How many bricks are on a pallet?
A cube of standard modular face brick (3-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 7-5/8 in) typically holds about 500 bricks, weighs roughly 1,900–2,300 lb and lays about 73 sq ft of wall. Larger bricks come fewer to a cube: for example about 424 king or 300 Norman.
Face brick is sold by the cube, a banded stack that a boom truck or forklift can lift in one piece. The count per cube depends on the brick size and on the plant, and it is usually printed on the price list.
How many bricks are in a cube?
These figures are from one US manufacturer's published spec sheet (Interstate Brick). Other plants use similar but not identical counts; some ship modular brick at about 525 per cube.
| Brick (actual size, D × H × L) | Per cube | Weight each | Cube weight (est.) | Wall per cube |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1/4 in modular (3-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 7-5/8 in) | 500 | 3.8 lb (1.7 kg) | 1,900 lb (862 kg) | 73 sq ft |
| King (3 × 2-5/8 × 9-5/8 in) | 424 | 4.7 lb (2.1 kg) | 1,993 lb (904 kg) | 88 sq ft |
| 2-3/4 in modular (3-5/8 × 2-3/4 × 7-5/8 in) | 380 | 5.1 lb (2.3 kg) | 1,938 lb (879 kg) | 68 sq ft |
| 4 in modular (3-5/8 × 3-9/16 × 7-5/8 in) | 305 | 6.1 lb (2.8 kg) | 1,861 lb (844 kg) | 68 sq ft |
| 2-1/4 in Norman (3-5/8 × 2-1/4 × 11-5/8 in) | 300 | 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) | 1,650 lb (748 kg) | 67 sq ft |
Cube weight is count × unit weight and excludes any pallet or dunnage. Brick from other plants may be heavier per unit (a modular brick can be 4.5 lb or more), which puts a 500-brick cube at about 2,250 lb. Queen-size brick is commonly packed in the low 400s per cube. Use your supplier's cube count and unit weight for ordering and hauling.
How much does a pallet of bricks weigh?
Most cubes land between about 1,600 and 2,300 lb (725–1,045 kg). That is lighter than a cube of block or a pallet of concrete bags, but still more than many half-ton pickups are rated to carry. Check the payload on your door-jamb label. See how much a pallet weighs for the pallet's own weight when there is one.
Cube or pallet?
Many brick plants ship strapped cubes without a pallet. The bottom courses are set with gaps so forks or clamp trucks can pick the cube. Larger units (8 in brick, long formats) are more often shipped on a pallet. If you need a forklift-friendly load or will move it with a pallet jack, ask whether the product ships on a pallet.
What decides the count
- Brick size. Bigger bricks mean fewer per cube.
- Weight target and handling. Cubes are sized so a boom truck can set them safely at the job site.
- Coring. Cored bricks weigh less than solid ones of the same size.
- Plant practice. Two plants can package the same nominal size differently.
How to calculate what you need
- Find the wall area in square feet and subtract openings.
- Multiply by bricks per square foot (6.86 for modular, 4.80 for king, about 4.5 for Norman, all with 3/8 in joints).
- Add about 5% for cutting and breakage.
- Divide by the cube count and round up.
If you are building your own unit loads of brick or pavers, the cases per pallet calculator gives the layer pattern for a unit size and pallet footprint.
Pallet and cube deposits
Where brick ships on pallets, a refundable pallet deposit is common at masonry yards. Some suppliers also charge for heavy-duty dunnage. Terms vary, so ask when you order.
For pallet specifications in this sector, see building materials pallets.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks per square foot of wall?
About 6.86 modular bricks per square foot with 3/8 in mortar joints, 4.8 king bricks, or about 4.5 Norman bricks.
Are brick cubes on pallets?
Not always. Many plants ship strapped cubes with fork openings formed in the bottom courses and no pallet. Larger units are often shipped on pallets.
How much does one modular brick weigh?
Roughly 3.8–4.5 lb, depending on the plant, clay and coring. Solid and larger bricks weigh more.
Sources and references
Related
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- GuidesHow much does a pallet weigh? Weights by type, material and moistureA standard 48 × 40 wood stringer pallet weighs about 30 to 60 lb (14 to 27 kg). New green hardwood pallets sit at the top of that range and dry ones near the bottom. A EUR pallet weighs about 25 kg (55 lb), pooled 48 × 40 block pallets about 60 to 70 lb, and plastic pallets 14 to 70 lb depending on type.
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- CalculatorsCases per pallet (Ti-Hi)Cases per layer, layers, total cases, load height, gross weight and cube utilization for any case and pallet size, with the layer pattern.
More in Building and landscaping
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Last reviewed 2026-09-24. 620 words.