Concrete · updated 2026
Mortar Mix Calculator — Bags for Brick & Block
Mortar coverage is published per bag by every manufacturer — a 60-lb bag of premix lays about 26 standard bricks or 9 standard blocks — so the whole estimate is one division problem. This mortar calculator takes your brick or block count and returns exact 60-lb bag counts plus the sand equivalent if you're site-mixing, with 2026 costs. Premix bags already contain sand; only read the sand line if you're batching your own 1:3 cement-to-sand mix.
Mortar waste from dropping and retempering; 5% is standard
Show the math
Raw bags = 500.0 ÷ 26 per 60-lb bag = 20 (rounded up — 26 bricks or 9 blocks per bag)
With 5% waste = 20 × 1.05 = 21 (rounded up)
Sand (site-mix only) = 21 × 0.34 cu ft/bag = 7.14 cu ft
Cost = 21 × $6–$8/bag
What the numbers mean
The calculator converts your measurements into a practical purchase quantity using a documented coverage or spacing assumption.
Any whole-unit quantity is rounded up so the result does not leave you short during the project.
Use the cost range as a planning baseline and confirm the final quantity, availability, and delivery charge with your local supplier.
2026 material prices
| Material | 2026 average price | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mortar mix, 60-lb bag | $6.00 – $8.00 / 60-lb bag | Lays ~26 bricks or ~9 blocks |
| Mortar mix, 80-lb bag | $7.00 – $9.00 / 80-lb bag | Lays ~37 bricks or ~13 blocks |
| Masonry sand, per cu ft | $4.00 – $6.00 / cu ft | Only needed for site-mixed mortar |
Material prices: Wave 1 Batch 2 2026 national-average guide, Sep 2026. Local prices vary. 2026 U.S. national averages. Prices vary by region and retailer — confirm locally before buying.
Pro tips
- Type N is the all-purpose choice; step up to Type S for below-grade, structural, or high-wind work.
- Mix to the consistency where a ½-in layer won't fall off a near-vertical trowel — soupy mortar makes weak joints.
- A 60-lb bag needs about 4 quarts of water; add it gradually, because you can't take water back out.
- Retemper (remix) within 2 hours; after that, discard it — re-wetted old mortar never reaches full strength.
- Tool joints when the mortar is thumbprint-hard; tooled too early it smears, too late it won't take a profile.
- Five hundred bricks need 21 sixty-lb bags — that's 1,260 lbs of mortar, so don't plan on carrying it all in one trip.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How much mortar for 500 bricks?
500 ÷ 26 = 19.2 → 20, plus 5% waste = 21 sixty-lb bags.
How much mortar for 100 concrete blocks?
100 ÷ 9 = 11.1 → 12, plus 5% waste = 13 sixty-lb bags.
How much does a 60-lb bag of mortar cost?
$6–$8 retail in 2026.
Type N vs Type S mortar?
Type N for general above-grade work; Type S (stronger) for below grade, foundations, and structural walls.
How much mortar for 1,000 bricks?
1,000 ÷ 26 = 38.5 → 39, plus 5% waste = 41 sixty-lb bags — about $246–$328.
Do I need to buy sand separately?
No, if you use premix — the sand is already blended in. Site-mixing 1 part Portland to 3 parts sand, 21 bags’ worth needs about 7.1 cu ft of sand.
Related calculators
Planning estimates only. Prices are 2026 U.S. national averages and vary by region — confirm with your local supplier before buying.