Calculated result
17bags
Mortar bags to order
Formula
MAS-MRT-001mortar ft³ = area ÷ 100 × 5.5; bags = ceil(mortar × (1 + waste) ÷ bag yield)
8.8 ft³
Net mortar volume
9.68 ft³
Volume including waste
0.6 ft³ / bag
Stated bag yield
Masonry calculator
Mortar bags
Type N/S mortar volume and bag count from net wall area using a published 5.5 ft³ per 100 ft² rule of thumb.
Reviewed formula · v1.0.0
Project inputs
Enter field measurements. Imperial lengths take feet and inches. Unit conversion happens before the reviewed formula is applied.
All values can be refined when you edit the estimate. This tool does not replace field verification or local requirements.
Transparent cost view
Planning rates only. Pick a currency — badges, inputs, and totals follow. Material is a rate. Labour is hours × a planning hourly rate. Equipment and delivery are this-job amounts.
Planning defaults are office figures, not a bid. US ready-mix in 2026 often lands around $125–165 per cubic yard delivered; place-and-finish commonly $2–4 per square foot. Replace every rate with a supplier or crew quote before you send the letter.
Indicative FX as of Aug 2026. Planning conversion, not a live bank rate.
Material costUSD 1,445
Labour (8 h)USD 280
Direct costUSD 1,835
Overhead + contingencyUSD 184
Markup + taxUSD 242
Estimated project totalUSD 2,261
How this calculator works
A transparent mortar bags takeoff.
This calculator converts net masonry face area into mortar volume using 5.5 ft³ per 100 ft², then rounds to whole bags.
Worked example. Example: 160 ft² of wall at 10% waste is 9.68 ft³ of mortar, which rounds to 17 of the 80 lb bags at a 0.60 ft³ yield.
- 1. Measure net face area after openings.
- 2. Pick the bag size you will actually buy.
- 3. Confirm joint thickness with the mason — it moves yield more than the bag label.
Need the broader workflow? Read the masonry planning guide.
How-to: How to count CMU and brick
Questions
Questions about mortar bags
Is this a mix design?
No. Type N versus S, sand grading and water are a mason and specification decision.
Why 5.5 ft³ per 100 ft²?
It is a common 3/8 in joint rule of thumb for modular brick and 8 in CMU bed joints. Change the result if the joint is thicker.
What is the formula ID?
This calculator publishes formula MAS-MRT-001, version 1.0.0. The ID stays on the result and on the estimate line.
Is this engineering advice?
No. Construclytic is a planning website, not a registered engineering or contracting firm. Field checks, codes and product data still sit with you.
Does Construclytic fetch live supplier prices?
No. Costs use the rate you enter. Construclytic does not fetch live supplier prices.