Brick Calculator for a Chimney
Estimate bricks and mortar for a chimney stack.
A brick chimney above the roof line is measured by outside face area on all four sides. Type S mortar is required for exterior masonry exposed to weather. A standard 24×24 in exterior chimney uses about 30 bricks per vertical foot with all four faces exposed.
Bricks needed
793
incl. 10% waste
Mortar bags
7
70 lb type S
Wall area
160
ft²
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Recommended tools & materials
Handy picks for this project on Amazon.
Brick Trowel
Spread mortar quickly and evenly
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Type S Mortar Mix
For block, brick and retaining walls
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Mason's Line & Line Blocks
Keep every course straight
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4 ft Masonry Level
Check plumb and level as you build
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How does the brick calculator work?
Modular bricks (with a 3/8 in mortar joint) cover about 32 in² of wall face — roughly 4.5 bricks per ft². Multiply wall area by that rate, then add waste for cuts and breakage.
Formula: bricks = (L × H) × (144 ÷ face in²) × (1 + waste%)
Which guide explains this in more depth?
- How inspectors check brick and mortar counts on a single-wythe wall. Read the inspector-approved brick calculator method guide for the full worked example.
What else do people ask about this calculator?
How many bricks per foot of chimney?
About 30 modular bricks per vertical foot for a 24×24 in exterior chimney (all four sides visible). Add 10% waste.
What mortar for a chimney?
Type S — higher compressive strength and better weather resistance than type N. Repoint every 15–25 years to keep water out of the flue.
How many bricks per square foot?
About 4.5 modular bricks per ft² of wall with standard 3/8 in mortar joints. Queen size drops to ~4.6; jumbo to ~3.
How many bags of mortar for 1000 bricks?
About 8 bags of 70 lb type S mortar for 1000 modular bricks (~125 bricks per bag).
Which related calculators should I use next?
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