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HeizerDesk Concrete Block Calculator

Standard CMU covers 8 by 16 inches face, so a square foot of wall takes 1.125 blocks. Enter the wall and this returns block, mortar and core-fill volume. This is a free Concrete Block Calculator — no sign-up, and the arithmetic is written out below so you can check it.

Your numbers

Result

Blocks to order
378
blocks
Mortar bags~28 blocks per 80 lb bag
14bags
Courses high
12courses
Cores to grout
16cores
Grout volume
1.99cubic yards
Vertical rebar
128linear ft
Net wall area
320sq ft

How this is calculated

  • A nominal 8×16 in block face covers 0.888 sq ft, so a square foot of wall takes 1.125 blocks.
  • Courses = wall height in inches ÷ 8, since a block plus its joint is 8 in tall.
  • Grout ≈ 0.28 cubic feet per core per course for a standard 8 in block.

Before you order

  • Block count per square foot is the same for 4, 8 and 12 inch block — the face is identical, only the thickness changes. Weight, cost and grout volume are not the same.
  • Reinforcement spacing and which cores get filled are engineering decisions, especially for a retaining or load-bearing wall. This counts material, it does not design the wall.
  • Bond beams at the top and over openings need their own block and steel and are not included here.

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