Enter your Wall Length, Wall Height, Block/Brick Type, and Mortar Joint Thickness to calculate exactly how many Bags of Mortar you'll need — plus your Total Blocks/Bricks, Mortar Volume, and Wall Area, with a built-in Waste Factor so you never come up short on a job.
Bags of Mortar Needed
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Total Blocks/Bricks
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Mortar Volume
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Wall Area
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Calculate mortar needs by determining wall area, block size, and joint thickness. Our calculator factors in the mortar volume needed for horizontal and vertical joints, plus waste allowance.
A 40 lb bag yields about 0.3 cubic feet, 50 lb yields 0.375 cubic feet, 60 lb yields 0.45 cubic feet, and 80 lb yields 0.6 cubic feet of mortar when mixed.
Add 10-15% waste factor for typical projects. For beginners or complex layouts, consider 15-20% to account for spillage, overfilling joints, and mixing losses.
Standard mortar joint thickness is 3/8 inch for concrete blocks and bricks. Thicker joints (1/2 inch) may be used for irregularly sized blocks or decorative purposes.
For 8x8x16 inch blocks with 3/8 inch joints, you get approximately 1.125 blocks per square foot. For standard bricks (8x2x4), it's about 7 bricks per square foot.
Yes, this calculator works for both concrete blocks and bricks. Select your specific block or brick size from the dropdown menu for accurate calculations.
Type N mortar is most common for general construction. Type S offers higher strength for below-grade applications. Type M is for heavy loads and severe weather conditions.