How Many Bricks for a 100 Square Foot Wall?
Quick Answer
A 100 square foot wall requires approximately 700 standard modular bricks (with 10% waste) and 7 bags of pre-mixed mortar.
- Standard modular bricks: 6.75 per sq ft → 675 + 10% waste = 743 bricks
- King-size bricks: 4.5 per sq ft → 450 + 10% waste = 495 bricks
- Mortar: ~7 bags of 80-lb pre-mixed mortar
- Total material cost: $400–$900 depending on brick type
Formula
Standard modular bricks (3⅝" × 2¼" × 8") with ⅜" mortar joints cover about 6.75 bricks per square foot. Add 10% for cuts and breakage.
Step-by-Step Calculation
- 1
Wall area
100 sq ft (e.g. 10 ft wide × 10 ft high)
- 2
Bricks needed (modular)
100 × 6.75 = 675 bricks
- 3
Add 10% waste
675 × 1.10 = 742.5 → order 743 bricks
- 4
Mortar
100 sq ft ÷ 15 sq ft per bag = 6.7 → 7 bags
Brick Count by Type for 100 Sq Ft
| Brick Type | Size | Per Sq Ft | Needed (10% waste) | Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Modular | 3⅝×2¼×8" | 6.75 | 743 | $370–$740 |
| King Size | 3⅝×2¾×10" | 4.50 | 495 | $300–$600 |
| Queen Size | 3⅛×2¾×8" | 5.76 | 634 | $320–$630 |
| Concrete Block (8×16) | 8×8×16" | 1.125 | 124 | $150–$250 |
*Brick prices range from $0.50–$1.00 each for standard to $1.00–$2.50 for premium/face brick.
Pro Tips
- At 700 bricks (with waste), order full cube quantities — a standard cube holds 500 bricks. Buy 2 cubes (1,000 bricks) to cover waste, breakage during cutting, and have spares for future repairs. Leftover bricks are useful for matching during future maintenance.
- Soak bricks in water for 20 minutes before laying — dry bricks absorb moisture from mortar too quickly, weakening the bond. This is especially critical in summer when temperatures accelerate evaporation.
- For a 100 sq ft wall, maintain consistent 3/8-inch mortar joints using a jointer tool every 3–4 courses while the mortar is still thumbprint-firm. Tooling at the right stage creates a compressed, waterproof joint that lasts decades.
- Use a string line for every single course — even one course laid without a line will show waviness that is impossible to fix once the mortar sets. For 100 sq ft you will lay about 14 courses, so this adds minimal time but ensures a professional result.
Key Cost Factors
- Standard modular bricks cost $0.50–$1.00 each. At 700 bricks, material cost is $350–$700. Pre-mixed mortar bags cost about $5–$7 each and you need 7 bags ($35–$49). Total materials: $385–$750, depending on brick selection. Face bricks and specialty colors push toward $1.50–$3.00 each.
- Professional bricklayers charge $10–$18 per square foot installed ($1,000–$1,800 for 100 sq ft). A skilled mason lays 400–500 bricks per day, so 700 bricks is a 1.5–2 day job. DIY bricklaying is feasible but slow — expect 100–150 bricks per day for a first-timer, meaning 5–7 days of work.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring mortar joints in the count. Bricks are sized to include a 3/8-inch mortar joint. Calculating from the bare brick face instead of the nominal size overstates how many fit per square foot.
- Forgetting the waste allowance. Cutting bricks at corners, openings, and ends breaks some and creates unusable pieces. Add 5–10% over the roughly 700 modular bricks a 100 sq ft wall needs.
- Not accounting for double-wythe walls. A structural brick wall two bricks thick needs double the count of a single-wythe veneer. Confirm the wall type before ordering.
- Overlooking the mortar quantity. Roughly 7 bags of mortar cover 100 sq ft of brickwork. Ordering brick without matching mortar stalls the job.
Related Project Considerations
- Confirm brick size and type. Modular, queen, and king bricks each have a different coverage per square foot. Standard modular runs about 7 bricks per sq ft — verify yours before finalizing.
- Plan for a foundation or ledge. A brick veneer needs a solid bearing surface such as a foundation ledge or steel lintel. Structural walls need proper footings sized to the load.
- Include ties and flashing for veneer. A brick veneer over framing requires wall ties, weep holes, and flashing to manage moisture — essential parts of the order beyond brick and mortar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much mortar per 100 bricks?
You need about 1 bag (80 lb) of pre-mixed mortar per 100 standard modular bricks, so for 743 bricks on a 100 sq ft wall plan on 7–8 bags. Buy one extra bag as a buffer — running out mid-course means stopping while the mortar in your board dries. Pre-mixed bags are convenient but pricier; for larger jobs, mixing Type S mortar from sand and cement in bulk saves 30–40% on materials.
How long does it take to lay 100 sq ft of brick?
An experienced mason lays about 400–500 bricks per day in running bond. A 100 sq ft wall at 743 bricks takes a skilled mason about 1.5–2 days including cutting, tooling joints, and cleanup. DIYers should plan for 3–5 days at a slower pace, factoring in learning time and more frequent breaks. Cold weather slows the work further because mortar must stay above 40°F to cure properly.
How much does brick installation cost per sq ft?
Professional brick installation costs $10–$25 per sq ft including materials and labor. For a 100 sq ft wall, expect $1,000–$2,500 total installed. The wide range reflects differences in brick type (standard vs. face brick vs. reclaimed), wall height, access difficulty, and regional labor rates. Structural walls with rebar and grout-filled cores cost more than single-wythe veneer walls.