Mortar Calculator (80-lb & 60-lb Bags for Brick, Block & Stone)
Calculate the exact number of 80-lb or 60-lb pre-mixed mortar bags, bulk Portland cement/lime bags, and masonry sand needed for brick or CMU block walls.
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How to Use the Mortar Calculator (80-lb & 60-lb Bags for Brick, Block & Stone)
Estimating masonry mortar accurately saves expensive mid-project delivery delays. Under standard bricklaying specifications with a 3/8-inch bed and head joint, one 80-pound bag of pre-mixed mortar yields approximately 0.60 cubic feet of wet mortar—enough to lay 35 to 37 standard modular bricks (requiring roughly 28 to 30 bags per 1,000 bricks) or 12 to 13 standard 8×8×16 concrete blocks.
Formula and Calculation Methodology
- R_yield (Brick): ~28.5 bags of 80-lb mortar per 1,000 modular bricks (approx. 35–37 bricks per bag)
- R_yield (CMU Block): ~85 bags of 80-lb mortar per 1,000 standard 8x8x16 blocks (approx. 12–13 blocks per bag)
- 0.60 ft³: Wet yield in cubic feet of a single 80-lb bag of pre-mixed mortar
For projects requiring more than 30 bags, masons typically switch from pre-blended sand-mix bags to bulk mixing: combining one 70-pound bag of Type N or Type S Masonry Cement with 2.5 to 3.0 cubic feet (approx. 225–270 lbs, or 18–20 shovelfuls) of clean, sharp ASTM C144 masonry sand in a power drum mixer.
ASTM C270 Mortar Type Selection & Coverage Guide
| Mortar Type | Min Compressive Strength | 80-lb Bag Coverage | Recommended Masonry Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type N | 750 PSI | 35–37 Bricks / 12–13 Blocks | Above-grade exterior brick veneer & interior walls |
| Type S | 1,800 PSI | 35–37 Bricks / 12–13 Blocks | Below-grade foundations, retaining walls, pavers |
| Type M | 2,500 PSI | 35–37 Bricks / 12–13 Blocks | Heavy load-bearing footings, driveways, stone |
| Type O | 350 PSI | 35–37 Bricks | Historic tuckpointing & low-stress interior repair |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many 80-lb bags of mortar do I need per 1,000 bricks?
With standard 3/8-inch mortar joints and a 10% waste allowance for droppings, plan on 30 to 31 bags of 80-lb pre-mixed mortar per 1,000 modular bricks.
How many 8-inch concrete blocks will one 80-lb bag of mortar lay?
One 80-pound bag of mortar lays approximately 12 to 13 standard 8×8×16 CMU blocks (face-shell bedding). For 100 blocks, order 8 to 9 bags.
Should I use Type N or Type S mortar?
Use Type N mortar for general above-grade brick veneer and non-structural walls where flexibility prevents cracking. Use higher-strength Type S mortar for below-grade foundation walls, retaining walls, and freestanding masonry piers.
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