Mortar Calculator

Build strong walls with the CalcGami Mortar Calculator. Precisely estimate the number of bags of premix mortar or the volume of cement and sand required for bricks, blocks, or stone projects. Save your recipes and share orders via WhatsApp.

Related Calculators

What is a Mortar Calculator?

A Mortar Calculator is a masonry estimation tool designed to calculate the quantity of binding material (mortar) needed to construct a wall. Whether you are laying standard red bricks, concrete blocks (CMU), or natural stone, mortar is the “glue” that holds the structure together.

Mortar volume is difficult to guess because it depends on the size of the joints (typically 3/8 inch or 10mm) and the type of masonry unit used. A brick wall requires far more mortar per square foot than a large block wall because there are many more joints. This Mortar Calculator takes the wall dimensions and the unit type to estimate the total cubic footage of mortar needed. It can then convert that volume into the number of pre-mixed bags (e.g., 80lb bags) or raw cement and sand ratios.

Benefits of Using a Mortar Calculator

Running out of mortar halts construction immediately, while mixing too much leads to waste as it hardens quickly. This Mortar Calculator tool optimizes your workflow:

• Joint Precision: It accounts for the specific bed thickness (3/8 inch vs 1/2 inch), ensuring you have enough material for your preferred style.
• Mix Options: It calculates for both Pre-Mix Bags (just add water) and Site Mix (Sand + Cement), giving you flexibility based on what is available.
• Cost Savings: By calculating exact volumes, you avoid over-buying cement that might spoil if stored improperly.
• Project Organization: Use Save Calculation to store different mortar needs for different projects (e.g., “Patio Pavers” vs. “Garden Wall”).
• Supply Chain Speed: Use WhatsApp Share to text the exact bag count to your hardware store for pickup.

Formula Used in Mortar Calculator

The calculation estimates the volume of the joints.

The Plain Text Formulas:

1. Calculate Wall Area
Area = Length x Height

2. Determine Mortar per Unit Area

• Standard Brick: Approx 7 bags of mortar per 1,000 bricks.
• Standard Block: Approx 3 bags of mortar per 100 blocks.

3. General Rule of Thumb

• Pre-Mix: 1 Bag (80lb) yields approx 0.66 cubic feet.
• Coverage: 1 Bag lays approx 40 standard bricks or 12 standard blocks.

4. Cement/Sand Ratio (Site Mix)
Standard Ratio is 1:4 (1 part cement, 4 parts sand).

• Cement: Total Volume / 5
• Sand: (Total Volume / 5) x 4

How to Use the Mortar Calculator

Follow these steps to mix the perfect batch:

1. Select Masonry Unit: Choose Brick or Block.
2. Enter Quantity: Input the total number of bricks/blocks (calculated via a Brick Calculator).
3. Select Mortar Type: Choose Pre-Mix Bags or Raw Cement/Sand.
4. Calculate: Click the button to get the quantity.
5. Review Results: View the total Bags of Pre-mix or cubic yards of sand/cement.
6. Use Productivity Features:
   • History: Check previous estimates.
   • Save Calculation: Store the recipe for later.
   • Share on WhatsApp: Send the shopping list to your team.

Real-Life Example

Scenario:
“Tony” has 1,000 standard bricks to lay for a garden wall. He plans to buy 80lb bags of Type N Mortar mix. He needs to know how many bags to pick up.

The Calculation:

Step 1: Determine Coverage Rate
Standard industry rule: 1 bag lays approximately 35 to 40 bricks (allowing for some waste). Let’s use 35 to be safe.

Step 2: Divide Total Bricks by Rate
Formula: Total Bricks / Bricks per Bag
Calculation: 1,000 / 35 = 28.57 Bags.

The Result:
Tony needs to buy 29 Bags of mortar.

• Action: Tony clicks “Save Calculation” as “Garden Wall Mortar” and uses WhatsApp Share to text his supplier: “Need 29 bags of Type N Mortar delivered.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)