How do you measure brickwork from plans?

Brick quantities come off the elevations. Set the scale, trace each wall area in square metres, deduct the windows and doors, then apply your bricks per square metre. MetreMate totals the deducted area so your count is accurate without a scale ruler.

How many bricks do I need from a plan?

Measure the wall area from the elevations, deduct openings, then multiply by your bricks per square metre (around 50 for a standard single skin AU brick, double for cavity) and add wastage for cuts and breakage. MetreMate gives you the deducted wall area straight off the plan.

Can I work brick counts from elevations?

Yes. Trace each elevation on its own layer, deduct the openings, and MetreMate totals the wall area, so you convert to bricks or blocks per square metre for every face of the build.

How many blocks do I need from a plan?

Measure the wall area from the elevations, deduct openings, then multiply by your blocks per square metre, around 12.5 for a standard 390 by 190mm block, and add wastage. MetreMate gives you the deducted wall area, and you apply the units per square metre for the block size you are quoting.

How do I estimate mortar for brickwork from a plan?

Mortar follows the brick or block count, so base it on the deducted wall area MetreMate gives you. As a guide, allow roughly one cubic metre of mortar per thousand standard bricks, then adjust for joint thickness and whether the work is single skin or cavity.

How do I measure footing and bond beam runs from a plan?

Measure the wall runs in lineal metres with the measure tool for footings, lintels and bond beams, and keep them separate from the elevation area work. MetreMate totals the runs, so your reinforcement, lintel and core fill quantities come straight off the plan.

MetreMate for Brick & Masonry Suppliers

Brick and block counts from the elevations

Measure wall areas from elevations, deduct openings, and convert to brick or block counts straight from a PDF plan.

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No credit card needed. Free plan to start, works on Windows and Mac.

Under 90s to your first measurement

Why brick & masonry suppliers choose MetreMate

Brick and masonry suppliers use MetreMate to measure wall area off the elevations, then convert to brick or block counts. Set the scale, trace each wall area, deduct windows and doors, and apply your bricks per square metre (around 50 for standard AU brick, double for cavity work). Measure wall runs in lineal metres for footings and bond beams and count openings, so staff quote brick, block and mortar consistently with the right wastage.

See how MetreMate compares

Free calculators for your trade

Quick numbers before you open the plan. Every one shows its working.

Quote in minutes, not hours

Set the scale once and measure straight off the PDF. Your first measurement takes under 90 seconds, and it's free to start.

Try MetreMate, it's free

No credit card needed

The slow way, or the smart way

What changes when brick & masonry suppliers measure in MetreMate instead of off a printout.

Without MetreMate

Getting brick counts off elevations with openings deducted by hand
Complex facades that are slow and error prone with a scale ruler
Applying bricks per square metre and wastage inconsistently

With MetreMate

Area tool for wall area from elevations
Count for openings and piers
Measure for footing lineal metres
Layers per elevation
Pencil tool for freehand mark-ups, and to add your initials or signature by hand

500+

Tradies using MetreMate

50,000+

Measurements taken

90s

Average time to measure

Everything you can measure off the plan

Set the scale once, then pull the quantities brick & masonry suppliers actually quote on.

Lengths & lineal metres

Any distance, edge, or run measured straight off the plan.

Areas in m²

Trace rooms, slabs, and zones for instant square metres.

Perimeters

Boundary and edge runs totalled for you, no maths.

Counts

Tap to count fixtures, fittings, and symbols with live totals.

Step by step

How brick & masonry suppliers use MetreMate

1
Wall area from elevations
Trace each elevation wall area and deduct windows and doors.
2
Bricks and blocks
Apply your bricks per square metre and wastage to the deducted area.
3
Runs and openings
Measure wall runs for footings and count openings and piers.

Read our how-to guides