Masonry Calculator — Estimate CMU Block, Mortar & Wall Materials

Masonry Calculator — Estimate CMU Block, Mortar & Wall Materials

Calculate number of concrete masonry unit (CMU) blocks, mortar, and grout needed for block walls, foundations, and retaining walls.

🧱 Masonry Calculator

Wall Area (sq ft)
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CMU Blocks (+5%)
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Mortar Bags (60lb)
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💡 Pro Tip

Stack CMU blocks dry first to visualize the layout and minimize cut blocks. Running bond pattern (each row offset by half a block) is the strongest and most common pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many concrete blocks per square foot?

Standard 8×8×16 CMU block covers 0.889 square feet of wall face per block (with 3/8 inch mortar joint). You need approximately 1.125 blocks per square foot.

Q: Do CMU walls need to be filled with concrete?

For structural walls and columns, fill every core with grout and rebar. For non-load-bearing partition walls, filling every other core is acceptable per most building codes.

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