10B
REVISED
BRICK SIZES AND RELATED INFORMATION
Abstract: This Technical Notes provides information on brick sizes and nomenclature.
Standard nomenclature for the twelve most common brick sizes is given. The differences be-
tween nominal, specified and actual dimensions are explained. Vertical and horizontal cours-
ing tables for modular and non-modular sizes are provided.
Key Words: actual dimension, brick, nominal dimension, size, specified dimension,
standard nomenclature.
INTRODUCTION
Brick are available in many varied sizes and have
been called by many different names. This prolifera-
tion of sizes and names can be confusing for the de-
signer and specifier. The problem is further compound-
ed by the need to distinguish between nominal, speci-
fied and actual dimensions. Recent efforts led jointly
by the Brick Institute of America and the National As-
sociation of Brick Distributors have led to the develop-
ment of standard nomenclature for brick which repre-
sent roughly 90 percent of all sizes currently manufac-
tured.
This Technical Notes lists the sizes of brick units
generally available in the United States and presents the
standard nomenclature for brick sizes. The differences
between nominal, specified and actual dimensions are
explained. Guidance is given on the recommended or-
der in which brick dimensions should be listed. Verti-
cal and horizontal coursing tables are presented as an
aid to the reader. Other Technical Notes in this series
provide tables for estimating brick masonry and infor-
mation on modular brick masonry.
BRICK SIZES AND NOMENCLATURE
Brick sizes have varied over the centuries, but have
always been similar to present day sizes. The size of a
brick has historically been small enough to be held in
the hand, and most brick have remained small. Brick is
a building element with a human scale. The use of
small scale elements, such as brick, tends to break
down massive expanses of wall into visually pleasing
parts. Furthermore, the use of oversized units alters the
scale of the masonry unit in relation to the wall. Be-
cause people have a perceived size of brick, the use of
oversize units makes the wall appear smaller.
June
1993
Over time new sizes have been developed to meet
specific design, production or construction needs. New
types of construction have required new sizes, such as
hollow units for reinforced masonry and larger units for
increased economy. Hollow units have varying coring
patterns but typically are larger than standard or modu-
lar size and have larger cells to allow placement of ver-
tical reinforcement. Units with larger face dimensions
allow the bricklayer to lay more square foot of wall per
day. Such units, compared to standard or modular size
units, may increase the number of brick laid per day by
over 50 percent. However, as units get larger and heav-
ier, a point of diminishing return exists. Also, units
with larger heights make filling the head joint with
mortar more difficult.
Until now, a given brick size may have been known
Brick Institute of America
by several names due to regional variations. A joint
committee of the Brick Institute of America and the
National Association of Brick Distributors recently de-
veloped standard nomenclature for brick which repre-
sent roughly 90 percent of all sizes currently manufac-
tured. The standard nomenclature for brick sizes is pre- June 1993
sented in Table 1. These terms were developed by a
consensus process involving companies across the
country. The use of these standard terms when describ-
ing brick is strongly recommended.
Table 2 lists other brick sizes that are produced by a
limited number of manufacturers. Since clay is such a
flexible medium, manufacturers can make many differ-
4d
ent sizes. Also, modular and non-modular sizes are il-
lustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, respectively. The coring pat-
terns shown in these figures are for illustrative purposes
BRICK
MASONRY
only. Manufacturers incorporate cores and cells in sol-
id and hollow brick in many different sizes and pat-
terns. The brick manufacturer should be consulted for
information on sizes and coring patterns.
 TABLE 1
Standard Nomenclature for Brick Sizes1

MODULAR BRICK SIZES

Nominal Dimensions, in. Joint Specified Dimensions3, in.

Unit Vertical
Thickness2,
Designation Coursing
w h l in. w h l

3
⁄8 35⁄8 21⁄4 75⁄8
Modular 4 22⁄3 8 3C = 8 in.
1
⁄2 31⁄2 21⁄4 71⁄2

Engineer
3
⁄8 35⁄8 23⁄4 75⁄8
4 31⁄5 8 5C = 16 in.
Modular 1
⁄2 31⁄2 213⁄16 71⁄2

Closure
3
⁄8 35⁄8 35⁄8 75⁄8
4 4 8 1C = 4 in.
Modular 1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
3 ⁄2
1
71⁄2
3
⁄8 35⁄8 15⁄8 115⁄8
Roman 4 2 12 2C = 4 in.
1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
1 ⁄2
1
111⁄2
3
⁄8 35⁄8 21⁄4 115⁄8
Norman 4 22⁄3 12 3C = 8 in.
1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
2 ⁄4
1
111⁄2
Engineer
3
⁄8 35⁄8 23⁄4 115⁄8
4 31⁄5 12 5C = 16 in.
Norman 1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
2 ⁄16
13
111⁄2
3
⁄8 35⁄8 35⁄8 115⁄8
Utility 4 4 12 1C = 4 in.
1
⁄2 31⁄2 31⁄2 111⁄2

NON-MODULAR BRICK SIZES

3
⁄8 35⁄8 21⁄4 8
Standard 3C = 8 in.
1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
2 ⁄4
1
8
Engineer
3
⁄8 35⁄8 23⁄4 8
5C = 16 in.
Standard 1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
213⁄16 8

Closure
3
⁄8 35⁄8 35⁄8 8
1C = 4 in.
Standard 1
⁄2 3 ⁄2
1
31⁄2 8
3 23⁄4 95⁄8
King ⁄8
3
5C = 16 in.
23⁄4 25⁄8 95⁄8

3 23⁄4 8
Queen
3
⁄8 5C = 16 in.
23⁄4 23⁄4 8
11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m
2Common joint sizes used with length and width dimensions. Joint thicknesses of bed joints vary based on vertical coursing and specified unit height.
3Specified dimensions may vary within this range from manufacturer to manufacturer.

BRICK DIMENSIONS given module. Such dimensions are known as nominal

Brick are identified by three dimensions: width,
height and length. Height and length are sometimes
called face dimensions for these are the dimensions
showing when the brick is laid as a stretcher. The
terms applied to brick positions as they are placed in a
wall are shown in Fig. 3. The shaded areas indicate the
surfaces of the brick that are exposed. Specifications
and purchase orders should list brick dimensions in the
standard order of width first, followed by height, then
length.
When specifying or designing with brick, it is im-
portant to understand the difference between nominal,
specified and actual dimensions. Nominal dimensions
are most often used by the architect in modular con-
struction. In modular construction, all dimensions of
the brick and other building elements are multiples of a
2
dimensions. For brick masonry the nominal dimension
is equal to the specified unit dimension plus the intend-
ed mortar joint thickness. The intended mortar joint
thickness is the thickness required so that the unit plus
joint thickness match the coursing module. In the inch-
pound system of measurement, nominal brick dimen-
sions are based on multiples (or fractions) of 4 in. In
the SI (metric) system, nominal brick dimensions are
based on multiples of 100 mm. For more information
on modular construction see Technical Notes 10A Re-
vised.
As the name implies, the specified dimension is the
anticipated manufactured dimension. It should be stat-
ed in project specifications and purchase orders. Speci-
fied dimensions are used by the structural engineer in
the rational design of brick masonry. In non-modular
construction, only the specified dimension should be
 22⁄3" 31⁄5" 4"

8" 8" 8"

4" 4"
4"
MODULAR ENGINEER MODULAR CLOSURE MODULAR

2" 22⁄3" 31⁄5" 4"

12" 12" 12" 12"

4" 4" 4" 4"
ROMAN NORMAN ENGINEER NORMAN UTILITY

8" 31⁄5"
6"

12"
8" 8" 6"
4" 4"

4"
4"
4"

16"
12"
12" 8" 8"
6"

Modular Brick Sizes

(Nominal Dimensions)
FIG. 1

21⁄4" 23⁄4" - 213⁄16" 35⁄8" - 31⁄2"

8"
35⁄8" - 31⁄2" 8" 8"
35⁄8" - 31⁄2" 35⁄8" - 31⁄2"

STANDARD ENGINEER STANDARD CLOSURE STANDARD

23⁄4" - 25⁄8"
23⁄4" 23⁄4" - 25⁄8"

95⁄8" 8" 85⁄8"

23⁄4" - 3" 23⁄4" - 3" 3"

KING SIZE QUEEN SIZE

Non-Modular Brick Sizes

(Specified Dimensions)
FIG. 2
3
 TABLE 2
Other Brick Sizes1

MODULAR BRICK SIZES

Nominal Dimensions, in. Joint Specified Dimensions3, in.

Vertical
Thickness2,
Coursing
w h l in. w h l

⁄8
3
35⁄8 55⁄8 75⁄8
4 6 8 2C = 12 in.
⁄2
1
31⁄2 51⁄2 71⁄2

⁄8
3
35⁄8 75⁄8 75⁄8
4 8 8 1C = 8 in.
⁄2
1
31⁄2 71⁄2 71⁄2
⁄8
3
55⁄8 23⁄4 115⁄8
6 31⁄5 12 5C = 16 in.
⁄2
1
5 ⁄2
1
2 ⁄16
13
111⁄2

⁄8
3
55⁄8 35⁄8 115⁄8
6 4 12 1C = 4 in.
⁄2
1
5 ⁄2
1
3 ⁄2 1
111⁄2
⁄8
3
75⁄8 35⁄8 115⁄8
8 4 12 1C = 4 in.
⁄2
1
7 ⁄2
1
3 ⁄2 1
111⁄2
⁄8
3
75⁄8 35⁄8 155⁄8
8 4 16 1C = 4 in.
⁄2
1
7 ⁄2
1
3 ⁄2 1
151⁄2
NON-MODULAR BRICK SIZES

3 23⁄4 85⁄8
3
⁄8 5C = 16 in.
3 25⁄8 85⁄8
11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m
2Common joint sizes used with length and width dimensions. Joint thicknesses of bed joints vary based on vertical coursing and specified unit height.
3Specified dimensions may vary within this range from manufacturer to manufacturer.

used. Tables 1 and 2 provide the specified and nominal COURSING

dimensions, where applicable.
The actual dimension of a unit is the dimension as
manufactured. Actual dimensions may vary slightly
from a specified size. The actual dimensions of a brick
must fall within the range of sizes defined by the speci-
fied dimensions plus or minus the specified dimension-
al tolerances. Dimensional tolerances are found in the
ASTM standard specifications for brick, such as
ASTM C 216 Standard Specification for Facing Brick,
or may be specified in the project documents.
Although nominal dimensions are given only for
modular brick, it should be noted that the heights of
both modular and non-modular brick are the same.
This is because when modular sizes were first intro-
duced, brick manufacturers were faced with the prob-
lem of supplying matching brick to existing non-modu-
lar construction. From an appearance standpoint, most
designers required that the vertical coursing of modular
brick match the existing non-modular brick. Thus, all

STRETCHER
HEADER

SOLDIER SAILOR

ROWLOCK STRETCHER ROWLOCK

Brick Positions in a Wall

FIG. 3

4
 TABLE 3 brick are modular in height. The vertical coursing in-
Vertical Coursing 1,2 formation given in Tables 1 and 2 is a reflection of this
fact. Table 3 provides vertical dimensions based on
No. of Vertical Coursing of Unit the modular vertical coursing given in Tables 1 and 2.
Courses 2C = 4 in. 3C = 8 in. 5C = 16 in. 1C = 4 in. For example, units with heights which course vertical-
ly 2 courses to 4 in. (2C = 4 in.) such as Roman size,
1 0' - 2" 0' - 22⁄3" 0' - 31⁄5" 0' - 4" should use column 1 of Table 3. The dimensions given
2 0' - 4" 0' - 51⁄3" 0' - 62⁄5" 0' - 8" in Table 3 include typical mortar joints of 3⁄8 in. to 1⁄2 in.
3 0' - 6" 0' - 8" 0' - 93⁄5" 1' - 0"
4 0' - 8" 0' - 102⁄3" 1' - 04⁄5" 1' - 4" The actual mortar joint size can be determined from
5 0' - 10" 1' - 11⁄3" 1' - 4" 1' - 8" the vertical coursing information and the specified unit
6 1' - 0" 1' - 4" 1' - 71⁄5" 2' - 0" size. For example, when coursing out with a modular
7 1' - 2" 1' - 62⁄3" 1' - 102⁄5" 2' - 4" height unit, the mortar bed joint is slightly larger than
8 1' - 4" 1' - 91⁄3" 2' - 13⁄5" 2' - 8" 3
9 1' - 6" 2' - 0" 2' - 44⁄5" 3' - 0"
⁄8 in. and slightly less than 1⁄2 in., so that 3 courses of
10 1' - 8" 2' - 22⁄3" 2' - 8" 3' - 4" brick and mortar will equal the 8 in. module. For most
11 1' - 10" 2' - 51⁄3" 2' - 111⁄5" 3' - 8" brick sizes the mortar bed joint will not be exactly 3⁄8 in.
12 2' - 0" 2' - 8" 3' - 22⁄5 " 4' - 0" nor 1⁄2 in. Table 3 is applicable to both modular and
13 2' - 2" 2' - 102⁄3" 3' - 53⁄5" 4' - 4" non-modular brick. In this table, the brick are as-
14 2' - 4" 3' - 11⁄3" 3' - 84⁄5" 4' - 8"
15 2' - 6" 3' - 4" 4' - 0" 5' - 0" sumed to be positioned in the wall as stretchers or
headers.
16 2' - 8" 3' - 62⁄3" 4' - 31⁄5" 5' - 4"
17 2' - 10" 3' - 91⁄3" 4' - 62⁄5" 5' - 8" Horizontal coursing information is given in Table 4.
18 3' - 0" 4' - 0" 4' - 93⁄5" 6' - 0" The table includes coursing for both modular and non-
19 3' - 2" 4' - 22⁄3" 5' - 04⁄5" 6' - 4" modular brick.
20 3' - 4" 4' - 51⁄3" 5' - 4" 6' - 8"
Another useful tool for designers is the brick scale.
21 3' - 6" 4' - 8" 5' - 71⁄5" 7' - 0"
22 3' - 8" 4' - 102⁄3" 5' - 102⁄5" 7' - 4"
The brick scale is a coursing scale marked with multi-
23 3' - 10" 5' - 11⁄3" 6' - 13⁄5" 7' - 8" ples of common nominal brick sizes. They come in a
24 4' - 0" 5' - 4" 6' - 44⁄5" 8' - 0" set which matches the most common architectural
25 4' - 2" 5' - 62⁄3" 6' - 8" 8' - 4"
scales, 1⁄4 in. = 1 ft-0 in., 1⁄2 in. = 1 ft-0 in., etc. Many
26 4' - 4" 5' - 91⁄3" 6' - 111⁄5" 8' - 8" brick manufacturers, brick distributors and masonry
27 4' - 6" 6' - 0" 7' - 22⁄5" 9' - 0"
28 4' - 8" 6' - 22⁄3" 7' - 53⁄5" 9' - 4" promotional groups provide brick scales to designers.
29 4' - 10" 6' - 51⁄3" 7' - 84⁄5" 9' - 8"
30 5' - 0" 6' - 8" 8' - 0" 10' - 0" CONCLUSION
31 5' - 2" 6' - 102⁄3" 8' - 31⁄5" 10' - 4" This Technical Notes presents the standard nomen-
32 5' - 4" 7' - 11⁄3" 8' - 62⁄5" 10' - 8" clature for brick sizes. Information on brick sizes is
33 5' - 6" 7' - 4" 8' - 93⁄5" 11' - 0"
34 5' - 8" 7' - 62⁄3" 9' - 04⁄5" 11' - 4" given and the differences between nominal, specified
35 5' - 10" 7' - 91⁄3" 9' - 4" 11' - 8" and actual dimensions are explained. Coursing tables
36 6' - 0" 8' - 0" 9' - 71⁄5" 12' - 0" for both modular and non-modular brick are provided.
37 6' - 2" 8' - 22⁄3" 9' - 102⁄5" 12' - 4" The information and suggestions contained in this
38 6' - 4" 8' - 51⁄3" 10' - 13⁄5" 12' - 8"
39 6' - 6" 8' - 8" 10' - 44⁄5" 13' - 0"
Technical Notes are based on the available data and the
40 6' - 8" 8' - 102⁄3" 10' - 8" 13' - 4" experience of the engineering staff of the Brick Insti-
41 6' - 10" 9' - 11⁄3" 10' - 111⁄5" 13' - 8" tute of America. The information contained herein
42 7' - 0" 9' - 4" 11' - 22⁄5" 14' - 0" must be used in conjunction with good technical judg-
43 7' - 2" 9' - 62⁄3" 11' - 53⁄5" 14' - 4" ment and a basic understanding of the properties of
44 7' - 4" 9' - 91⁄3" 11' - 84⁄5" 14' - 8"
45 7' - 6" 10' - 0" 12' - 0" 15' - 0" brick masonry. Final decisions on the use of the infor-
mation contained in this Technical Notes are not within
46 7' - 8" 10' - 22⁄3" 12' - 31⁄5" 15' - 4"
47 7' - 10" 10' - 51⁄3" 12' - 62⁄5" 15' - 8" the purview of the Brick Institute of America and must
48 8' - 0" 10' - 8" 12' - 93⁄5" 16' - 0" rest with the project architect, engineer and owner.
49 8' - 2" 10' - 102⁄3" 13' - 04⁄5" 16' - 4"
50 8' - 4" 11' - 11⁄3" 13' - 4" 16' - 8"
100 16' - 8" 22' - 22⁄3" 26' - 8" 33' - 4"

11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m

2Brick positioned in wall as stretchers or headers.

5
 TABLE 4
Horizontal Coursing1

Unit Length
Number Nominal Dimensions, in. Specified Dimensions, in.
of
Units 8 85⁄8 95⁄8
8 12
1
⁄2 in. jt. 3
⁄8 in. jt. 3
⁄8 in. jt. 3
⁄8 in. jt.
1 0' - 8" 1' - 0" 0' - 81⁄2" 0' - 83⁄8" 0' - 9" 0' - 10"
2 1' - 4" 2' - 0" 1' - 5" 1' - 43⁄4" 1' - 6" 1' - 8"
3 2' - 0" 3' - 0" 2' - 11⁄2" 2' - 11⁄8" 2' - 3" 2' - 6"
4 2' - 8" 4' - 0" 2' - 10" 2' - 91⁄2" 3' - 0" 3' - 4"
5 3' - 4" 5' - 0" 3' - 61⁄2" 3' - 57⁄8" 3' - 9" 4' - 2"
6 4' - 0" 6' - 0" 4' - 3" 4' - 21⁄4" 4' - 6" 5' - 0"
7 4' - 8" 7' - 0" 4' - 111⁄2" 4' - 105⁄8" 5' - 3" 5' - 10"
8 5' - 4" 8' - 0" 5' - 8" 5' - 7" 6' - 0" 6' - 8"
9 6' - 0" 9' - 0" 6' - 41⁄2" 6' - 33⁄8" 6' - 9" 7' - 6"
10 6' - 8" 10' - 0" 7' - 1" 6' - 113⁄4" 7' - 6" 8' - 4"
11 7' - 4" 11' - 0" 7' - 91⁄2" 7' - 81⁄8" 8' - 3" 9' - 2"
12 8' - 0" 12' - 0" 8' - 6" 8' -41⁄2" 9' - 0" 10' - 0"
13 8' - 8" 13' - 0" 9' - 21⁄2" 9' - 07⁄8" 9' - 9" 10' - 10"
14 9' - 4" 14' - 0" 9' - 11" 9' - 91⁄4" 10' - 6" 11' - 8"
15 10' - 0" 15' - 0" 10' - 71⁄2" 10' - 55⁄8" 11' - 3" 12' - 6"
16 10' - 8" 16' - 0" 11' - 4" 11' - 2" 12' - 0" 13' - 4"
17 11' - 4" 17' - 0" 12' - 01⁄2" 11' - 103⁄8" 12' - 9" 14' - 2"
18 12' - 0" 18' - 0" 12' - 9" 12' - 63⁄4" 13' - 6" 15' - 0"
19 12' - 8" 19' - 0" 13' - 51⁄2" 13' - 31⁄8" 14' - 3" 15' - 10"
20 13' - 4" 20' - 0" 14' - 2" 13' - 111⁄2" 15' - 0" 16' - 8"
21 14' - 0" 21' - 0" 14' - 101⁄2" 14' - 77⁄8" 15' - 9" 17' - 6"
22 14' - 8" 22' - 0" 15' - 7" 15' - 41⁄4" 16' - 6" 18' - 4"
23 15' - 4" 23' - 0" 16' - 31⁄2" 16' - 05⁄8" 17' - 3" 19' - 2"
24 16' - 0" 24' - 0" 17' - 0" 16' - 9" 18' - 0" 20' - 0"
25 16' - 8" 25' - 0" 17' - 81⁄2" 17' - 53⁄8" 18' - 9" 20' - 10"
26 17' - 4" 26' - 0" 18' - 5" 18' - 13⁄4" 19' - 6" 21' - 8"
27 18' - 0" 27' - 0" 19' - 11⁄2" 18' - 101⁄8" 20' - 3" 22' - 6"
28 18' - 8" 28' - 0" 19' - 10" 19' - 61⁄2" 21' - 0" 23' - 4"
29 19' - 4" 29' - 0" 20' - 61⁄2" 20' - 27⁄8" 21' - 9" 24' - 2"
30 20' - 0" 30' - 0" 21' - 3" 20' - 111⁄4" 22' - 6" 25' - 0"
31 20' - 8" 31' - 0" 21' - 111⁄2" 21' - 75⁄8" 23' - 3" 25' - 10"
32 21' - 4" 32' - 0" 22' - 8" 22' - 4" 24' - 0" 26' - 8"
33 22' - 0" 33' - 0" 23' - 41⁄2" 23' - 03⁄8" 24' - 9" 27' - 6"
34 22' - 8" 34' - 0" 24' - 1" 23' - 83⁄4" 25' - 6" 28' - 4"
35 23' - 4" 35' - 0" 24' - 91⁄2" 24' - 51⁄8" 26' - 3" 29' - 2"
36 24' - 0" 36' - 0" 25' - 6" 25' - 11⁄2" 27' - 0" 30' - 0"
37 24' - 8" 37' - 0" 26' - 21⁄2" 25' - 97⁄8" 27' - 9" 30' - 10"
38 25' - 4" 38' - 0" 26' - 11" 26' - 61⁄4" 28' - 6" 31' - 8"
39 26' - 0" 39' - 0" 27' - 71⁄2" 27' - 25⁄8" 29' - 3" 32' - 6"
40 26' - 8" 40' - 0" 28' - 4" 27' - 11" 30' - 0" 33' - 4"
41 27' - 4" 41' - 0" 29' - 01⁄2" 28' - 73⁄8" 30' - 9" 34' - 2"
42 28' - 0" 42' - 0" 29' - 9" 29' - 33⁄4" 31' - 6" 35' - 0"
43 28' - 8" 43' - 0" 30' - 51⁄2" 30' - 01⁄8" 32' - 3" 35' - 10"
44 29' - 4" 44' - 0" 31' - 2" 30' - 81⁄2" 33' - 0" 36' - 8"
45 30' - 0" 45' - 0" 31' - 101⁄2" 31' - 47⁄8" 33' - 9" 37' - 6"
46 30' - 8" 46' - 0" 32' - 7" 32' - 11⁄4" 34' - 6" 38' - 4"
47 31' - 4" 47' - 0" 33' - 31⁄2" 32' - 95⁄8" 35' - 3" 39' - 2"
48 32' - 0" 48' - 0" 34' - 0" 33' - 6" 36' - 0" 40' - 0"
49 32' - 8" 49' - 0" 34' - 81⁄2" 34' - 23⁄8" 36' - 9" 40' - 10"
50 33' - 4" 50' - 0" 35' - 5" 34' - 103⁄4" 37' - 6" 41' - 8"
100 66' - 8" 100' - 0" 70' - 10" 69' - 91⁄2" 75' - 0" 83' - 4"

11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m

25MB.I.A. 7/93