Build tidy borders, patios, and raised planters. Enter dimensions, choose brick size, add waste quickly. Get counts, costs, and downloads in one click now.
This tool estimates bricks by dividing your net coverage area by the modular brick face area (brick size plus joint gap).
Mortar is approximated for wall projects as: wall volume - total brick volume, with a 10% contingency. Real-site conditions can vary with tooling, joint profile, and cleanup losses.
| Garden task | Type | Key inputs | Typical waste | Sample result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raised bed surround | Wall | 3.0 m x 0.6 m, 1 brick thick, 10 mm joints | 5% | About 390 to 430 bricks |
| Garden edging run | Wall | 12 m x 0.2 m, 1 brick thick, small openings | 6% | About 260 to 310 bricks |
| Small patio pad | Surface | 2.4 m x 2.4 m, 8 to 10 mm gaps, standard bricks | 8% | About 270 to 320 bricks |
| Herringbone path | Surface | 8 m^2 custom area, 10 mm gaps | 10% | About 380 to 450 bricks |
Use calculated totals to order materials confidently and reduce rework.
Garden brickwork often includes curves, corners, and grade changes. Small measurement errors scale quickly. For a 10 m border wall at 0.25 m height (2.50 m²), a density of 60 bricks per m² means about 150 bricks before waste. A 6% waste allowance adds 9 bricks; a 10% allowance adds 15 bricks.
Net area is the main driver: gross area minus openings, planting pockets, or drain gaps. Joint sizes also change density. Increasing the vertical joint from 10 mm to 12 mm reduces bricks per m² because each module grows. For surfaces, the gap applies both directions, so wider gaps lower brick count faster than walls.
The calculator reports bricks per m² and per ft² to help verify orders. Typical garden wall densities may fall between 50 and 75 bricks per m² depending on brick face size and joints. If your number sits far outside that band, recheck units and confirm you entered brick dimensions, not brick pack size.
Waste covers cuts, breakage, and selection for consistent color. Straight running layouts often work with 5%. Stack patterns can push 6% due to alignment cuts. Basket weave commonly uses 8% because of edge trimming. Herringbone frequently needs 10% or more, especially on narrow paths or angled borders.
Total bricks is rounded up so you do not underbuy. If you add a per-brick price, the tool estimates material spend and provides a shareable CSV and a printable PDF. For walls, the mortar estimate is a volume-based approximation; confirm with your mix design and local bag yield.
Use wall mode if bricks are stacked with visible height. Use surface mode if bricks are laid flat like pavers. The face dimensions differ, which changes bricks per area.
The calculator uses a modular brick size: brick plus joint. Larger joints increase the module area, so fewer bricks fit in each square meter or square foot.
For straight runs, 5% is common. For patterns with more cuts, 6–10% is safer. Increase waste for curves, tight corners, or matching colors across multiple batches.
Estimate the area first, then choose Custom Area. For circles, area equals π times radius squared. For odd shapes, split into rectangles and triangles, then sum areas.
Yes. Enter the total openings or cutouts area so it is removed from the gross area. This prevents over-ordering and keeps the result aligned with the actual coverage.
It is a practical approximation for planning. Bag yields vary by mix, joint profile, and waste. Use the estimate to cross-check, then confirm quantities with your mortar supplier or mix specification.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.