In this paper, an effort has been made to incorporate iron filings (IF), a waste from metal workshops, in the production of hollow masonry blocks. The fine aggregate component was partially replaced by 5, 10, 15, and 20 of IF. A mix ratio of 1:8 was used in the production of blocks of size 450 mm � 150 mm � 225 mm. The sorptivity, compressive strength (CS), and cost analysis of masonry blocks with iron filings were evaluated. The results showed that the iron filings used were well graded. The sorptivity of iron filings blocks (IFB) decreased as the percentage of iron filings increased from 0 to 20. The highest compressive strengths were obtained at 5 addition of iron filings, ranging from 0.93 N/mm2 at 7 days to 2.10 N/mm2 at 28 days. The cost analysis revealed a 1.05 reduction in the unit price of the block with optimum CS at conventional pricing rates. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.