INTRODUCTION

Brick are available in many varied sizes and havebeen 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 jointlyby 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 unitsgenerally available in the United States and presents thestandard nomenclature for brick sizes. The differencesbetween nominal, specified and actual dimensions areexplained. Guidance is given on the recommended or-der in which brick dimensions should be listed. Verti-cal and horizontal coursing tables are presented as anaid to the reader. Other Technical Notes in this seriesprovide tables for estimating brick masonry and infor-mation on modular brick masonry.

BRICK SIZES AND NOMENCLATURE

Brick sizes have varied over the centuries, but havealways been similar to present day sizes. The size of abrick has historically been small enough to be held inthe hand, and most brick have remained small. Brick isa building element with a human scale. The use ofsmall scale elements, such as brick, tends to breakdown massive expanses of wall into visually pleasingparts. Furthermore, the use of oversized units alters thescale of the masonry unit in relation to the wall. Be-cause people have a perceived size of brick, the use ofoversize units makes the wall appear smaller.

Over time new sizes have been developed to meetspecific design, production or construction needs. Newtypes of construction have required new sizes, such ashollow units for reinforced masonry and larger units forincreased economy. Hollow units have varying coringpatterns 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 dimensionsallow the bricklayer to lay more square foot of wall perday. Such units, compared to standard or modular sizeunits, may increase the number of brick laid per day byover 50 percent. However, as units get larger and heav-ier, a point of diminishing return exists. Also, unitswith larger heights make filling the head joint withmortar more difficult.

Until now, a given brick size may have been knownby several names due to regional variations. A jointcommittee of the Brick Institute of America and theNational 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-sented in Table 1. These terms were developed by aconsensus process involving companies across thecountry. The use of these standard terms when describ-ing brick is strongly recommended.

Table 2 lists other brick sizes that are produced by alimited number of manufacturers. Since clay is such aflexible medium, manufacturers can make many differ-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 purposesonly. Manufacturers incorporate cores and cells in sol-id and hollow brick in many different sizes and pat-terns. The brick manufacturer should be consulted forinformation on sizes and coring patterns.

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.

Brick Institute of A

merica

June 1993M

AS

ON

RY

BR

ICK

4d10B

REVISED

June

1993

NON-MODULAR BRICK SIZES

Standard

King

Queen

Modular 4 22⁄3 8

4 31⁄5 8

4 4 8

Roman 4 2 12

Norman 4 22⁄3 12

4 31⁄5 12

Utility 4 4 12

2

BRICK DIMENSIONS

Brick are identified by three dimensions: width,height and length. Height and length are sometimescalled face dimensions for these are the dimensionsshowing when the brick is laid as a stretcher. Theterms applied to brick positions as they are placed in awall are shown in Fig. 3. The shaded areas indicate thesurfaces of the brick that are exposed. Specificationsand purchase orders should list brick dimensions in thestandard order of width first, followed by height, thenlength.

When specifying or designing with brick, it is im-portant to understand the difference between nominal,specified and actual dimensions. Nominal dimensionsare most often used by the architect in modular con-struction. In modular construction, all dimensions ofthe brick and other building elements are multiples of a

given module. Such dimensions are known as nominaldimensions. For brick masonry the nominal dimensionis equal to the specified unit dimension plus the intend-ed mortar joint thickness. The intended mortar jointthickness is the thickness required so that the unit plusjoint 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. Inthe SI (metric) system, nominal brick dimensions arebased on multiples of 100 mm. For more informationon modular construction see Technical Notes 10A Re-vised.

As the name implies, the specified dimension is theanticipated manufactured dimension. It should be stat-ed in project specifications and purchase orders. Speci-fied dimensions are used by the structural engineer inthe rational design of brick masonry. In non-modularconstruction, only the specified dimension should be

3⁄8 35⁄8 21⁄4 75⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 21⁄4 71⁄2

3⁄8 35⁄8 23⁄4 75⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 213⁄16 71⁄2

3⁄8 35⁄8 35⁄8 75⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 31⁄2 71⁄2

3⁄8 35⁄8 15⁄8 115⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 11⁄2 111⁄2

3⁄8 35⁄8 21⁄4 115⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 21⁄4 111⁄23⁄8 35⁄8 23⁄4 115⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 213⁄16 111⁄23⁄8 35⁄8 35⁄8 115⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 31⁄2 111⁄2

3C = 8 in.

5C = 16 in.

1C = 4 in.

2C = 4 in.

3C = 8 in.

5C = 16 in.

1C = 4 in.

UnitDesignation

Nominal Dimensions, in.

w h l

JointThickness2,

in.

Specified Dimensions3, in.

w h l

VerticalCoursing

11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m2Common 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.

TABLE 1

Standard Nomenclature for Brick Sizes1

MODULAR BRICK SIZES

EngineerModular

ClosureModular

EngineerNorman

3C = 8 in.

5C = 16 in.

1C = 4 in.

5C = 16 in.

5C = 16 in.

3⁄8 35⁄8 21⁄4 81⁄2 31⁄2 21⁄4 83⁄8 35⁄8 23⁄4 81⁄2 31⁄2 213⁄16 8

3⁄8 35⁄8 35⁄8 81⁄2 31⁄2 31⁄2 8

3 23⁄4 95⁄8

23⁄4 25⁄8 95⁄8

3 23⁄4 8

23⁄4 23⁄4 8

EngineerStandard

ClosureStandard

3⁄8

3⁄8

Non-Modular Brick Sizes(Specified Dimensions)

FIG. 2

STANDARD

35⁄8" - 31⁄2"

23⁄4" - 3" 3"8"

8"8" 8"

23⁄4" - 3"

23⁄4" - 213⁄16"

23⁄4" - 25⁄8"23⁄4" 23⁄4" - 25⁄8"

85⁄8"95⁄8"

21⁄4"

35⁄8" - 31⁄2" 35⁄8" - 31⁄2"

35⁄8" - 31⁄2"

ENGINEER STANDARD

QUEEN SIZEKING SIZE

CLOSURE STANDARD

NORMAN ENGINEER NORMAN UTILITY

CLOSURE MODULARENGINEER MODULAR

Modular Brick Sizes(Nominal Dimensions)

FIG. 1

MODULAR

4"8" 8" 8"

8"

8"

8" 8"

16"12"12"

12"

12"12"12" 12"

31⁄5"

31⁄5"

31⁄5"

22⁄3"

22⁄3"

2"

8"

4" 4"

4"

4"

4"

4"4"

4"

6"

6"

6"

4"

4"

4"4"4"

ROMAN

3

Nominal Dimensions, in.

w h l

3 23⁄4 85⁄8

3 25⁄8 85⁄8

ROWLOCK STRETCHER

STRETCHERHEADER

SOLDIER SAILOR

ROWLOCK

Brick Positions in a Wall

FIG. 3

2C = 12 in.

1C = 8 in.

5C = 16 in.

1C = 4 in.

1C = 4 in.

1C = 4 in.

3⁄8 35⁄8 55⁄8 75⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 51⁄2 71⁄2

3⁄8 35⁄8 75⁄8 75⁄81⁄2 31⁄2 71⁄2 71⁄2

3⁄8 55⁄8 23⁄4 115⁄81⁄2 51⁄2 213⁄16 111⁄2

3⁄8 55⁄8 35⁄8 115⁄81⁄2 51⁄2 31⁄2 111⁄2

3⁄8 75⁄8 35⁄8 115⁄81⁄2 71⁄2 31⁄2 111⁄23⁄8 75⁄8 35⁄8 155⁄81⁄2 71⁄2 31⁄2 151⁄2

4 6 8

4 8 8

6 31⁄5 12

6 4 12

8 4 12

8 4 16

3⁄8

4

used. Tables 1 and 2 provide the specified and nominaldimensions, where applicable.

The actual dimension of a unit is the dimension asmanufactured. Actual dimensions may vary slightlyfrom a specified size. The actual dimensions of a brickmust 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 theASTM standard specifications for brick, such asASTM C 216 Standard Specification for Facing Brick,or may be specified in the project documents.

NON-MODULAR BRICK SIZES

MODULAR BRICK SIZES

Specified Dimensions3, in.

w h l

JointThickness2,

in.

VerticalCoursing

11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m2Common 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.

TABLE 2

Other Brick Sizes1

5C = 16 in.

COURSING

Although nominal dimensions are given only formodular brick, it should be noted that the heights ofboth 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, mostdesigners required that the vertical coursing of modularbrick match the existing non-modular brick. Thus, all

1 0' - 2" 0' - 22⁄3" 0' - 31⁄5" 0' - 4"2 0' - 4" 0' - 51⁄3" 0' - 62⁄5" 0' - 8"3 0' - 6" 0' - 8" 0' - 93⁄5" 1' - 0"4 0' - 8" 0' - 102⁄3" 1' - 04⁄5" 1' - 4"5 0' - 10" 1' - 11⁄3" 1' - 4" 1' - 8"

6 1' - 0" 1' - 4" 1' - 71⁄5" 2' - 0"7 1' - 2" 1' - 62⁄3" 1' - 102⁄5" 2' - 4"8 1' - 4" 1' - 91⁄3" 2' - 13⁄5" 2' - 8"9 1' - 6" 2' - 0" 2' - 44⁄5" 3' - 0"

10 1' - 8" 2' - 22⁄3" 2' - 8" 3' - 4"

11 1' - 10" 2' - 51⁄3" 2' - 111⁄5" 3' - 8"12 2' - 0" 2' - 8" 3' - 22⁄5 " 4' - 0"13 2' - 2" 2' - 102⁄3" 3' - 53⁄5" 4' - 4"14 2' - 4" 3' - 11⁄3" 3' - 84⁄5" 4' - 8"15 2' - 6" 3' - 4" 4' - 0" 5' - 0"

16 2' - 8" 3' - 62⁄3" 4' - 31⁄5" 5' - 4"17 2' - 10" 3' - 91⁄3" 4' - 62⁄5" 5' - 8"18 3' - 0" 4' - 0" 4' - 93⁄5" 6' - 0"19 3' - 2" 4' - 22⁄3" 5' - 04⁄5" 6' - 4"20 3' - 4" 4' - 51⁄3" 5' - 4" 6' - 8"

21 3' - 6" 4' - 8" 5' - 71⁄5" 7' - 0"22 3' - 8" 4' - 102⁄3" 5' - 102⁄5" 7' - 4"23 3' - 10" 5' - 11⁄3" 6' - 13⁄5" 7' - 8"24 4' - 0" 5' - 4" 6' - 44⁄5" 8' - 0"25 4' - 2" 5' - 62⁄3" 6' - 8" 8' - 4"

26 4' - 4" 5' - 91⁄3" 6' - 111⁄5" 8' - 8"27 4' - 6" 6' - 0" 7' - 22⁄5" 9' - 0"28 4' - 8" 6' - 22⁄3" 7' - 53⁄5" 9' - 4"29 4' - 10" 6' - 51⁄3" 7' - 84⁄5" 9' - 8"30 5' - 0" 6' - 8" 8' - 0" 10' - 0"

31 5' - 2" 6' - 102⁄3" 8' - 31⁄5" 10' - 4"32 5' - 4" 7' - 11⁄3" 8' - 62⁄5" 10' - 8"33 5' - 6" 7' - 4" 8' - 93⁄5" 11' - 0"34 5' - 8" 7' - 62⁄3" 9' - 04⁄5" 11' - 4"35 5' - 10" 7' - 91⁄3" 9' - 4" 11' - 8"

36 6' - 0" 8' - 0" 9' - 71⁄5" 12' - 0"37 6' - 2" 8' - 22⁄3" 9' - 102⁄5" 12' - 4"38 6' - 4" 8' - 51⁄3" 10' - 13⁄5" 12' - 8"39 6' - 6" 8' - 8" 10' - 44⁄5" 13' - 0"40 6' - 8" 8' - 102⁄3" 10' - 8" 13' - 4"

41 6' - 10" 9' - 11⁄3" 10' - 111⁄5" 13' - 8"42 7' - 0" 9' - 4" 11' - 22⁄5" 14' - 0"43 7' - 2" 9' - 62⁄3" 11' - 53⁄5" 14' - 4"44 7' - 4" 9' - 91⁄3" 11' - 84⁄5" 14' - 8"45 7' - 6" 10' - 0" 12' - 0" 15' - 0"

46 7' - 8" 10' - 22⁄3" 12' - 31⁄5" 15' - 4"47 7' - 10" 10' - 51⁄3" 12' - 62⁄5" 15' - 8"48 8' - 0" 10' - 8" 12' - 93⁄5" 16' - 0"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"

No. ofCourses

TABLE 3

Vertical Coursing1,2

11 in. = 25.4 mm; 1 ft = 0.3 m2Brick positioned in wall as stretchers or headers.

2C = 4 in. 3C = 8 in. 5C = 16 in. 1C = 4 in.

Vertical Coursing of Unit

brick are modular in height. The vertical coursing in-formation given in Tables 1 and 2 is a reflection of thisfact. Table 3 provides vertical dimensions based onthe modular vertical coursing given in Tables 1 and 2.For example, units with heights which course vertical-ly 2 courses to 4 in. (2C = 4 in.) such as Roman size,should use column 1 of Table 3. The dimensions givenin Table 3 include typical mortar joints of 3⁄8 in. to 1⁄2 in.The actual mortar joint size can be determined fromthe vertical coursing information and the specified unitsize. For example, when coursing out with a modularheight unit, the mortar bed joint is slightly larger than3⁄8 in. and slightly less than 1⁄2 in., so that 3 courses ofbrick and mortar will equal the 8 in. module. For mostbrick sizes the mortar bed joint will not be exactly 3⁄8 in.nor 1⁄2 in. Table 3 is applicable to both modular andnon-modular brick. In this table, the brick are as-sumed to be positioned in the wall as stretchers orheaders.

Horizontal coursing information is given in Table 4.The table includes coursing for both modular and non-modular brick.

Another useful tool for designers is the brick scale.The brick scale is a coursing scale marked with multi-ples of common nominal brick sizes. They come in aset which matches the most common architecturalscales, 1⁄4 in. = 1 ft-0 in., 1⁄2 in. = 1 ft-0 in., etc. Manybrick manufacturers, brick distributors and masonrypromotional groups provide brick scales to designers.

CONCLUSION

This Technical Notes presents the standard nomen-clature for brick sizes. Information on brick sizes isgiven and the differences between nominal, specifiedand actual dimensions are explained. Coursing tablesfor both modular and non-modular brick are provided.

The information and suggestions contained in thisTechnical Notes are based on the available data and theexperience of the engineering staff of the Brick Insti-tute of America. The information contained hereinmust be used in conjunction with good technical judg-ment and a basic understanding of the properties ofbrick masonry. Final decisions on the use of the infor-mation contained in this Technical Notes are not withinthe purview of the Brick Institute of America and mustrest with the project architect, engineer and owner.

5

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"

8 85⁄8 95⁄8

Specified Dimensions, in.

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

TABLE 4

Horizontal Coursing1

Nominal Dimensions, in.

1⁄2 in. jt. 3⁄8 in. jt. 3⁄8 in. jt. 3⁄8 in. jt.

Unit Length

Numberof

Units8 12

6

25M B.I.A. 7/93