Brick Calculator for a Fireplace
Estimate face brick and firebrick for a fireplace.
A masonry fireplace has two brick types: standard face brick on the surround and firebrick lining the firebox itself. Firebrick is denser and rated for the direct-flame heat of a wood fire. Never substitute regular brick inside a firebox — it will spall and crack.
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 firebricks for a fireplace?
A standard 30×30×20 in firebox needs about 90 firebricks (4.5×9×2.5 in each). Use refractory mortar, not standard mortar.
Can I use regular brick for a fireplace surround?
Yes on the face and hearth surround — anywhere outside the firebox. The firebox itself must be firebrick with refractory mortar.
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).
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