How the brick pillar calculator works
Each course of a pillar is a ring (or a solid square) of bricks. The calculator divides the pillar's plan area by the plan area of one brick plus its joints to get the bricks per course, then multiplies by the number of courses:
courses = ⌈ height ÷ (brick height + joint) ⌉
bricks = bricks per course × courses × number of pillars × (1 + waste %)
Enter the actual outside size of the pillar — for US brick, a "16 inch" pillar measures 15⅝ in, because the nominal size includes one mortar joint.
Bricks per course for common pillar sizes
| Pillar (nominal) | Brick | Hollow core | Solid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 × 16 in | US modular | 6 per course | 8 per course |
| 20 × 20 in | US modular | 8 per course | 13 per course |
| 24 × 24 in | US modular | 10 per course | 18 per course |
| 1½-brick pier (327.5 mm) | UK standard | — | 4.5 (5) per course |
| 2-brick pier (440 mm) | UK standard | 6 per course | 8 per course |
Example: two 16 × 16 in hollow gate pillars, 4 ft tall, in modular brick: 4 ft ÷ 2⅝ in per course = 19 courses × 6 bricks × 2 pillars = 228 bricks, or 251 with 10% waste. The hollow cores take about 3.4 ft³ of concrete. Two 440 mm UK piers, 1.2 m high, need 6 × 16 × 2 = 192 bricks (212 with waste).
Hollow or solid pillars?
Most gate pillars and porch columns are built hollow, with a steel reinforcing bar set in the footing and the core filled with concrete as the pillar goes up. That makes them much stronger, especially if they carry a gate. Small decorative piers and garden wall piers are often solid. The calculator shows the core fill volume for hollow pillars.
Building tips
- Footing. Each pillar needs a concrete footing below the frost line, wider than the pillar — check local requirements.
- Bond. Alternate the brick layout every course so the vertical joints don't line up.
- Cap. Finish with a precast, stone or brick cap that overhangs to shed water; caps aren't included in the brick count.
- Gate hardware. Build hinge pins or anchor plates into the courses as you go.
Frequently asked questions
How many bricks are in a 16 × 16 pillar?
A hollow 16 × 16 in pillar takes 6 modular bricks per course, or 8 if it is solid. At 2⅝ in per course that is about 27 bricks per foot of height for a hollow pillar.
How many bricks do I need for a 4 ft brick pillar?
About 114 modular bricks for one hollow 16 × 16 in pillar (19 courses × 6), or 126 with 10% waste.
Should a brick pillar be filled with concrete?
Yes, for gate pillars and anything load-bearing: set rebar in the footing and fill the hollow core with concrete as you build.
How do I size a brick pillar?
Pillars are sized in whole bricks so you avoid cuts. In the US, 16, 20 and 24 inch square columns suit modular brick; in the UK, 1½-brick (327.5 mm) and 2-brick (440 mm) piers are common.