Around 48 to 60 standard bricks per square metre, depending on brick size and mortar joint thickness. A standard Australian brick (230mm x 110mm x 76mm) with a 10mm mortar joint works out to roughly 48 bricks per m². Without mortar joints factored in, the same brick gives closer to 57. Always add 5–10% extra for cuts, breakages, and future repairs.
Below we break down the full formula, a ready-to-use table for standard, paving, and block sizes, and how to scale the number up to a whole wall, house, or pallet order so you order exactly what you need, once.
How Many Bricks Per Square Meter?
For a standard single-skin brick wall using a typical Australian house brick and a 10mm mortar joint, plan on 48 bricks per square metre. This is the number most Australian bricklayers and suppliers including us at The Brick Pit quote as the rule of thumb for residential brickwork.
Why Brick Size Changes the Answer
Bricks are not all one size, so “how many per m²” always depends on which brick you’re using. A standard Australian brick is approximately 230mm long x 110mm wide x 76mm high, but paving bricks, double-course bricks, and veneer bricks all differ.
- Always check the exact brick dimensions before ordering — a few millimetres per brick adds up fast across a whole wall.
- Mortar joint thickness (usually 10mm in Australia) also changes the count, since it adds to each brick’s effective footprint.
- Bond pattern (stretcher, header, Flemish) affects how many bricks are visible per m² on the face of the wall versus how many are used through the wall’s thickness.
The Formula: How to Calculate Bricks Per m2 Yourself
- Measure your brick’s face area — length × height, in metres.
- Divide 1m² by that face area to get bricks per m² with no mortar allowance.
- Add the mortar joint thickness (commonly 10mm) to both the length and height, then repeat the calculation to get the more realistic, mortar-adjusted figure.
- Add 5–10% on top of your final number to cover cuts, breakages, and wastage.
Worked example using a standard brick: face area without mortar = 0.230m × 0.076m = 0.01748m², giving ≈57 bricks per m². With a 10mm mortar joint added to both dimensions: (0.240m × 0.086m) = 0.02064m², giving ≈48 bricks per m² — a 15–16% difference, which is exactly why skipping the mortar allowance leads to under-ordering.
How Many Bricks in 1 Square Meter With Mortar Joints?
This is the number that matters for ordering: roughly 48 bricks per m² for standard bricks with a 10mm joint. If you are also estimating mortar volume for the same wall, our mortar guide covers the AS 3700 mix ratios you will need alongside your brick count.
Bricks Per m2 Table – Standard, Paving, Blocks & More
| Brick / Block Type | Dimensions (mm) | Bricks/Blocks per m² (no mortar) | Per m² (with 10mm mortar) |
| Standard house brick | 230 x 110 x 76 | 57 | 48 |
| Double course brick | 230 x 110 x 162 | 27 | 23 |
| Thin veneer brick | 290 x 90 x 40 | 38 | 32 |
| Paving brick | 200 x 200 x 50 | 25 | 20 |
| Besser block (190 series) | 390 x 190 x 190 | 13 | 12 |
For paving-specific projects, pair this table with our Paving Bricks range recycled paving brick dimensions can vary slightly from new stock, so we always confirm exact sizing before you finalise quantities.
How Many Bricks Per Square Foot?
Since 1 square metre ≈ 10.76 square feet, a standard brick coverage of 48 per m² works out to roughly 4.5 bricks per square foot (with mortar). For a 100-square-foot wall, that’s approximately 450 bricks, plus your usual 5–10% waste allowance.
How Many Bricks Do I Need? (Walls, Houses, Pallets)
For a wall
Multiply your wall’s area in m² by the bricks-per-m² figure from the table above, then add your waste allowance. For a full worked example by wall size, see our Brick Calculator Guide.
For a whole house
There’s no single fixed number it depends on the house’s footprint, wall height, number of storeys, and how much of the exterior is brick veneer versus other cladding. As a rough planning figure, a single-storey brick veneer home in Australia commonly uses somewhere in the order of 8,000 to 12,000 standard bricks, but this varies significantly by design. For an accurate figure, measure your actual wall area and apply the per-m² rate above, or send us your plans and we’ll help you size the order.
How Many Bricks for One Room?
A single average-sized room (roughly 12–15m² of wall area, one storey) typically needs somewhere between 600 and 900 standard bricks, depending on wall height and how many walls are exterior brickwork versus internal. Use the per-m² rate above against your actual wall area for an exact figure.
For a pallet
Most brick pallets in Australia hold approximately 400 to 500 standard bricks, though this varies by supplier and brick type. Always confirm pallet quantity with your supplier before calculating how many pallets to order.
Common Mistakes When Calculating Bricks Per m2
- Forgetting the waste factor — add 5–10% extra for cuts, breakages, and future repairs.
- Ignoring brick type — retaining walls, paving, and decorative veneer all use different bricks with different coverage rates.
- Skipping the mortar allowance — as shown above, this alone causes a 15%+ undercount.
- Measuring only the wall face and forgetting wall thickness for double-skin or cavity walls, which roughly doubles the brick count for the same wall area.
Why Bother Calculating Precisely?
- Budget – overestimating wastes money; underestimating means a delayed delivery mid-build.
- Aesthetics – mismatched or irregular gaps from running short on a specific brick batch are hard to fix later, especially with recycled or colour-matched brick.
- Time – running out of material mid-job is one of the most common (and avoidable) causes of build delays.
Not sure exactly how many bricks your project needs?
Send us your wall dimensions or plans and our team will work out the exact brick count, pallet quantity, and matching recycled brick options for your project free of charge, no obligation.
Request a Free Quote from The Brick Pit
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks are in a square metre?
Around 57 bricks per m² without mortar joints, or about 48 per m² once a standard 10mm mortar joint is factored in, for a typical Australian house brick.
How many bricks do I need for a house?
There’s no fixed number it depends on the home’s footprint, wall height, and design. A rough planning range for a single-storey brick veneer home is 8,000–12,000 standard bricks, but always confirm with an accurate measurement of your wall area.
How many paving bricks do I need per square metre?
Standard paving bricks (200mm x 200mm x 50mm) work out to roughly 25 per m² without mortar/spacing, or about 20 per m² allowing for joint gaps see our full table above for other paver sizes.
How many bricks are in a leaf?
“Leaf” is a trade term for one layer (skin) of a cavity wall. The brick count per m² for a single leaf is the same as a standard single-skin wall refer to the main table above but cavity walls use two leaves, so double the count for the full wall.
How many bricks are in a pallet?
Most Australian brick pallets hold approximately 400–500 standard bricks, though this varies by supplier and brick type. Confirm exact pallet quantities with your supplier before ordering.
Can I reuse old bricks?
Yes, provided they’re checked for cracks, chips, or excessive weathering. Recycled bricks that pass inspection are structurally sound and add character that new bricks can’t replicate.
What’s the cheapest brick type?
Common clay bricks are typically the most budget-friendly upfront, though durability varies by source. Quality recycled bricks often offer a strong balance of cost and longevity.
Do I really need mortar between bricks?
Yes, for any structural or weather-exposed brickwork. Mortar prevents shifting, keeps water out of the wall, and is what allows the wall to bear load safely over time.
Final Thoughts
Getting your bricks-per-m2 number right the first time saves money, time, and a fair amount of mid-project stress. Whether you’re calculating for a garden wall, a paved courtyard, or a full house build, start with accurate measurements, apply the right rate from the table above, and always build in a sensible waste allowance.
