Standard Brick Dimensions

A brick is a small four-sided block commonly made of burnt or sun-dried clay and used in the construction of walls, roadways, and other features in masonry construction.

Bricks are made by mixing clay with water, sand, lime and bearing soil or other concrete materials and then firing the mixture into the brick making process. This involves molding the brick in the desired shape, as well as the drying and burning of the brick.

While the shape of a brick is important, brick dimensions are more important since bricks are used in many types of construction – each of which demands specific size of brick.

Brick dimensions – (specified as length x depth x height)

Different countries make brick in different sizes for different uses:

An exact standard size brick does not exist since the dimensions of bricks vary with time and place. For example, the standard size brick in Australia (230 mm x 110 mm x 76mm) is totally different from the standard brick size in Kenya (225 mm x 110 mm x 75 mm).

Common brick dimensions

Blocks: With dimensions of 440 mm x (varies) x 215 mm, blocks are manufactured using concrete or cement and are often designed with a hollow core to make them lighter and to boost their insulation.

Modular bricks: With dimensions of 194 mm x 92 mm x 57 mm, modular bricks are commonly used for the construction of residential houses.

Queen bricks: With dimensions of 244 mm x 79 mm x 70 mm, queen bricks are slightly smaller and cheaper than modular bricks.

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Closure bricks: With dimensions of 194 mm x 92 mm x 92 mm, closure bricks are used to finish off construction of a wall, particularly at the corners.

Norwegian bricks: With dimensions of 295 mm x 92 mm x 71 mm, Norwegian bricks are often used for construction of load bearing walls.

Monarch bricks: With dimensions of 397 mm x 92 mm x 92 mm, Monarch bricks are enormous blocks that are mainly used for construction of long stretches of walls.    

Double Monarch bricks: With dimensions of 397 mm x 92 mm x 194 mm, Double Monarch bricks are a form of Monarch bricks used for construction of sturdier stretches of walls.

Norman bricks: With dimensions of 295 mm x 92 mm x 57 mm, Norman bricks are classical industrial bricks used for construction of buildings. They are available in red or white.

FAQs

What is the process of making bricks?

The process of making bricks usually involves preparing clay, molding, drying, and burning of the blocks to harden them. Unlike building stones, building bricks do not need any dressing.

What is the size of a standard size brick?

While there isn’t a truly standard brick, the size of a ‘standard brick’ is 190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm. With a 10 mm mortar joint thickness, this adds up 200 mm x 100 mm x 100 mm.

What is the standard brick size in the US?

The standard brick size in the United States is 203 mm × 92 mm × 57 mm as recommended by the American Society for Testing and Materials.

However, the commonly used modular brick is 194 mm × 92 mm × 57 mm.

What is the standard brick size in the UK?

The standard brick size in the United Kingdom is 215 mm × 102.5 mm × 65 mm.

What is the standard brick size in India?

The standard brick size in India is 190 mm x 90 mm x 90 mm as recommended by BIS.

What is the standard brick size in Kenya?

The standard brick dimensions in Kenya are 225 x 110 x 75 mm. With a 10 mm mortar joint thickness, the sizes add up 235 mm x 120 mm x 85 mm.

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