What is this blog post about?
This blog provides a complete guidance on standard brick size, traditional brick size and nominal brick size in India with permissible tolerances limit in standard size.
Definition of Brick
Brick is a commonly used building material which is made by clay, sand, lime and bearing clay or other solid materials in a kiln. Kneading the raw materials, casting that in a specific sized mould, drying the moulded brick and then firing; these are the four root steps of producing burnt clay bricks.
How is the Size of Brick Considered
The size of brick is considered according to different countries standard. There are two types of bricks size, standard size and nominal size. In India, the standard size of brick is decided by the standard code IS: 1077-1992. In this article, we have mentioned the standard size, nominal size and traditional size of bricks in mm, cm and inches.
The size of brick is taken in the form of Length × Width × Height (L × W × H).
Standard Brick Size, Nominal Brick Size and Traditional Brick Size in India
The dimensions of brick is one of the most crucial parameters that need to be considered during the selection of bricks in order to ensure they fit with the design layout. Brick selection is decided based on the certain application in which the brick is used. Due to the fact that bricks are used in various constructions, different brick sizes are needed. All the same only bricks of one standard size shall be used in one work unless specially permitted by the Client/Consultant.
Standard Brick Size in India as per IS Code
In India, the size of burnt clay brick is considered according to the standard IS: 1077. The standard modular size of common building brick shall be 190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm and 190 mm × 90 mm × 40 mm (Length × Width × Height). Apart from these the non-modular size of brick i.e. 230 mm × 110 mm × 70 mm or 230 mm × 110 mm × 30 mm sized bricks may also be used.
Standard Size of Brick in India in mm
According to IS: 1077, the standard size of brick in India in mm is 190 mm × 90 mm × 90 mm and 190 mm × 90 mm × 40 mm (for modular size bricks) and 230 mm × 110 mm × 70 mm and 230 mm × 110 mm × 30 mm (for non-modular size bricks).
Modular Brick Size in India
The standard modular size of common building brick shall be as follows:
| Length (L) in mm |
Width (W) in mm |
Height (H) in mm |
|---|---|---|
| 190 | 90 | 90 |
| 190 | 90 | 40 |
Non-Modular Brick Size in India
The non-modular size of brick may be:
| Length (L) in mm |
Width (W) in mm |
Height (H) in mm |
|---|---|---|
| 230 | 110 | 70 |
| 230 | 110 | 30 |
Standard Size of Brick in India in cm
According to IS: 1077, the standard size of brick in India in cm shall be as follows:
For modular size bricks: 19 cm × 9 cm × 9 cm and 19 cm × 9 cm × 4 cm
For non-modular size bricks: 23 cm × 11 cm × 7 cm and 23 cm × 11 cm × 3 cm
Standard Brick Size in India in Inches
The standard size of brick in India in inches shall be as follows:
For modular size bricks: 7.40" × 3.54" × 3.54" and 7.40" × 3.54" × 1.57"
For non-modular size bricks: 9.05" × 4.33" × 2.76" and 9.05" × 4.33" × 1.18"
Note: The above gives an approximate value. For better results, follow standard brick size in mm.
Tolerances in Brick Dimensions
The dimensions of brick are calculated using 20 bricks. That's why the limit is also given of 20 bricks.
Tolerances for standard modular size bricks
| Dimensions |
Size (1 Brick) |
Size (20 Bricks) |
Tolerances (20 Bricks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 190 | 3800 | ±80 |
| Width | 90 | 1800 | ±40 |
| Height | 90 | 1800 | ±40 |
| Height | 40 | 800 | ±40 |
Tolerances for non-modular size bricks
| Dimensions | Size (1 Brick) |
Size (20 Bricks) |
Tolerances (20 Bricks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 230 | 4600 | ±80 |
| Width | 110 | 2200 | ±40 |
| Height | 70 | 1400 | ±40 |
| Height | 30 | 600 | ±40 |
Brick Dimensions with Mortar
With the thickness of mortar (10 mm), the dimensions of brick becomes 200 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm and 200 mm × 100 mm × 50 mm.
Nominal Brick Size in India
Nominal brick size means the size of brick with mortar thickness (10 mm). Thus the nominal brick size in India shall be 200 mm × 100 mm × 100 mm and 200 mm × 100 mm × 50 mm.
Traditional Brick Size in India
Those bricks which have not been standardized in size are called traditional or conventional brick. The dimensions of traditional bricks varies and dependent on region and place. The length varies from 210 mm to 250 mm, width varies from 100 mm to 130 mm and thickness varies from 70 mm to 100 mm.
Variations in Traditional Brick Size
Traditional/ conventional size of brick is not fixed. It varies and range is (210 - 250) mm × (100 - 130) mm × (70 - 100) mm.
Traditional Brick Size in India in mm
In India, commonly adopted nominal size of traditional brick in mm is 230 mm × 115 mm × 75 mm approximately.
Traditional Brick Size in India in cm
In India, commonly adopted nominal size of traditional brick in cm is 23 cm × 11.5 cm × 7.5 cm approximately.
Traditional Brick Size in India in inches
In India, commonly adopted nominal size of traditional or conventional brick in inches is 9" × 4½" × 3" approximately.
To practically match with the width of the beam, bricks or blocks of 230 mm width are widely used in the construction industry. Bricks of size 230 mm × 110 mm × 110 mm or 230 mm × 110 mm × 75 mm are generally used in construction industry in India. The 115 mm width is considered for half brick.
What is frog in brick size?
An indent on one face of flat side of hand-moulded brick is called Frog. According to standard IS: 1077-1992, the depth of Frog shall be 10 mm to 20 mm. The side of frog is considered as top surface. Bricks of 40 mm height as well as those made by extrusion process may not be provided with frog. It enhances the bonding with mortar and helps in decreasing the weight of brick.
Brick Frog Size in mm
According to standard IS: 1077-1992, the depth of Frog shall be 10 mm to 20 mm. Frogs may not be provided for bricks of 40 mm height as well as those made by extrusion process.
Standard Brick Weight
The weight of a brick should not be more than 3 Kg so that a mason can lift it by one hand and works full day.
How to Choose the (Traditional) Size of Brick
- The width of brick should be 4" to 5″ so that a mason can hold it using his fingers and thumb.
- The ratios of length : width : thickness are so chosen that the bricks when laid in masonry make a pattern (or bond) so that vertical joints do not come one above the other in alternate courses.
Cause of Changes in Size of Bricks
The root causes of changes in size of bricks are:
- Manufacturing process and variations in raw materials due to shrinkage of the clay during drying and firing,
- Wear of the mold or extrusion die,
- Undue stress on the units during handling prior to firing.
Standard Brick Size of Different Countries
There are many standards each of which established by a country that provide standard sizes for bricks for example ASTM (American Standard for Testing Materials), BS (British Standard), AS (Australian Standards), etc. We have mentioned them in below table.
| Country | Brick Size |
|---|---|
| United States | 203 mm × 92 mm × 57 mm |
| England | 215 mm × 102.5 mm × 65 mm |
| Australia | 230 mm × 110 mm × 76 mm |
| India | 230 mm × 110 mm × 70 mm |
| Russia | 250 mm × 120 mm × 65 mm |
| Germany | 240 mm × 115 mm × 71 mm |
| Denmark | 228 mm × 108 mm × 54 mm |
| South Africa | 222 mm × 106 mm × 73 mm |
| Sweden | 250 mm × 120 mm × 62 mm |
| Bangladesh | 10" × 5" × 3" |
| Pakistan | 8.75" × 4.25" × 2.75" |
| China | 240 mm × 155 mm × 53 mm |
| Nepal | 240 mm × 115 mm × 57 mm |
| Romania | 240 mm × 115 mm × 63 mm |
| Japan | 210 mm × 100 mm × 60 mm |
| Singapore | 218 mm × 100 mm × 68 mm |
| Malaysia | 215 mm × 102 mm × 70 mm |
| Philippines | 215 mm × 102.5 mm × 65 mm |
| Hong Kong | 290 mm × 130 mm × 70 mm |
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