Herringbone Brick Pattern Calculator
Estimate the number of bricks needed for a herringbone pattern
Herringbone Brick Estimate
Bricks per Sq Ft (Herringbone) = (144 / ((Brick Length + Joint) × (Brick Width + Joint))) × 1.15 (approx. for pattern)
Total Bricks = Area × Bricks per Sq Ft × (1 + Waste Factor)
Planning to lay bricks in a classic herringbone pattern? Whether it's for a patio, walkway, driveway, or decorative wall, calculating the right number of bricks can be tricky due to the angled layout and extra cuts involved. Our Herringbone Brick Pattern Calculator helps you estimate exactly how many bricks you need based on your project dimensions and brick size.
What is a Herringbone Brick Pattern?
The herringbone pattern is a distinctive zigzag arrangement of rectangular bricks laid at 45 or 90-degree angles. It’s popular for its strength and eye-catching design. However, the angled placement means more bricks are needed compared to a straight brick layout, because of additional cuts and waste.
How to Calculate Bricks for Herringbone Pattern
The calculation involves:
- Measuring your surface area: Length × width of the area you plan to cover.
- Accounting for brick size: Include length and width of your bricks, as well as mortar joint thickness.
- Adjusting for pattern layout: Herringbone patterns generally require about 5-10% more bricks to cover waste from cutting and fitting.
Our calculator automates this process by combining your measurements with common brick sizes and pattern specifics to give an accurate brick count and estimate.
Features of Our Herringbone Brick Calculator
- Custom Area Input: Enter length and width of your project area in feet or meters.
- Brick Size Selection: Choose standard brick sizes or input custom dimensions.
- Mortar Joint Adjustment: Include your preferred mortar joint thickness for precise calculations.
- Waste Factor Included: Automatically accounts for extra bricks needed due to cuts and breakage (typically 5-10%).
- Instant Results: Get the number of bricks required along with material estimates right away.
Why Use a Herringbone Brick Pattern Calculator?
Estimating bricks manually for herringbone layouts can be complicated because the pattern involves angled placement and more cutting than standard running bond or stacked patterns. Overestimating leads to wasted materials and budget overruns, while underestimating can cause delays waiting for more bricks.
Our calculator removes the guesswork, making your project planning smoother and more cost-effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bricks are needed for a 100 square foot herringbone patio?
Depending on brick size and joint thickness, expect roughly 550 to 650 bricks, including 5-10% extra for cuts and waste.
Can I use this calculator for different brick sizes?
Yes, you can select from common brick sizes or enter custom dimensions for accurate estimates.
Does the mortar joint thickness affect the number of bricks?
Yes. Larger joints reduce the number of bricks needed slightly, while thinner joints increase brick count.
Is the waste factor adjustable?
The calculator includes a default waste factor of around 7%, but you can adjust it if your project requires more precise control.
Final Tips for Your Herringbone Brick Project
- Always buy extra bricks — around 10% more than your calculation — to cover breakage or design changes.
- Consider professional help for cutting bricks at precise angles to maintain pattern integrity.
- Check local supplier stock for brick sizes and colors that match your design vision.
Use our Herringbone Brick Pattern Calculator to get started on your project with confidence, knowing you have the right material estimates from the start.
