Mortar Calculator
Calculate exactly how many bags of mortar you need for laying bricks, pavers, and concrete blocks.
Wall Details
Mortar Required
For estimation purposes only. Verify structural calculations with a licensed engineer.
Brick Mortar Calculator
When building a masonry wall, estimating the blocks or bricks is easy. Estimating the 'mud' that holds them together is much harder. Running out of mortar mid-wall is incredibly frustrating because you have to stop laying brick, drive to the hardware store, and risk your previous courses drying out unevenly.
By using our mortar calculator, you can accurately calculate mortar for bricks or concrete masonry units (CMU) before you begin. Simply enter your total wall dimensions or your total unit count, and the tool will generate precise 80lb and 60lb bag counts.
How Much Mortar Do I Need?
A common question from DIYers is, "How many bags of mortar for 1000 bricks?"
While our mortar mix calculator runs the exact mathematical volume for the 3/8-inch joints between the units, contractors often rely on these general rules of thumb:
- Standard Bricks: 1 bag of 80lb mortar will lay approximately 100 bricks. Therefore, 1,000 bricks requires 10 bags.
- 8-Inch Concrete Blocks (CMU): 1 bag of 80lb mortar will lay approximately 30 to 40 standard blocks.
Waste Factor Warning: Mortar waste is exceptionally high compared to poured concrete. Mortar constantly drops off the trowel and falls into the hollow cores of the blocks. Always add a 15% to 20% waste factor to your mortar order.
Type S Mortar vs Type N Mortar
Once you've used the Type S mortar calculator to find your bag count, you have to decide which type of mortar to actually purchase.
Type S Mortar is a high-strength structural mortar (minimum 1,800 PSI). It is required for anything below-grade, such as foundation walls, retaining walls, and any structure supporting heavy loads.
Type N Mortar is a general-purpose mortar (minimum 750 PSI). While weaker, it is much more flexible and workable. It is the preferred choice for above-grade exterior walls, brick veneers, and chimneys because it can flex slightly with temperature changes without cracking the bricks.