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.
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