Planning a DIY brick fire pit project starts with knowing exactly how many bricks you’ll need, which is where a fire pit brick calculator becomes essential.
However, estimating brick quantities can be tricky without proper calculations.
Our Fire Pit Brick Calculator takes the guesswork out of your project planning.
Simply enter your desired pit dimensions, wall height, and brick size to get accurate material estimates.
Additionally, the calculator helps you avoid costly trips back to the store and ensures you have enough materials to complete your project successfully.
While on the topic of building a fire pit, check out my posts, Choosing Bricks for a Fire Pit: A Complete Guide and my Fire Pit Project Cost Calculator!
Good luck and I hope you find the brick calculator useful and easy to use!
Fire Pit Brick Calculator
Calculate exactly how many bricks you’ll need for your DIY fire pit project. Simply enter your specifications below to get an accurate estimate.
Fire Pit Specifications
Round Fire Pit
Square Fire Pit
Your Results
Based on your specifications, you’ll need approximately:
Calculation Breakdown:
Need More Help?
For detailed guidance on fire pit construction, brick selection, and step-by-step instructions:
Read Our Complete Guide: How Many Fire Pit Bricks Do You Need? A DIY GuideHow This Calculator Works
Round Fire Pit Calculation:
For round fire pits, we calculate the circumference using the formula: π × diameter. We then determine how many bricks fit around each layer by dividing the circumference by the effective brick length (brick length + mortar joint thickness). The number of layers needed is calculated by dividing the desired height by the effective brick height (brick height + mortar joint thickness).
Square Fire Pit Calculation:
For square fire pits, we calculate the perimeter using: 4 × side length. Similar to round pits, we divide this by the effective brick length to get bricks per layer, then multiply by the number of layers needed for the desired height.
Waste Factor:
The waste factor accounts for:
- Broken bricks: Some bricks may break during transport or handling
- Cutting waste: Bricks that need to be cut to fit corners or curves
- Mistakes: Allowance for construction errors
- Future repairs: Extra bricks for potential maintenance
Important Considerations:
- This calculator estimates bricks for the fire pit wall only, not the base or cap
- Fire bricks are recommended for the interior surfaces exposed to high heat
- Standard bricks can be used for outer decorative layers
- Local building codes may require specific materials or construction methods
- Consider hiring a professional for gas line installation and structural design
