How to Estimate Mortar for a Block Wall

Stopping in the middle of a project to get more supplies is frustrating--almost as frustrating as throwing away supplies because you mixed too much. A seasoned mason can look at a project and tell almost exactly how much mortar to purchase and mix. However, the rest of us need a little help. Estimating the correct amount of mortar isn't difficult and it will save you time and money in the long run.

Tape measure
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the length of the projected wall and estimate the planned height.
- 2
  Multiply the length by the height in feet. This will give you the area of the project in square feet. For example, a 26-foot wall that is 5 feet high would contain 130 square feet of surface.
- 3
  Calculate the ratio of mortar needed. According to builders and concrete suppliers, it takes about 3 cubic feet of mortar for every 100 feet of wall. This can be rendered mathematically as 0.03.
- 4
  Multiply the area of the wall by the ratio; in this example 130 x 0.03 = 3.9. So a wall 26 feet long and 5 feet tall would require almost 4 cubic feet of mortar.

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