Calculator Inputs
Example Data Table
Sample values illustrate typical small brickwork. Adjust for your project and supplier rates.
| Wall (Net Area) | Brick Size | Joint | Mix | Waste | Wet Mortar | Cement Bags | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.5 m² | 190×90×90 mm | 10 mm | 1:6 | 7% | 0.56 m³ | 4.90 bags | PKR 21,850 |
Formula Used
Brick Count
- Gross area = wall length × wall height (or direct area).
- Net area = gross area − openings.
- Module size on face = (brick length + joint) × (brick height + joint).
- Bricks per m² = 1 ÷ module area.
- Thickness modules ≈ wall thickness ÷ (brick width + joint).
- Total bricks = net area × bricks per m² × thickness modules.
Mortar and Costs
- Module volume = (L+J)×(W+J)×(H+J).
- Mortar per brick = module volume − brick volume.
- Wet mortar = total bricks × mortar per brick × (1+waste).
- Dry mortar = wet mortar × dry factor.
- Cement volume = dry mortar × (cement ÷ total ratio).
- Sand volume = dry mortar × (sand ÷ total ratio).
- Cement bags = (cement volume × density) ÷ bag size.
Note: masonry practices vary. For high-precision estimating, compare with site productivity and local standard schedules.
How to Use This Calculator
- Select metric or imperial units for your inputs.
- Enter wall dimensions or switch to direct wall area.
- Deduct openings like doors and windows for net area.
- Provide brick size and average joint thickness.
- Set mortar ratio, waste allowance, and dry factor.
- Enter cement, sand, labor, and any extra costs.
- Click calculate and review totals and quantities.
- Download CSV or PDF for reporting and approvals.
Mortar Cost Planning Guide
Accurate mortar costing starts with separating quantity from price. Quantity depends on wall area, brick size, joint thickness, wall thickness, and workmanship. Price depends on local cement and sand rates, hauling, labor productivity, and the allowances you apply for waste and overhead. This calculator combines both sides so you can validate totals quickly and keep your estimate consistent across drawings and site changes.
The first step is defining the net wall area. Use length and height for regular walls, then deduct openings for doors and windows. For irregular façades, switch to direct area to enter an already-measured surface. Next, set brick dimensions and joint thickness. The calculator uses a “brick module” (brick plus joint) to estimate bricks per square meter and the space that becomes mortar between units.
Mortar volume is calculated as the difference between module volume and brick volume, multiplied by the estimated brick count. A waste allowance is applied to cover spillage, raking, uneven joints, and small rework. The wet mortar is then converted to dry volume using the dry factor, which reflects bulking and voids during mixing. Finally, the dry volume is split by your cement:sand ratio to estimate cement volume, cement weight, and bag count, plus sand volume.
To price the work, enter cement bag price, sand price per cubic meter, and optional additives per cubic meter of wet mortar. Add labor per square meter for mixing, carrying, and laying, then include fixed costs such as mixer rental. Overhead and profit can be applied as a percentage of subtotal, and tax can be applied afterward for a final sell price.
Example: A wall with 14.5 m² net area, 190×90×90 mm bricks, 10 mm joints, and a 1:6 mix with 7% waste produces about 0.56 m³ wet mortar and about 4.9 cement bags (50 kg). If cement is PKR 1,400 per bag, sand is PKR 2,800 per m³, and labor is PKR 250 per m², you can see how material and labor totals combine into the grand total shown in the summary.
When comparing suppliers, confirm cement brand, sand cleanliness, moisture, and delivery fees. Small unit-rate changes often move totals more than minor shifts in calculated mortar volume.
Best practice: compare results with a recent site record, then adjust waste and labor rates to match your crew and access conditions.
FAQs
1) Why does joint thickness affect mortar cost so much?
Joints increase the brick module size and the mortar space around each unit. Thicker joints usually raise mortar volume, cement bags, and sand volume, especially on large wall areas.
2) What dry volume factor should I use?
Many estimators use 1.25 to 1.40 for mortar. Use a higher value when sand grading is poor or mixing control is weak. Use a lower value for tight batching and good supervision.
3) How do I choose the waste percentage?
For clean handling and short carrying distances, 3–5% may work. For scaffold lifts, rainy work, or frequent raking and refilling, 7–12% is common. Track actual waste to refine future estimates.
4) Does this include plaster or pointing mortar?
No. This calculator targets brickwork bedding and joint mortar based on brick modules. Plaster, pointing, or repair mortar has different thickness and coverage assumptions and should be estimated separately.
5) Why is my cement bag count not a whole number?
The calculator outputs a theoretical quantity. For purchasing, round up to the next whole bag and consider packaging losses. If you want strict procurement values, add a small purchasing allowance.
6) Can I estimate only materials and ignore labor?
Yes. Set labor per m² and fixed costs to zero to see material-only totals. This is useful for supply orders or comparing suppliers, while keeping the same mortar quantity assumptions.
7) How can I make results match my site measurement method?
Use your standard brick size, average joint thickness, and a waste factor based on recent projects. Then compare the calculated mortar volume to a known wall section and tune the dry factor until the results align.