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Mortar

Estimate mortar volume and bags for a block wall.

Built and maintained by The NumberPrism Editorial TeamEditorial policy

Your details

Wall area (sq ft)

Block width

Joint thickness

Mortar mix bag

Results update as you type. The formula and assumptions are explained below the calculator.

Mortar bags needed

16 bags

Mortar volume10.79 cu ft

Blocks covered (approx.)225 blocks

Sand volume (approx.)8.09 cu ft

Bag yield used0.7 cu ft

Assumes an 8 × 16 in block face and joints filled flush. Use type N or S mortar to suit the application, and confirm proportions with the masonry supplier.

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What does this tool do?

Mortar fills the bed and head joints between masonry units, so use scales with block size and joint thickness. This calculator estimates joint volume from the wall area and converts it to bags of mortar mix.

The Formula

Mortar (ft³) = Wall area × 0.0469 × (Block width ÷ 8) × (Joint ÷ 0.375) × 1.15

Frequently Asked Questions

How many bags of mortar for 200 blocks?

About 6 cu ft of mortar is typical, or roughly nine 80 lb bags of mortar mix.

What mortar type should I use?

Type N is common for above-grade exterior walls and type S for higher strength; follow the engineer and local code.

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