Bricks and mortar per m³
Standard bricks, 10 mm joints: brick counts per m³ and per m², and mortar net and gross quantities for five wall thicknesses.
| Wall (mm) | Bricks per m³ | Bricks per m² | Mortar net (m³/m³) | Mortar gross (m³/m³) | Thousands per 10 m³ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 552 | 64 | 0.193 | 0.202 | 5.52 |
| 180 | 535 | 96 | 0.217 | 0.228 | 5.35 |
| 240 | 529 | 128 | 0.226 | 0.237 | 5.29 |
| 370 | 522 | 192 | 0.236 | 0.248 | 5.22 |
| 490 | 518 | 256 | 0.242 | 0.254 | 5.18 |
All values are computed from the stated formulas; ranges show the usual spread. Use measured data or the local code where it differs.
How to use this table
- For a bill of quantities, take the net wall volume (deduct openings, tie columns and ring beams) and multiply.
- For purchasing, add 1-2% breakage on bricks and a further 5% site loss on the gross mortar figure.
- For a quick site estimate, 128 bricks per m² in a 240 mm wall and 64 in a 120 mm wall are the two numbers that get used.
- Bricks: net wall volume × the table figure. Net volume deducts openings, tie columns and ring beams — never take floor area times wall thickness.
- Mortar: bedding mortar is read against masonry volume, render against wall area. The two must not be merged into one number.
- Cement: mortar volume × cement content per cubic metre (about 200 kg for M5, 240 for M7.5 and 280 for M10), then divide into 50 kg bags.
Common misuse
- Using one-minus-brick-volume as the mortar quantity — that is net, and joint fill adds about 5% on top.
- Entering 180 mm but using 240 mm counts — 535 versus 529 per m³ looks close until it is multiplied out.
- Forgetting to deduct openings — above 30% opening ratio the mortar figure overstates by more than 8%.
- Counting bricks on net dimensions. A 240×115×53 brick gives 684 per m³ on net size but only 529 with a 10 mm joint — 29% out, which on a six-storey block is tens of thousands of bricks.
- Pricing bedding mortar without pointing and waste. Bedding is 0.23-0.26 m³/m³ before the 1.05 waste factor, and external pointing is separate — that line is regularly missed entirely.
Calculate the actual number
Brick Wall CalculatorPick a wall thickness, enter length and height, deduct openings, and get brick count plus mortar volume.Mortar CalculatorChoose brickwork or plastering, enter area and thickness, and get mortar volume plus cement and sand quantities.AAC Block Quantity CalculatorBlock count, volume and adhesive from wall size and block format.
Other reference tables
FAQ
How many bricks per square metre in a 240 mm wall?
128 with standard bricks and 10 mm joints. A 120 mm wall takes 64, a 370 mm wall 192 and a 490 mm wall 256.
How much mortar per cubic metre of brickwork?
0.226 m³ net for a 240 mm wall, about 0.237 m³ with 5% loss. Thinner walls carry a higher mortar proportion.
How do I handle perforated bricks or AAC blocks?
Substitute the actual length, width and height, and keep the joint at 10 mm — or 3-5 mm when AAC is laid with thin-bed adhesive.
How much mortar does a cubic metre of brickwork take?
Solid brickwork 0.23-0.26 m³/m³, hollow clay 0.10-0.13, and AAC blocks only 0.08-0.12 because the units are large and the joints thin. Going from a 10 mm to an 8 mm joint cuts mortar by about 15%.
How many bricks does a tonne of mortar lay?
Mortar density is about 2000 kg/m³, so 1 t is roughly 0.5 m³. At 0.24 m³/m³ that beds about 2 m³ of brickwork, or 529 × 2 ≈ 1060 standard bricks.
How much cement is in a tonne of M5 mortar?
M5 takes about 200 kg of cement per cubic metre, so 1 t of mortar (about 0.5 m³) needs 100 kg — exactly two 50 kg bags. M7.5 takes about 120 kg and M10 about 140 kg.
Results are estimating aids only and are not a design basis. Construction and final accounts must follow the drawings, the applicable standards and an approved method statement. Anything affecting structural safety, shoring or falsework must be checked by a suitably qualified engineer.