (Cement : Sand) for masonry
Plaster: 12 mm thick on both sides
Results for 293 m² Wall
1. Number of Bricks:Bricks per m² = 105 (with 10% wastage)
Total Bricks = 293 × 105 = 30,765 bricks
2. Masonry Mortar (for Brickwork): Cement = approx. 1.8 to 2 bags per m³ of brickwork
Total Cement required ≈ 165 to 175 bags (50 kg each)
Sand required ≈ 9.5 to 10.5 m³
3. Plaster Sand & Cement (12mm thick on both sides):Plaster area = 293 m² × 2 sides = 586 m²
Cement required ≈ 85 to 90 bags
Plaster Sand required ≈ 5.5 to 6 m³
Total Approximate Material:Bricks: 30,765 nos.
Cement (Masonry + Plaster): 250 to 265 bags
Sand (Masonry + Plaster): 15 to 16.5 m³
Would you like me to recalculate with different assumptions? Please reply with:Wall thickness (9 inch or 4.5 inch?)
Brick type/size
Plaster thickness (12mm or 20mm?)
Plaster on one side or both sides?
I’ll give you exact numbers once you confirm. You can also check our detailed guide: How to Calculate Number of Bricks per Square Meter