Brick Sizes
Manufacturers produce bricks to their own specifications, so it is important to confirm sizes; however, the sizes in the tables below come from the Brick Industry Association and are the most commonly produced sizes. Actual Size, also referred to as Specified Size, is the real dimension of each brick. Nominal size is the actual size plus the width of the mortar joint. Most bricks are manufactured so that the nominal sizes fit into a grid of 4", which coincides with the modules of other building materials such as doors, windows, and wood components.
Assuming a 3/8" Mortar Joint Between Bricks
Brick Type | Actual Size | Nominal Size | Vertical Course |
| Standard | 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 8 | Not modular | 3 courses = 8" |
| Modular | 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 7 5/8 | 4 x 2 2/3 x 8 | 3 courses = 8" |
| Norman | 3 5/8 x 2 1/4 x 11 5/8 | 4 x 2 2/3 x 12 | 3 courses = 8" |
| Roman | 3 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 11 5/8 | 4 x 2 x 12 | 1 course = 2" |
| Jumbo | 3 5/8 x 2 3/4 x 8 | 4 x 3 x 8 | 1 course = 3" |
| Economy | 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 | 4 x 4 x 8 | 1 course = 4" |
| Engineer | 3 5/8 x 2 13/16 x 7 5/8 | 4 x 3 1/5 x 8 | 5 courses = 16" |
| King | 2 3/4 x 2 5/8 x 9 5/8 | Not modular | 5 courses = 16" |
| Queen | 2 3/4 x 2 3/4 x 7 5/8 | Not modular | 5 courses = 16" |
| Utility | 3 5/8 x 3 5/8 x 11 5/8 | 4 x 4 x 12 | 1 course = 4" |
Assuming a 1/2" Mortar Joint Between Bricks
Brick Type | Actual Size | Nominal Size | Vertical Course |
| Standard | 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 8 | Not modular | 3 courses = 8" |
| Modular | 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 7 1/2 | 4 x 2 2/3 x 8 | 3 courses = 8" |
| Norman | 3 1/2 x 2 1/4 x 11 1/2 | 4 x 2 2/3 x 12 | 3 courses = 8" |
| Roman | 3 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 11 1/2 | 4 x 2 x 12 | 1 course = 2" |
| Jumbo | 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 8 | 4 x 3 x 8 | 1 course = 3" |
| Economy | 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 7 1/2 | 4 x 4 x 8 | 1 course = 4" |
| Engineer | 3 1/2 x 2 3/4 x 7 1/2 | 4 x 3 1/5 x 8 | 5 courses = 16" |
| King | 3 x 2 3/4 x 9 3/4 | Not modular | 5 courses = 16" |
| Queen | 3 x 2 3/4 x 8 | Not modular | 5 courses = 16" |
| Utility | 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 11 1/2 | 4 x 4 x 12 | 1 course = 4" |
2004 CSI Masterspec Division
Clay Unit Masonry: 04 21 00
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