Brick Sizes and Dimensions Chart (US, UK, Australia) + Bricks per Square Foot

“Standard brick size” means different things in different places, and even in the US there are a dozen common sizes. Below is the full chart, how nominal and actual sizes relate, and how to work out how many bricks a wall needs.

Brick Sizes Chart (US)

Common US sizes as described by the Brick Industry Association (BIA). Bricks per sq ft assume 3/8″ mortar joints and running bond. Manufacturer dimensions vary slightly, especially for queen and king sizes.

Modular brick is the default in most US commercial and residential work. Queen and king sizes are popular on houses in the South and Southwest because their thinner width and larger face cover a wall with fewer units. Utility and Norman bricks lay up faster on large walls because each unit covers more area.

Nominal vs. Actual Brick Dimensions

Actual size is the brick itself. Nominal size is the brick plus one mortar joint. Modular bricks are made 3/8″ short in each direction so that, with a 3/8″ joint, they land on a 4″ grid that lines up with CMU, windows and door openings.

• Length: 7-5/8″ brick + 3/8″ joint = 8″ nominal, so two bricks equal one 16″ CMU.
• Height: 2-1/4″ brick + 3/8″ joint = 2-5/8″; three courses come to 8″ at a slightly adjusted joint, so three brick courses match one 8″ CMU course.
• Width: 3-5/8″ actual, 4″ nominal, which is the standard veneer thickness.

That 3:1 coursing match is why modular brick pairs so easily with block backup walls. Our CMU block sizes guide covers the block side of that module.

Standard Brick Sizes Outside the US

UK size per BS EN 771-1 standard format. Always confirm with the manufacturer.

How Many Bricks per Square Foot?

Divide 144 sq in by the nominal face area of one brick (nominal length x nominal height). For a modular brick: 8″ x 2-2/3″ = 21.33 sq in, and 144 / 21.33 = 6.75 bricks per square foot. The same method works for any size in the chart.

That figure is for a single wythe (one brick thick) in running bond. A double-wythe wall needs twice as many. Patterns that turn bricks to show their ends or ends and sides, such as Flemish or English bond, also change the count.

How to Estimate Bricks for a Wall

1. Measure each wall and multiply length by height for gross area.
2. Deduct openings for windows and doors.
3. Multiply net area by bricks per square foot for your brick size.
4. Add waste: about 5% for plain walls, more for walls with lots of corners, cuts or soldier courses.
5. Take off mortar: roughly 8 cubic feet of mortar per 1,000 modular bricks with 3/8″ joints, before waste.
6. Count accessories: wall ties, flashing, weeps, lintels and expansion joints.

Worked Example: Brick Veneer Wall

A 40 ft x 8 ft brick veneer wall in modular brick, with two 3 ft x 4 ft windows:

The tie count follows the common residential rule for brick veneer over wood framing: one tie for every 2.67 sq ft of wall, which works out to ties at 16″ on center horizontally and about 24″ vertically. Check the drawings and local code for your project.

Brick Types You Will See on Drawings

• Face brick: made for appearance and weather exposure, used on exterior walls.
• Common (building) brick: lower-grade units for backup walls and areas that will not be seen.
• Thin brick: about 1/2″ to 1″ thick, applied like tile over a backing. It is priced by the square foot, not as full brick.
• Fire brick: dense refractory brick for fireplaces, chimneys and kilns, laid with refractory mortar.
• Paving brick: solid units rated for foot or vehicle traffic, often 4″ x 8″ for patios and walks.

Prices vary widely by type, color and region. Our brick cost estimator guide covers pricing per brick and per square foot.

Need a Masonry Takeoff?

Design Estimation prepares brick and masonry takeoffs for general contractors and masonry subcontractors across the US, with brick counts by size and wall type, mortar, ties, flashing, lintels and accessories. Turnaround is typically 24 to 48 hours. See our concrete and masonry takeoff services or send your drawings for a quote.