Concrete Block Calculator
Estimate how many concrete blocks (CMU, cinder or breeze blocks) you need for a wall. Enter the wall size, pick a block, subtract doors and windows, and get the block count with waste, the number of courses and a mortar estimate.
Rough guide for 8×8×16 blocks and an 80 lb bag; check your bag's coverage.
How to use the Concrete Block Calculator
- Choose feet or meters and enter the wall length and height.
- Pick the block size, or choose Custom and enter the actual block size and mortar joint.
- Enter the doors, windows and any other openings to subtract.
- Set a waste allowance (about 5% is common) and, optionally, the block price.
- Read the block count, courses and mortar bags, and compare other block sizes in the table.
Concrete block formulas
- Net wall area = length × height − doors − windows − other openings
- Blocks per unit area = 1 ÷ (nominal block length × nominal block height), where nominal = actual size + mortar joint
- Blocks = net area × blocks per unit area × (1 + waste %), rounded up
- Courses = wall height ÷ nominal block height
Door and window openings use standard sizes: 3 × 7 ft (0.9 × 2.1 m) doors and 3 × 4 ft (0.9 × 1.2 m) windows. Add anything else in "Other openings". Mortar for other block sizes is scaled by the length of joint per square foot compared with a standard 16 × 8 in block.
Block coverage reference
| Block (actual size) | Nominal face with joint | Blocks per sq ft | Blocks per 100 sq ft | Blocks per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7⅝ × 7⅝ × 15⅝ in (8 × 8 × 16) | 16 × 8 in | 1.125 | 112.5 | 12.1 |
| 3⅝ × 7⅝ × 15⅝ in half-high | 16 × 4 in | 2.25 | 225 | 24.2 |
| 7⅝ × 7⅝ × 7⅝ in half block | 8 × 8 in | 2.25 | 225 | 24.2 |
| 440 × 215 mm (UK) | 450 × 225 mm | 0.918 | 91.8 | 9.88 |
| 390 × 190 mm (metric) | 400 × 200 mm | 1.161 | 116.1 | 12.5 |
Block width (4, 6, 8, 10 or 12 in) affects strength and mortar use but not the number of blocks for a given wall face.
Frequently asked questions
How many concrete blocks are in a square foot?
A standard 8 × 8 × 16 in block has a nominal face of 16 × 8 in including the 3/8 in mortar joint, which is 0.889 sq ft, so you need 1.125 blocks per square foot (112.5 per 100 sq ft). The block width does not change the count.
How do I calculate blocks for a wall?
Multiply length by height, subtract openings, and divide by the nominal face area of one block. A 40 × 8 ft wall is 320 sq ft; minus a 21 sq ft door and two 12 sq ft windows gives 275 sq ft; × 1.125 = 309.4, so 310 blocks, or 325 with 5% waste.
What is the actual size of an 8 × 8 × 16 block?
It is 7 5/8 × 7 5/8 × 15 5/8 inches. The nominal size adds a 3/8 inch mortar joint, so blocks lay out on an 8 × 16 inch grid.
How many blocks per m² for metric blocks?
A UK 440 × 215 mm block with a 10 mm joint covers 0.45 × 0.225 m, so about 9.88 blocks per m². A 390 × 190 mm block with a 10 mm joint covers 0.4 × 0.2 m, exactly 12.5 per m².
How much mortar do I need for block?
A common rule of thumb is about 3 bags of masonry cement, mixed with sand, per 100 standard blocks. With premixed mortar, check the coverage printed on the bag; the calculator lets you enter blocks per bag. Real use varies with joint thickness, block type and waste.
Does this include grout, rebar or footings?
No. Reinforced and retaining walls usually need grout-filled cores, rebar and a concrete footing designed for the load. Use a concrete calculator for the footing and follow local building codes or an engineer's design.