Block Wall Calculator: Brick and Block Quantities
Calculate brick or block quantities, mortar volume, and material costs for wall construction.
Last updated: January 2026
Dimensions (L×H×W): 400×200×200 mm
No openings added. Click “Add Opening” to subtract door/window areas.
Blocks Required
367
Net Wall Area
30 m²
Mortar Volume
0.489 m³
ESTIMATION NOTICE
This calculator provides APPROXIMATE QUANTITIES for budgeting and planning purposes.
Please note:
• Results include standard wastage factors but actual waste may vary based on site conditions, workmanship, and material quality.
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About This Calculator
The Brick/Block Calculator helps contractors and quantity surveyors estimate masonry materials for wall construction across UAE and Gulf projects. Calculate the exact number of bricks or blocks, mortar volume, and cement requirements based on wall dimensions and bond patterns. Essential for accurate BOQ preparation and material procurement in residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects.
Formula
Gross wall area = length x height; net area = gross - sum of (opening width x height x quantity)
Blocks per m2 = 1 / ((block length + joint) x (block height + joint)) [dimensions in metres]
Blocks required = round up (net area x blocks per m2)
Blocks with wastage = round up (blocks required x (1 + wastage %))
Face fraction = (L x H) / ((L + joint) x (H + joint)); mortar per m2 = (1 - face fraction) x block width x 1.15
Mortar volume = net area x mortar per m2
Cement = round up (mortar volume x 5.5 bags of 50 kg); sand = mortar volume x 1.14 m3 (1:6 mix)
Estimated cost = blocks with wastage x price per block (if entered)
Worked example
Inputs
- Wall 10 m long, 3 m high
- One door opening 1.0 m x 2.1 m
- Standard concrete block 400 x 200 x 200 mm, 10 mm mortar joints
- Wastage 5%
Steps
- Gross area = 10 x 3 = 30 m2; opening = 1.0 x 2.1 = 2.1 m2; net area = 27.9 m2
- Blocks per m2 = 1 / (0.41 x 0.21) = 11.61
- Blocks required = round up (27.9 x 11.61) = 325
- With 5% wastage = round up (325 x 1.05) = 342 blocks
- Mortar per m2 = (1 - 80,000 / 86,100) x 0.2 x 1.15 = 0.0163 m3; mortar volume = 27.9 x 0.0163 = 0.455 m3
- Cement = round up (0.455 x 5.5) = 3 bags; sand = 0.455 x 1.14 = 0.52 m3
Result: 342 blocks (325 net plus 5% wastage), 0.455 m3 of mortar, 3 bags of cement and 0.52 m3 of sand.
Assumptions and limits
- A single-leaf wall of one block type laid in a regular bond; corners, bond cuts, lintels, bond beams and blockwork reinforcement are not counted.
- The mortar mix is taken as 1:6 cement to sand with a 50 kg cement bag; the 15% allowance for filling and waste is fixed. Check the mix and bag size in your specification.
- Wastage is the allowance you set (0 to 15%); site breakage, supplier tolerances and block sizes differ from the presets.
- Plaster, screeds, and the cost of mortar and labour are not included; the cost line is blocks only, in AED, using the price you enter.
- Preliminary quantity estimate to be confirmed against the drawings and bill of quantities.
When to Use This Calculator
- Preparing BOQ for masonry works in new construction
- Estimating block quantities for boundary walls and partitions
- Calculating mortar and cement requirements for wall construction
- Planning material procurement for villa and building projects
- Verifying contractor quotations for masonry quantities
How to Use This Calculator
Enter Wall Dimensions
Input the total wall length and height in meters, or calculate from room perimeter.
Select Block/Brick Type
Choose standard sizes: 400×200×200mm blocks, 400×200×150mm blocks, or standard bricks.
Specify Openings
Enter door and window areas to deduct from total wall area.
Choose Mortar Mix
Select the mortar ratio (1:4, 1:5, or 1:6) and the joint thickness from your specification.
Calculate Results
Get block quantity, mortar volume, cement bags, and sand requirements with wastage.
Typical Scenarios in UAE & Gulf Projects
A villa project needs 120m of boundary wall at 2.4m height (288 m²) in 400×200×200mm blocks with 10mm joints. With 5% wastage the calculator gives 3,513 blocks, about 4.7 m³ of mortar, 26 bags of cement and 5.4 m³ of sand (1:6 mix).
An Abu Dhabi office fit-out has 850 m² of partition walls in 400×200×150mm hollow blocks, with 127.5 m² (15%) of door and service openings deducted. With 5% wastage the calculator gives 8,812 blocks and about 8.8 m³ of mortar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many blocks per square meter of wall?
For standard 400×200mm blocks: about 11.6 blocks/m² with 10mm joints (12.5/m² ignoring joints). For 400×150mm blocks: 12.5 blocks/m². For standard bricks (230×110mm): 55-60 bricks/m² in half-brick wall, 110-120 in full-brick wall. Always add 5-10% wastage.
What mortar ratio should I use for block walls?
Standard mortar ratios: 1:4 (cement:sand) for load-bearing walls and external walls, 1:5 for general purpose partitions, 1:6 for non-load-bearing internal walls. In Gulf climate, add waterproofing admixture for external walls exposed to humidity.
How do I calculate mortar volume for blockwork?
Mortar volume = (Wall area × joint thickness × joint length factor). For 10mm joints on 400×200×200mm blocks: roughly 0.015–0.02 m³ of mortar per m² of wall (this calculator uses about 0.016 m³/m² including a 15% allowance). One 50kg bag of cement makes roughly 0.13 m³ of 1:4 mortar or 0.18 m³ of 1:6 mortar.
Last Updated: January 2026
Standards Reference: Block quantities per ASTM C90 and BS EN 771 masonry standards
