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Building Materials Calculator

Calculate the quantity of bricks, cement, sand, plaster, tiles, roofing, and concrete needed for construction and renovation projects.

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A building materials calculator for home renovation and construction. Calculate brick, cement, sand, plaster, tile, roofing, and concrete requirements with standard formulas and common construction practices.

Five tabs: wall bricks (red bricks 70/sqm, lightweight blocks 8/sqm, hollow blocks 12.5/sqm with mortar 1:5), plaster and finish (cement, sand, finish coat), floor tiles (box count 30x30 to 80x80, cement, sand, grouting), roof tiles (roof area with slope, tile count for 4 types, battens and rafters), and concrete (sloof, columns, 12cm floor slab + reinforcing steel).

Disclaimer: Estimates are based on standard construction practices for residential buildings. Consult an architect or experienced builder for detailed calculations based on your structural design, soil conditions, and material quality.

Calculate bricks, cement, sand, tiles, roofing, and rebar for your house construction or renovation plan. Select the tab for the building element you want to estimate.

Calculate bricks, cement, and sand needed for wall construction based on length, height, and brick type.

Estimates are based on Indonesian SNI standards and common residential construction practices. Actual needs may vary depending on structural design, soil conditions, and material quality. Consult an architect or experienced builder for detailed calculations.

Calculator information

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose the tab that matches your work: Brick Walls, Plaster, Floor Tiles, Roof, or Concrete.
  2. For Brick Walls, pick the brick type (standard modular brick about 7 per sq ft of wall, CMU block 1.125 per sq ft, concrete brick), enter the wall length and height, and select a mortar mix to compute cement and sand needs.
  3. For Plaster, enter the wall area to be plastered (interior and exterior), default thickness of 5/8 inch, and the mortar ratio (1:4 or 1:5); the output shows bags of cement, cubic yards of sand, and pounds of finish coat.
  4. Floor Tiles tab: choose tile size (12x12, 16x16, 18x18, 24x24, 32x32 in), enter the room area, and the calculator returns cartons needed, thinset mortar, and grout.
  5. Roof tab: enter the footprint area and pitch (in degrees or x-in-12) to compute true roof area, then choose the material (asphalt shingles, concrete tile, metal panel) for an estimated bundle/sheet count and framing lumber.
  6. Concrete tab: select the structural element (footing, column, 4-inch slab), enter the volume in cubic yards; the calculator returns cement, sand, gravel, and rebar quantities (#3 to #5).

Standard Construction Material Quantities (US Practice)

Modular bricks per sq ft of wall = approximately 7; CMU 8x8x16 per sq ft = 1.125; standard concrete mix per cubic yard = 6 bags cement (94 lb) + 0.5 cy sand + 0.75 cy gravel; Roof area = Footprint / cos(pitch angle)
  • Roof pitch in degrees (typical 25-35 degrees for asphalt shingles, 4:12 to 12:12 in rise-over-run terms)
  • Cement bag = 94 lb (US Portland Type I/II standard)
  • Rebar: a 4-inch slab with #4 bars at 16 inches on center each way uses about 0.4 lb per sq ft; columns roughly 8-12 lb per cubic foot
  • Waste factor: add 5 to 10 percent on every quantity to account for breakage, offcuts, and mistakes

Reference standards: ACI 318 (Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete), ASTM C90 (Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units), and applicable IRC/IBC chapters for residential construction. Local building codes may impose stricter requirements.

Worked example: Example: Bedroom 13 ft x 10 ft, 10 ft ceiling with modular brick walls

Given:
  • Bedroom 13 ft x 10 ft with 10 ft ceiling, all four walls
  • Total wall length: 2 x (13 + 10) = 46 ft
  • Effective height after openings: 9.5 ft (deduct about 50 sq ft for door and windows)
  • Modular brick with 3/8 inch mortar joint, plaster both sides
Steps:
  1. Net wall area: (46 x 10) - 50 = 410 sq ft.
  2. Brick count: 410 x 7 = 2,870 bricks + 10% waste = 3,157 (round up to 3,200).
  3. Mortar volume for laying: 410 sq ft x 0.012 cy/sq ft = approximately 5 cubic feet.
  4. Cement: 410 x 0.13 lb/sq ft = 53 lb, roughly one 94 lb bag; sand: about 5 cubic feet.
  5. Plaster both sides: 2 x 410 = 820 sq ft, cement plaster needs about 1.3 lb per sq ft = 1,066 lb = 11 to 12 bags, sand about 18 cubic feet.
  6. Total cement: 1 (mortar) + 12 (plaster) = 13 bags 94 lb; total sand: about 23 cubic feet, or roughly 1 cubic yard (typically delivered by the yard).

Result: Approximately 3,200 modular bricks, 13 bags of 94 lb Portland cement, 1 cubic yard of sand, plus finish coat material for the 820 sq ft plaster area.

Frequently asked questions

Is brick or CMU more economical?
Concrete masonry units (CMU) are typically more economical for larger walls in the long run despite higher per-unit cost. CMU uses about 1.125 blocks per sq ft compared to 7 modular bricks per sq ft, masonry crews lay CMU 30 percent faster because of the larger unit size, mortar usage drops by roughly 60 percent, and thinner finish coats are needed. Standard clay brick wins on aesthetics, durability, and small projects where speed is not critical. For homes over 1,500 sq ft, total CMU cost is often 10 to 20 percent lower than equivalent brick.
What is the difference between 3000 psi, 4000 psi, and 5000 psi concrete?
The number refers to the 28-day compressive strength in pounds per square inch (psi). 3000 psi is common for residential footings, slabs, and short-span walls. 4000 psi is used for driveways, garage floors, and heavier residential applications. 5000 psi and higher is reserved for commercial structures and multi-story buildings. ACI 318 specifies minimum strengths for different applications; always verify with your local building official.
How do I calculate true roof area from the footprint?
A roof with a 30 degree pitch has a true area of Footprint / cos(30) = Footprint / 0.866 = Footprint x 1.155. So a 400 sq ft footprint becomes about 462 sq ft of roof. A 45 degree pitch gives a factor of 1.414. In US construction, pitch is often expressed as rise over 12 inches of run: 6:12 equals 26.6 degrees, 9:12 equals 36.9 degrees. Add 5 to 10 percent for overlaps and waste. Most asphalt shingle manufacturers require a minimum 2:12 pitch.
How do I calculate rebar for a slab?
A 4-inch residential slab with normal occupancy loads typically uses #3 or #4 rebar at 16 inches on center each way, or 6x6 W2.9xW2.9 welded wire mesh. With #4 bars at 16 inch spacing each way you need roughly 0.4 lb of steel per sq ft. For a 400 sq ft slab that is 160 lb, equivalent to about 8 lengths of 20 ft #4 rebar (a 20 ft #4 bar weighs about 13.4 lb). Add 10 to 15 percent for overlaps and waste. Footings and grade beams typically use #4 or #5 longitudinal bars with #3 stirrups.
How many tiles per carton and what waste factor should I plan?
Coverage per carton varies by manufacturer. Typical examples: 12x12 inch tile - 12 pieces per carton, 12 sq ft coverage. 18x18 inch tile - 6 pieces per carton, 13.5 sq ft. 24x24 inch tile - 4 pieces per carton, 16 sq ft. Always order 10 percent extra for cuts at corners and breakage during installation - 15 percent if using a diagonal pattern. Make sure all cartons share the same lot or batch number to avoid color variation.

Last updated: May 11, 2026

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