Masonry Wall Calculator
CMU block and brick veneer takeoff — pieces per sq ft, mortar bags, rebar sticks, and labor for structural and veneer walls.
5% for straight walls; 8% with lots of openings
32 in OC residential; 24 in OC for tall or load-bearing
CMU: 25–35. Brick: 20–28.
Result
- Net wall area
- 200 sq ft
- Block count
- 237
- Brick count
- —
- Mortar bags (80 lb)
- 12
- Rebar sticks (#5, 20 ft)
- 13
- Block cost
- $593
- Brick cost
- $0
- Mortar cost
- $120
- Rebar cost
- $195
- Material total
- $908
- Labor
- 6.7 hr · $433
- Total (material + labor)
- $1,341
This estimate is based on national average costs and may vary by region, project specifics, and market conditions. Use as a starting point for your bids.
How to estimate a masonry wall
Block and brick takeoffs are area math: net wall sq ft × the piece count per sq ft, plus waste. Then layer in mortar (consumes about 3 ft³ per 100 block, 7 ft³ per 1,000 brick) and rebar for structural CMU.
Material multipliers
| Material | Pieces / sq ft | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CMU 8×8×16 | 1.125 | Including 3/8 in mortar joint |
| Modular brick | 6.86 | 3.5 × 2.25 × 7.625 nominal |
| Norman brick | 4.5 | 11.625 in long; checks larger faces |
| Queen size | 5.76 | 3 × 2.75 × 8 |
Mortar yield
- 80 lb bag premix: ~0.6 ft³ yield
- CMU consumption: 3 ft³ per 100 blocks → 5 bags / 100 blocks
- Brick consumption: 7 ft³ per 1,000 brick → 12 bags / 1,000 brick
- Bulk type-S delivery: ~$200/yd³ for large commercial jobs
Rebar layout for structural CMU
Typical residential structural CMU calls for #5 vertical rebar every 32 in OC (more frequent for taller walls), with horizontal joint reinforcement every 4 courses and bond beams at the top and around any openings. Solid-grout the cells with the rebar — that's where the strength comes from. Always consult an engineer for retaining walls over 4 ft tall or any wall carrying significant load.
Pricing benchmarks (installed)
- CMU 8 in structural: $12–22 per sq ft installed
- Brick veneer: $14–24 per sq ft installed
- CMU + brick composite: $24–38 per sq ft installed
Frequently asked questions
How many CMU blocks per square foot of wall?
1.125 blocks per sq ft including standard 3/8-in mortar joints, for the typical 8×8×16 hollow CMU. A 10-ft tall × 20-ft long wall (200 sq ft) needs 225 blocks. Always order 5–8% extra for cuts and breakage.
How many bricks per square foot?
Modular brick (3.5×2.25×7.625): 6.86 brick per sq ft of finished wall face. Standard residential 4-ft tall × 40-ft long brick veneer (160 sq ft) needs ~1,100 brick. Norman, queen, jumbo, and roman sizes all change this number — verify with your supplier.
How much mortar do I need?
CMU walls: roughly 3 cubic feet of mortar per 100 blocks. Brick: 7 cubic feet per 1,000 brick. An 80-lb bag of mortar premix yields about 0.6 ft³. A 225-block wall needs 6.75 ft³ of mortar = 12 bags. Most masons buy bagged premix for small jobs; for large commercial they use bulk type-S delivered.
Do I need rebar in a CMU wall?
Almost always for structural walls. Vertical rebar (#5 typical) every 32 in OC, with horizontal joint reinforcement every 4 courses. Bond beams at top and around openings. Solid grout the rebar cells. Non-structural retaining walls and decorative walls may not need rebar, but check your local code and consult an engineer for anything over 4 ft tall.
How fast can a mason lay block or brick?
Experienced mason + 1 helper: 25–35 sq ft per hour for CMU; 20–28 sq ft per hour for brick veneer. Cold weather, scaffolding setup, and complex corners all slow this down. Commercial production crews running parallel scaffolding can hit 60+ sq ft/hr for straight CMU walls.
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