Abstract In this study, stress distributions between externally bonded CFRP strips and three types of masonry surfaces were experimentally investigated. Furthermore, ultimate load and slip displacement behavior between the same surfaces were examined. The main variables considered in the experimental study were CFRP strip width (50 mm and 100 mm), bond length (200 mm and 280 mm), masonry unit type and presence of anchorages. CFRP strips were externally bonded to aerated concrete, hollow and clay brick masonry units. Total twenty-four tests were conducted while half of them were tested without any anchorages and other half of them were tested with the presence of fan type CFRP anchorage. From the test results, the ultimate load and slip displacement behaviors, stress distributions on CFRP strips and ultimate load values were obtained and compared with the results obtained using analytical models. From the comparison of analytical and experimental results it was observed that the results obtained from analytical models and experimental study were not in good agreement for many cases. Furthermore, simple analytical models, based on the conducted experiments, were proposed to estimate the load–slip displacement behavior of CFRP strip and masonry unit interface.