Cinder block dimensions based on ASTM standard

Block manufacturers those that use cinders material of fly ash or bottom ash, coal dust, recycle aggregate, fine particles of ash after burning of coal as an aggregate material are known as cinder blocks in the United States. Its other name concrete block or CMU is also popular.

In United Kingdom, CMU (concrete masonry unit) is known as breeze blocks, which is a synonym of fly ash, and hollow blocks in the Philippines. In New Zealand & Canada they are known as concrete blocks.

In New Zealand, they are also called construction blocks. In Australia, block are also called as Besser blocks and Besser bricks, because the Besser Company was a major supplier of machines that made concrete blocks. Clinker blocks use clinker as aggregate.

Concrete masonry unit or cinder block in short form represented as CMU made of concrete, mixture of cement, sand and water or industrial wastage like coal dust, fly ash, recycled material, bottom ash, etc. There is a form of concrete masonry unit such as cinder block, concrete bricks, hollow cinder block, solid concrete block, lintel block, concrete stretcher block, concrete pillar blocks, partition concrete block, corner concrete block, concrete pillar block.

In United States, cinder or concrete block or CMU serve as economic building material and there is a wide range of construction application for many types of Residential, Public and industrial building. Due to sturdy and long lasting building material, architect and Engineer will recommended for house construction, retaining wall, security barriers etc and this is best choice.

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Cinder block dimensions based on ASTM standard (4″, 6″, 8″, 10″ & 12″)

Cinder block manufactured in a variety of dimensions, they are identified by their depth, such that thickness of wall that creates, for example 4″ CMU or cinder block is normally 4″ wide while 10″ CMU is 10″ wide, represented as depth × height × length. It is also available in half size which helpful in reducing the need to cut cinder block at construction site.

Cinder block dimensions

As per ASTM standard dimensions of cinder blocks are 16 inches long, 8 inches high, and 3 to 12 inches thick. Common nominal dimensions of standard cinder blocks in inches are (L×H×B): 16 × 8 × 3, 16 × 8 × 4, 16 × 8 × 5, 16 × 8 × 6, 16 × 8 × 8, 16 × 8 × 9, 16 × 8 × 10, and 16 × 8 × 12. This is ideal, best, commonly used, normal and standard dimensions of cinder blocks in inches.

Cinder block dimensions in feet

As per ASTM standard dimensions of cinder blocks are 1.33 feet long, 0.66 feet high, and 0.25 to 1 feet thick. Common nominal dimensions of standard cinder blocks in feet are (L×H×B): 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.25, 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.33, 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.42, 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.5, 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.66, 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.75, 1.33 × 0.66 × 0.83, and 1.33 × 0.66 × 1. This is ideal, best, commonly used, normal and standard dimensions of cinder blocks in feet.

Cinder block dimensions in mm

As per ASTM standard dimensions of cinder blocks are 400 mm long, 200 mm high, and 75 to 300 mm thick. Common nominal dimensions of standard cinder blocks in mm are (L×H×B): 400 × 200 × 75, 400 × 200 × 100, 400 × 200 × 125, 400 × 200 × 150, 400 × 200 × 200, 400 × 200 × 225, 400 × 200 × 250, and 400 × 200 × 300. This is ideal, best, commonly used, normal and standard dimensions of cinder blocks in mm.

Cinder block dimensions in cm

As per ASTM standard dimensions of cinder blocks are 40 cm long, 20 cm high, and 7.5 to 30 cm thick. Common nominal dimensions of standard cinder blocks in cm are (L×H×B): 40 × 20 × 7.5, 40 × 20 × 10, 40 × 20 × 12.5, 40 × 20 × 15, 40 × 20 × 20, 40 × 20 × 22.5, 40 × 20 × 25, and 40 × 20 × 30. This is ideal, best, commonly used, normal and standard dimensions of cinder blocks in cm.

Cinder block dimensions in meter

As per ASTM standard dimensions of cinder blocks are 0.40 meter long, 0.20 meter high, and 0.075 to 0.30 meter thick. Common nominal dimensions of standard cinder blocks in meters are (L×H×B): 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.75, 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.1, 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.125, 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.15, 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.2, 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.225, 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.25, and 0.4 × 0.2 × 0.3. This is ideal, best, commonly used, normal and standard dimensions of cinder blocks in meters.

Cinder block actual dimensions

Actual dimension of standard cinder block is 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 15 5/8″ (or 390 × 190 × 190 mm). Their actual dimensions of cinder blocks are 3⁄8 inch (9.5 mm) less than the nominal dimensions to allow 3⁄8 inch for mortar joints between blocks in any orientation.

Cinder block nominal dimensions

In united states, common nominal dimensions of standard 8″ cinder blocks are (L×H×B): 16 × 8 × 8 (or 400 × 200 × 200 mm). Nominal dimensions is sum of size of block and thickness of mortar. Cinder blocks available in many size, shape, and dimensions.

Cinder block must confirm to ASTM standard when fabricating, regarding this, “cinder block standard size”, most commonly used, a standard size of cinder block is 16 inch long by 8 inch high by 8 inch depth, which is represented in inch as 8″×8″×16″ or in mm as 200 × 200 × 400 (depth × height× length). This is nominal size of standard cinder block, their actual size measures 3/8 inch or 10mm shorter, allowing for mortar joints, their actual size is 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 15 5/8″ or approx 190 × 190 × 390 in mm.

A full size of cinder blocks represented as 4 inch wide, 6 inch wide, 8 inch wide, 10 inch wide and 12 inch wide having length of 16″ and height about 8 inch represented as 4″×8″×16″, 6″×8″×16″, 8″×8″×16″, 10″×8″×16″ & 12″×8″×16″. It is also available in half CMU length of 8 inch, the cinder blocks measure a 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

The most common dimensions for a cinder block are approximately 8 by 8 by 16 inches (203mm × 203mm × 405mm). Their actual sizes however are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 15 5/8″ and the cinder blocks measure a 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

4″ cinder block dimensions

4″ cinder blocks or CMU available in full CMU having length of 16″ long and half CMU of 8″ long.

Typical nominal dimensions of standard 4″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 16 × 8 × 4 (or 400 × 200 × 100 mm) and 4″ half cinder blocks are 8 × 8 × 4 (or 200 × 200 × 100 mm).

Typical actual dimensions of standard 4″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 15 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 3 5/8″ (or 390 × 190 × 90 mm) and 4″ half cinder blocks are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 3 5/8″ (or 190 × 190 × 90 mm). Their actual dimensions measure 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

4" cinder block dimensions — 4″ cinder block dimensions

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5″ cinder block dimensions

5″ cinder blocks or CMU available in full CMU having length of 16″ long and 5″ half CMU of 8″ long.

Typical nominal dimensions of standard 5″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 16 × 8 × 5 (or 400 × 200 × 125 mm) and 5″ half cinder blocks are 8 × 8 × 5 (or 200 × 200 × 125 mm).

Typical actual dimensions of standard 5″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 15 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 4 5/8″ (or 390 × 190 × 115 mm) and 5″ half cinder blocks are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 4 5/8″ (or 190 × 190 × 115 mm). Their actual dimensions measure 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

6″ cinder block dimensions

6″ cinder blocks or CMU available in full CMU having length of 16″ long and half CMU of 8″ long.

Typical nominal dimensions of standard 6″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 16 × 8 × 6 (or 400 × 200 × 150 mm) and 6″ half cinder blocks are 8 × 8 × 6 (or 200 × 200 × 150 mm).

Typical actual dimensions of standard 6″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 15 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 5 5/8″ (or 390 × 190 × 140 mm) and 6″ half cinder blocks are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 5 5/8″ (or 190 × 190 × 140 mm). Their actual dimensions measure 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

6" cinder block dimensions — 6″ cinder block dimensions

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8″ cinder block dimensions

8″ cinder blocks or CMU available in full CMU having length of 16″ long and half CMU of 8″ long.

Typical nominal dimensions of standard 8″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 16 × 8 × 8 (or 400 × 200 × 200 mm) and 8″ half cinder blocks are 8 × 8 × 8 (or 200 × 200 × 200 mm).

Typical actual dimensions of standard 8″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 15 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ (or 390 × 190 × 190 mm) and 8″ half cinder blocks are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ (or 190 × 190 × 190 mm). Their actual dimensions measure 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

10″ cinder block dimensions

10″ cinder blocks or CMU available in full CMU having length of 16″ long and half CMU of 8″ long.

Typical nominal dimensions of standard 10″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 16 × 8 × 10 (or 400 × 200 × 250 mm) and 10″ half cinder blocks are 8 × 8 × 10 (or 200 × 200 × 250 mm).

Typical actual dimensions of standard 10″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 15 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 9 5/8″ (or 390 × 200 × 240 mm) and 10″ half cinder blocks are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 9 5/8″ (or 190 × 190 × 240 mm). Their actual dimensions measure 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

12″ cinder block dimensions

12″ cinder blocks or CMU available in full CMU having length of 16″ long and half CMU of 8″ long.

Typical nominal dimensions of standard 12″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 16 × 8 × 12 (or 400 × 200 × 300 mm) and 12″ half cinder blocks are 8 × 8 × 12 (or 200 × 200 × 300 mm).

Typical actual dimensions of standard 12″ full cinder blocks are (L × H × W): 15 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 11 5/8″ (or 390 × 200 × 290 mm) and 12″ half cinder blocks are 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 11 5/8″ (or 190 × 190 × 290 mm). Their actual dimensions measure 3/8 inch shorter, allowing for mortar joints.

Conclusion:-
In the US, based on ASTM standard, dimensions of cinder block are nominally 16 inches long, 8 inches high, and 8 inches thick. Their actual dimensions are 3⁄8 inch (9.5 mm) less than the nominal dimensions to allow 3⁄8 inch for mortar joints between blocks in any orientation. Their actual dimension is 7 5/8″ × 7 5/8″ × 15 5/8″.