Mortar

Mortar mix ratio for brick

General above-grade brickwork is laid in Type N mortar. Its moderate strength and softness let the wall move without cracking the units.

Recommended mix

1 : 1 : 6portland cement : hydrated lime : sand

Type N mortar — about 750 psi (5.2 MPa).

Planning reference. Typical proportions and strength for general work, not a structural mix design. Load-bearing and structural work must follow your local building code and a qualified engineer's specification.

Why this mix

The general-purpose mortar (min 750 psi) for above-grade exterior and interior load-bearing walls. Its softness tolerates movement, so it is the default for most brickwork.

Once you know the mix, the volume calculators tell you how much of it to buy — cubic yards, cubic metres and the bag count in every size.

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