Brick sizes are standardized to ensure modular coordination, structural integrity, and efficient construction. In the United States, the standard modular brick measures 3⅝" × 2¼" × 8" (nominal 4" × 2⅔" × 8"), while the UK uses a metric brick of 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm. Understanding actual vs. nominal dimensions, regional variations, and brick types is essential for accurate material estimation and successful masonry projects.
| Brick Type | Actual Dimensions | Nominal Dimensions | Weight | Bricks per SF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modular | 3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝" (92 × 57 × 194 mm) |
4" × 2⅔" × 8" (102 × 68 × 203 mm) |
4.5 lbs (2 kg) | 7 bricks |
| Standard | 3⅝" × 2¼" × 8" (92 × 57 × 203 mm) |
4" × 2⅔" × 8" (102 × 68 × 203 mm) |
4.5 lbs (2 kg) | 6.5 bricks |
| Queen | 3⅛" × 2¾" × 7⅝" (79 × 70 × 194 mm) |
3⅕" × 3⅕" × 8" (81 × 81 × 203 mm) |
5.6 lbs (2.5 kg) | 5 bricks |
| King | 3⅛" × 2¾" × 9⅝" (79 × 70 × 244 mm) |
3⅕" × 3⅕" × 9⅘" (81 × 81 × 250 mm) |
6.5 lbs (3 kg) | 4.5 bricks |
| Engineer Modular | 3⅝" × 2¾" × 7⅝" (92 × 70 × 194 mm) |
4" × 3⅕" × 8" (102 × 81 × 203 mm) |
5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | 5.5 bricks |
| Closure Modular | 3⅝" × 3⅝" × 7⅝" (92 × 92 × 194 mm) |
4" × 4" × 8" (102 × 102 × 203 mm) |
6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) | 5 bricks |
| Norman | 3⅝" × 2¼" × 11⅝" (92 × 57 × 295 mm) |
4" × 2⅔" × 12" (102 × 68 × 305 mm) |
6.4 lbs (2.9 kg) | 4.5 bricks |
| Roman | 3⅝" × 1⅝" × 11⅝" (92 × 41 × 295 mm) |
4" × 2" × 12" (102 × 51 × 305 mm) |
4.7 lbs (2.1 kg) | 6 bricks |
| Utility | 3⅝" × 3⅝" × 11⅝" (92 × 92 × 295 mm) |
4" × 4" × 12" (102 × 102 × 305 mm) |
10.2 lbs (4.6 kg) | 3 bricks |
| Brick Type | Actual Dimensions (mm) | Work Size (with mortar) | Weight | Bricks per m² |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK Standard | 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm (8.46" × 4.04" × 2.56") |
225 × 112.5 × 75 mm (includes 10mm mortar) |
3.1 kg (6.8 lbs) | 60 bricks |
| Metric Modular | 190 × 90 × 57 mm (7.48" × 3.54" × 2.24") |
200 × 100 × 65 mm (includes 10mm mortar) |
2.6 kg (5.7 lbs) | 75 bricks |
| European Format | 240 × 115 × 71 mm (9.45" × 4.53" × 2.80") |
250 × 125 × 80 mm | 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs) | 50 bricks |
| German NF (Normal Format) | 240 × 115 × 71 mm (9.45" × 4.53" × 2.80") |
250 × 125 × 80 mm | 2.1 kg (4.6 lbs) | 50 bricks |
| German DF (Thin Format) | 240 × 115 × 52 mm (9.45" × 4.53" × 2.05") |
250 × 125 × 60 mm | 1.6 kg (3.5 lbs) | 68 bricks |
| Brick Type | Actual Dimensions | Use Case | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian | 3⅝" × 3⅝" × 15⅝" (92 × 92 × 397 mm) |
Tall narrow walls, decorative columns | 13.5 lbs (6.1 kg) |
| Norwegian | 3⅝" × 2¼" × 11⅝" (92 × 57 × 295 mm) |
Thin wall construction, veneer | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) |
| Economy | 3⅝" × 3⅝" × 7⅝" (92 × 92 × 194 mm) |
Tall walls, reduced quantity | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) |
| Jumbo Modular | 3⅝" × 2¾" × 7⅝" (92 × 70 × 194 mm) |
Faster construction, commercial | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Triple | 5½" × 2¾" × 7⅝" (140 × 70 × 194 mm) |
Large masonry walls, one brick = 3 standard | 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) |
| Fire Brick | 9" × 4½" × 2½" (229 × 114 × 64 mm) |
Fireplaces, kilns, high-temperature applications | 8 lbs (3.6 kg) |
| Paving Brick | 4" × 8" × 2¼" (102 × 203 × 57 mm) |
Driveways, patios, walkways | 5 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Thin Veneer Brick | ½"-1" × 2¼" × 7⅝" (13-25 × 57 × 194 mm) |
Interior/exterior facing, non-structural | 1.2 lbs (0.5 kg) |
Actual dimensions: The physical size of the brick itself as manufactured. Measured precisely with calipers or ruler. Example: Standard modular brick = 3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝". Nominal dimensions: Actual brick size PLUS one mortar joint (typically ⅜" or 10mm). Used for modular coordination and wall design calculations. Example: 3⅝" brick + ⅜" mortar = 4" nominal dimension. Why nominal matters: Allows architects to design in whole numbers (4", 8", 12" modules). Ensures bricks fit standard window/door openings without cutting. Simplifies quantity calculations.
US standard: ⅜ inch (9.5 mm) most common. ½ inch (12.7 mm) for rough masonry or larger bricks. UK/European standard: 10 mm (⅜ inch) horizontal and vertical joints. Thin joints: 3-6 mm for precision thin-joint mortar systems (modern construction). Importance: Consistent joint thickness critical for structural integrity, aesthetics, and modular coordination.
Length: The longest dimension (typically 7⅝"-12" in US, 190-240mm in Europe). Runs along the wall horizontally. Determines how many bricks per linear foot. Height (or Thickness): The shortest dimension (typically 2¼"-3⅝" in US, 52-71mm in Europe). Creates wall thickness when laid normally. Multiple wythes (layers) increase wall thickness. Width (or Depth): The middle dimension (typically 3⅝"-4" in US, 90-115mm in Europe). Determines wall depth when laid as stretcher (most common). Not visible in finished wall (inside the wall thickness).
Actual size: 3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝" (92 × 57 × 194 mm). Nominal size: 4" × 2⅔" × 8" (with ⅜" mortar joint). Weight: 4.5 lbs (2 kg) per brick. Coverage: 7 bricks per square foot of wall (single wythe). Advantages: True modular coordination (nominal 4×8 grid), fits standard construction modules, most widely available, economical. Applications: Residential construction, commercial buildings, general masonry work. Cost: $0.35-$0.90 per brick (varies by region and quality).
Actual size: 3⅝" × 2¼" × 8" (92 × 57 × 203 mm). Difference from Modular: Slightly longer (8" actual vs 7⅝"), breaks modular coordination but still common. Coverage: 6.5 bricks per square foot. Note: Often confused with "modular" since dimensions are close. Always verify actual dimensions when ordering.
Actual size: 3⅛" × 2¾" × 7⅝" (79 × 70 × 194 mm). Characteristics: Taller height (2¾" vs standard 2¼"), same length as modular. Coverage: 5 bricks per square foot (fewer bricks needed = faster installation). Advantages: Larger face area, fewer mortar joints (cleaner look), faster construction. Applications: Commercial buildings, modern residential, decorative facades. Cost: $0.50-$1.10 per brick (premium over modular).
Actual size: 3⅛" × 2¾" × 9⅝" (79 × 70 × 244 mm). Characteristics: Longer and taller than modular (largest common face brick). Coverage: 4.5 bricks per square foot. Advantages: Fastest installation (fewest bricks needed), bold appearance, large-scale projects. Disadvantages: Heavy (6.5 lbs), limited availability, more expensive. Applications: Large commercial buildings, modern architecture, feature walls.
Actual size: 3⅝" × 2¼" × 11⅝" (92 × 57 × 295 mm). Characteristics: Extra long (11⅝" vs standard 7⅝"), same height as modular. Coverage: 4.5 bricks per square foot. Advantages: Horizontal emphasis (makes buildings appear wider), fewer vertical joints. Applications: Mid-century modern architecture, commercial buildings, horizontal design aesthetics. Appearance: Creates strong horizontal lines, popular 1950s-1970s.
Actual size: 3⅝" × 1⅝" × 11⅝" (92 × 41 × 295 mm). Characteristics: Long and very thin (1⅝" height = thinnest common brick). Coverage: 6 bricks per square foot (more joints despite longer length). Advantages: Elegant thin profile, strong horizontal lines, distinctive appearance. Applications: High-end residential, contemporary architecture, interior accent walls. Cost: $1.00-$2.00 per brick (premium specialty brick).
Actual size: 3⅝" × 3⅝" × 11⅝" (92 × 92 × 295 mm). Characteristics: Oversized (one utility = two modular bricks vertically). Weight: 10.2 lbs (heavy, requires two-hand placement). Coverage: 3 bricks per square foot (fastest installation). Applications: Industrial buildings, backing wythes (non-visible), economical large structures. Advantage: Reduce labor costs (fewer bricks to lay).
Actual size: 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm (8.46" × 4.04" × 2.56"). Work size (with mortar): 225 × 112.5 × 75 mm (includes 10mm mortar joints). Weight: 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs). Coverage: 60 bricks per square meter of wall. Standard in: United Kingdom, Ireland, former British colonies. Compatibility: Not directly compatible with US modular system (different size and proportions).
Actual size: 190 × 90 × 57 mm (7.48" × 3.54" × 2.24"). Work size: 200 × 100 × 65 mm (10mm mortar). Modular coordination: Designed for 100mm (10cm) grid system. Advantages: True metric modular design, widely available in Europe, compatible with metric construction standards.
Actual size: 240 × 115 × 71 mm (9.45" × 4.53" × 2.80"). Standard in: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands. Weight: 2.1 kg (perforated/hollow format reduces weight). Note: European bricks often hollow or perforated (versus solid US bricks) to reduce weight and improve insulation.
Single-wythe wall: Calculate wall area (length × height), multiply by bricks per SF or m², add 5-10% waste. Example: 10 ft × 8 ft wall = 80 SF. 80 SF × 7 bricks/SF × 1.08 (waste) = 605 bricks. Multiple wythes: Double-wythe (two layers) = 2× bricks. Cavity wall (two wythes with air gap) = 2× bricks + wall ties. Subtract openings: Calculate window/door area and subtract from total wall area before calculating bricks.
Composition: Natural clay fired at 1800-2200°F (982-1204°C). Types: Facing brick (smooth finish, color variety), common brick (rough finish, structural use), engineering brick (dense, high strength). Advantages: Durable (100+ year lifespan), excellent fire resistance, wide color variety, recyclable, low maintenance. Disadvantages: Heavy, higher cost than concrete block, requires skilled installation. Compressive strength: 3,000-10,000+ psi depending on type. Water absorption: 5-20% (lower = better freeze-thaw resistance).
Composition: Portland cement, aggregates, water (not fired, cured at ambient temperature). Dimensions: Same as clay brick sizes (modular, standard, etc.). Advantages: Lower cost than clay ($0.25-$0.60 per brick), consistent color and size, good compressive strength (3,000-4,000 psi), can be made on-site. Disadvantages: Less durable than clay (50-75 year lifespan), lower fire resistance, higher water absorption (requires sealing). Applications: Interior walls, budget projects, landscaping.
Composition: Sand, lime, water pressed and autoclaved. Appearance: Smooth surface, uniform light gray or white color. Advantages: Excellent compressive strength (up to 10,000 psi), precise dimensions, fire resistant, sound insulation. Disadvantages: High water absorption (not suitable for wet applications), limited color options. Common in: Germany, UK, Australia (less common in US).
Characteristics: Dense clay bricks with low water absorption and high strength. Classes (UK): Class A (4,500 psi strength, <4.5% water absorption), Class B (7,250 psi strength, <7% water absorption). Applications: Underground construction (sewers, manholes), foundations, damp-proof courses, load-bearing structures. Appearance: Smooth, dark color (blue-gray), functional not decorative. Cost: $1.00-$2.00 per brick (premium over standard facing brick).
Pattern: Each brick offset by ½ brick length from row above. Most common: 90% of modern brick walls use running bond. Brick orientation: All bricks laid as stretchers (long side visible). Advantages: Simple to lay, economical (minimal waste), strong for single-wythe walls. Quantity calculation: Standard formula (no special adjustments needed).
Pattern: Alternating headers (short end visible) and stretchers in each course. Brick count: Requires 20% more bricks than running bond (headers use full brick but only show short face). Applications: Traditional construction, high-end residential, historic buildings. Structural advantage: Headers tie multiple wythes together.
Pattern: Alternating courses of all headers and all stretchers. Brick count: Requires 15% more bricks than running bond. Strongest bond: Excellent structural strength for thick walls. Applications: Historic buildings, structural masonry, foundations.
Pattern: Bricks aligned vertically and horizontally (no offset). Appearance: Modern, grid-like aesthetic. Structural note: Weak structurally (requires reinforcement like wall ties or rebar in joints). Applications: Veneer walls (non-structural), interior accent walls, modern architecture. Brick count: Standard calculation applies.
Standard: Modular brick (3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝") dominates residential and commercial. Regional preferences: Northeast: Traditional red clay brick. Southeast: Red and tan clay brick. Midwest: Variety of clay and concrete. Southwest: Earth-tone stucco over brick (climate consideration). West Coast: Earthquake considerations (reinforced masonry).
Standard: 215 × 102.5 × 65 mm brick universal across UK. Historical note: UK brick tax (1784-1850) incentivized larger bricks (tax per brick, not size). Modern standard established: 1965 (BS 3921 British Standard for bricks). Appearance: Predominantly red/orange clay bricks, some yellow "London stock" bricks.
Standard: 230 × 110 × 76 mm (similar to UK but slightly larger). Work size: 240 × 120 × 86 mm (10mm joints). Unique feature: "Dry pressed" bricks common (machine-pressed, precise dimensions, low water absorption). Climate consideration: High fire resistance required (bushfire zones).
Standard: 190 × 90 × 90 mm (square height and width, unusual proportion). Alternate: 230 × 110 × 70 mm (more rectangular). Characteristics: Hand-molded common (inconsistent dimensions), lower strength than Western bricks. Applications: Load-bearing walls require cement rendering for weather protection.
Cube/pallet: Standard delivery unit. Modular brick: 500-534 bricks per cube (varies by manufacturer). Weight per cube: 2,200-2,700 lbs (1,000-1,225 kg) for clay bricks. Banded loads: Steel or plastic banding secures bricks. Delivery considerations: Forklift or boom truck required to unload. Pallets placed near work area (minimize manual carrying).
Sample first: Order sample bricks (5-10) to verify color, size, texture before bulk purchase. Single lot: Specify all bricks from single production run (consistent color batch). Color variance: Clay brick color varies by kiln load—expect 10-15% color variation. Extra quantity: Order extra cube for future repairs (discontinued colors/sizes common). Lead time: Custom colors: 8-12 weeks. Standard colors: 1-4 weeks. In-stock: Immediate.
Standard modular (red clay): $0.35-$0.90 per brick ($175-$450 per cube of 500). Premium colored clay: $0.60-$1.50 per brick. Thin veneer brick: $1.00-$3.00 per brick. Concrete brick: $0.25-$0.60 per brick. Reclaimed/salvage brick: $1.00-$4.00 per brick (historic restoration). Delivery: $150-$400 depending on distance and quantity.
Type N: General purpose, 750 psi strength, above-grade walls. Most common for residential. Type S: High strength, 1,800 psi, below-grade, structural walls, high lateral load. Type M: Highest strength, 2,500 psi, heavy loads, below-grade in soil. Retaining walls, foundations. Type O: Low strength, 350 psi, interior non-load-bearing, repointing historic masonry. Matching to brick: Mortar should be WEAKER than brick (mortar joints sacrifice to protect bricks during settling/movement).
Tools: Brick hammer and chisel (traditional, rough cuts), angle grinder with masonry blade (precise cuts, dusty), wet tile saw with diamond blade (cleanest cuts, minimal dust), brick splitter (guillotine-style, fast repetitive cuts). Safety: Wear safety glasses, dust mask/respirator, hearing protection. Silica dust hazardous (use water or dust extraction). Applications: Corners, openings (windows/doors), pattern work, non-standard dimensions.
Cold weather (below 40°F/4°C): Heat mortar and water, protect fresh work with insulated blankets for 48 hours, avoid freezing (destroys bond). Hot weather (above 90°F/32°C): Wet bricks before laying (prevents mortar water absorption), shade work area, mist finished work to slow curing. Rain: Cover fresh work immediately (rain washes out mortar joints within 24 hours). Ideal conditions: 50-80°F (10-27°C), low wind, overcast skies.
Answer: Actual size is the physical brick dimensions (e.g., 3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝"). Nominal size includes one mortar joint (typically ⅜"), resulting in round numbers for modular coordination (e.g., 4" × 2⅔" × 8"). Always order using ACTUAL dimensions. Design wall layouts using NOMINAL dimensions.
Answer: Calculate wall area (length × height in square feet or square meters), multiply by bricks per unit area (7 per SF for US modular, 60 per m² for UK standard), add 8-10% waste. Subtract window/door openings. Round up to nearest full pallet (typically 500 bricks). Always order extra for future repairs.
No, not recommended. US modular (3⅝" × 2¼" × 7⅝") and UK standard (215 × 102.5 × 65 mm) have different proportions and don't align in coursing (horizontal rows). Mixing creates uneven joints and poor appearance. Choose one system and maintain it throughout project.
Answer: Engineering bricks (UK Class B: 7,250 psi compressive strength). In US, extruded clay bricks can exceed 10,000 psi. Concrete bricks typically 3,000-4,000 psi. For most residential work, standard facing brick (3,500-5,500 psi) provides adequate strength. Structural requirements determine necessary strength.
Single wythe: 3⅝"-4" (one brick width) plus finish (stucco, siding). Double wythe: 8"-9" (two brick widths + mortar cavity). Cavity wall: 10"-12" (two wythes with 2-4" insulated air gap). Veneer: 3⅝"-4" brick attached to wood/steel frame (most common modern construction).
Answer: Different sizes serve different purposes: Modular: Economical general construction. Queen/King: Faster installation, modern aesthetics. Norman/Roman: Horizontal architectural emphasis. Utility: Economical for large structures. Regional history and standards also created variations (UK vs US sizing developed independently).