Concrete Block Set-out Calculator

Australian masonry · 400×200 module · AS 3700
REV. 1.0
BRISBANE QLD

Set-out

Your ideal dimension — we'll snap it to the nearest block-coursed size.
Half-block (200mm) is the standard companion unit. Other cuts need site-cutting.

Nearest coursing

mm
Blocks
Face module
Diff from target

Alternatives around target

OffsetBlocksDimensionΔ Target

Vertical coursing check

If the target is a head/sill height, nearest matching course count:
Courses to target
Course height
Concrete block set-out notes
  • All block series (100–300) share the same 390×190 face400×200 module. The series only changes wall thickness, not length/height set-out.
  • Pier between two openings — perpend each end. Dim = N × 400 + 10.
  • Corner to opening — no joint at corner, perpend at reveal. Dim = N × 400.
  • Corner to corner — full wall, no end joints. Dim = N × 400 − 10.
  • Half-length block (190mm face) and half-high block (90mm face) are stock companion units — no site-cutting needed for half-module set-outs.
  • Block walls are usually dimensioned directly to the 400/200 module. Reinforced/core-filled walls need vertical bars to land in cores — keep openings on full-block centres where possible.

Build the elevation

Add fixed items (corners + openings) and piers in order left-to-right. The solver rounds each pier target onto coursing and reports the total wall length.
Nearest = smallest deviation. Up = never undersize piers. Down = tightest layout fit.
If your overall wall length is fixed (e.g. structural grid), the solver compares the solved total to it.

Solved set-out

Total wall length
Elevation — not to scale

How to use

Build the elevation left-to-right as a sequence of:

  • Corners — external corners (zero-width, no joint at edge)
  • Openings — windows/doors at their schedule width (treated as fixed)
  • Piers — block masonry between items; enter target and solver rounds to coursing

Typical elevation: Corner → Pier → Opening → Pier → Opening → Pier → Corner.