Brick Dimensions Guide: Standard Sizes in Australia

The standard Australian brick measures 230mm long x 110mm wide x 76mm high (roughly 9″ x 4.5″ x 3″ in imperial). This is the “actual” size of the brick itself once you add a standard 10mm mortar joint, the nominal size used for planning is closer to 240mm x 120mm x 86mm. Other common sizes include utility, double-height, modular, Roman, and paving bricks, each suited to different applications.

Standard Brick Dimensions in Australia

Most face bricks used on Australian homes follow the same standard dimensions, in both metric and imperial:

This is the size you’ll see quoted for the vast majority of standard clay bricks, including most recycled and reclaimed bricks salvaged from older Australian buildings.

Nominal vs Actual Dimensions

Brick sizing gets confusing because two different numbers are used side by side. The actual dimension is the physical size of the brick itself — 230mm x 110mm x 76mm. The nominal dimension adds a standard 10mm mortar joint to the length and height, giving a working figure of roughly 240mm x 110mm x 86mm. A single course of brickwork (one brick layer plus its mortar joint) works out to 86mm a figure bricklayers use constantly when setting out window heights, door heights, and course counts.

Other Common Brick Sizes

Standard bricks aren’t the only size you’ll come across. Depending on the application, you may need:

• Utility bricks — longer and taller than standard, often used to speed up construction on larger walls
• Double-height (Monarch) bricks — reduce the number of courses needed for a given wall height
• Modular bricks — a compact, square-faced size used in some feature and internal applications
• Roman bricks — long and low, popular for a distinctive, elongated look on feature walls
• Paving bricks — typically flatter and often laid without mortar joints; see our guide to bricks per square metre for exact paving quantities

How wide is a brick?
A standard Australian brick is 110mm wide (about 4.5 inches).

How long is a brick?
A standard Australian brick is 230mm long (about 9 inches).

How tall is a brick?
A standard Australian brick is 76mm high (about 3 inches).

How big is a brick?
A standard Australian brick measures 230mm long x 110mm wide x 76mm high — roughly the size of two stacked smartphones.

Recycled and Sandstock Brick Dimensions

Reclaimed bricks are usually the same standard size as new bricks — most were manufactured to the same specifications when originally laid. Where they differ is consistency.

• Sandstock bricks Australia’s earliest bricks, handmade from the 1800s to early 1900s — are typically standard sized (230mm x 110mm x 76mm), but their edges are less uniform than a machine-made brick, so mortar joints can vary slightly from brick to brick.
• Older, handmade bricks in general can vary a few millimetres from batch to batch, which is normal for the era and part of their character.

At The Brick Pit, we grade our recycled bricks by era and size so you know what you’re getting before you order. Browse our full product range or get in touch if you need help matching an existing brick.

Why Brick Dimensions Matter for Your Project

Getting dimensions right affects more than just the finished look:

• Structural set-out — window heights, door heights, and course counts are all planned around brick and mortar joint dimensions
• Ordering accuracy — mixing sizes without adjusting your count can leave you short, or with unusable leftover stock
• Consistency — if you’re matching an existing wall or extending an older structure, confirming the exact size (and mortar joint style) avoids a visible mismatch

If you’re working with reclaimed bricks of mixed sizes, sort them before you start, and allow roughly 10% extra stock to account for natural variation especially with older, handmade bricks.

FAQs

What is the standard brick size in Australia?

230mm long x 110mm wide x 76mm high (about 9″ x 4.5″ x 3″). This is the actual brick size, before adding a mortar joint.

What’s the difference between nominal and actual brick size?

Actual size is the brick itself. Nominal size adds a standard mortar joint (usually 10mm), which is the figure used for planning wall lengths and course heights.

Are recycled bricks the same size as new bricks?

Usually, yes — most reclaimed bricks were originally manufactured to standard dimensions. Older, handmade bricks like sandstocks can have slightly less uniform edges, so allow a little extra for variation.

How many bricks do I need per square metre?

It depends on the brick size and mortar joint. See our full bricks-per-m² guide for exact figures by brick type.

Need Help Choosing the Right Bricks?

Whether you’re matching an existing wall or starting a new project, The Brick Pit can help you find the right size and style. Browse our products or contact us for advice or a brick match.