Bricks Per m² Formula
With Waste: Bricks per m² × 1.05
How Many Bricks Per M2? — Brick Calculator Australia
Over 1.3 billion bricks are manufactured in Australia each year (ABS Manufacturing data, 2024). A standard brick wall uses approximately 50 bricks per square metre — but the exact number depends on brick size, mortar joints, bond pattern, and wastage allowance.
Bricks Per Square Metre by Brick Size
| Brick Type | Dimensions (L×H×W) | Bricks per m² | With 10mm Mortar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (most common) | 230 × 76 × 110mm | ~50 | 48–50 |
| Double height | 230 × 162 × 110mm | ~25 | 24–25 |
| Modular | 290 × 90 × 90mm | ~36 | 34–36 |
| Maxi / oversized | 300 × 100 × 110mm | ~30 | 29–30 |
Mortar Joint Allowance
Standard Australian brickwork uses a 10mm mortar joint. This is factored into the “bricks per m²” figures above. If you use a thinner joint (e.g. 6mm for face brick), you will need slightly more bricks per m². Thicker joints (12mm) reduce the count marginally.
- 10mm joint (standard): 50 bricks per m²
- 6mm joint (thin): 52–54 bricks per m²
- 12mm joint (thick): 47–48 bricks per m²
Wastage Factors
| Project Type | Wastage % | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Straight walls, no openings | 5% | Breakage during handling |
| Walls with doors & windows | 7–8% | Cuts around openings |
| Feature walls / complex patterns | 10% | Pattern cuts, breakage |
Bond Pattern Effects on Quantity
- Stretcher bond (standard): 50 bricks per m² — most common for single-skin walls and veneer.
- English bond: 100 bricks per m² — double-skin wall with alternating header and stretcher courses.
- Flemish bond: 100 bricks per m² — alternating headers and stretchers in each course.
- Header bond: 100 bricks per m² — all headers, used for curved walls.
- Stack bond (decorative): 50 bricks per m² — same count but requires more precision.
Cost Per M2 by State (Standard Bricks, Supply Only)
| State | Brick Cost per m² | Laid Cost per m² (inc. labour) |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | $45–$70 | $120–$180 |
| VIC | $40–$65 | $110–$170 |
| QLD | $42–$68 | $115–$175 |
| SA | $38–$60 | $105–$160 |
| WA | $40–$65 | $110–$170 |
| TAS / NT / ACT | $50–$80 | $130–$200 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks per m2 for a standard wall?
A standard Australian brick (230 × 76 × 110mm) with 10mm mortar joints requires approximately 50 bricks per square metre for a single-skin stretcher bond wall. Double-skin walls (English or Flemish bond) require 100 bricks per m².
How do I calculate the number of bricks I need?
Multiply the wall area (height × length) in square metres by 50 (for standard bricks). Subtract the area of any doors and windows. Then add 5–10% for wastage. For example: a 10m² wall = 10 × 50 = 500 bricks + 5% waste = 525 bricks.
How many bricks per m2 for a double brick wall?
A double brick (cavity) wall requires 100 standard bricks per m² — 50 for the outer skin and 50 for the inner skin. This is common in Western Australia and older builds in other states.
How much mortar do I need per m2 of brickwork?
Standard brickwork requires approximately 0.03 m³ of mortar per m² of single-skin wall. That is roughly one 20kg bag of pre-mixed mortar per 2 m² of wall, or about 25 bags per m³ of mortar mixed from scratch.