Firewood Calculator
Measure a firewood stack and find out exactly how many cords you have — full cords and face cords — so you can check a delivery against what you paid for, and estimate cost per cord.
Number of log-length rows stacked front to back
What you paid for this stack — we'll work out the cost per cord
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You might also need:Board Foot Calculator·Cubic Yard Calculator
The cord formula
full cords = cubic feet ÷ 128
An 8 × 4 ft stack of 16-inch logs, one row deep, is 42.7 cubic feet — exactly one third of a cord, which is what "face cord" means. Three of those rows stacked front to back make a full cord. If a seller quotes cords and delivers face cords, you're paying triple.
Firewood measurements decoded
| Term | Dimensions | Cubic feet | Fraction of a cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full cord | 4 × 8 × 4 ft | 128 | 1 |
| Face cord (16″ logs) | 4 × 8 ft × 16″ | 42.7 | ⅓ |
| Rick (regional term) | Usually = face cord | ~42.7 | ~⅓ |
| Half cord | 4 × 4 × 4 ft | 64 | ½ |
| Pickup load (½-ton, level) | — | ~32–45 | ~¼–⅓ |
Buying firewood without getting burned
- Always agree the unit in writing: "cord" is legally defined; "truckload", "pile" and "load" are not.
- Stack before you pay where possible, or stack and measure immediately after — a thrown pile has 30–40% air.
- Seasoned means under 20% moisture: check for cracked ends, grey color, and a hollow clack when two pieces knock together. A $25 moisture meter settles arguments.
- Buy in spring for winter: cheaper, and green wood has time to season properly.
- Cutting your own lumber instead? The board foot calculator handles sawn timber volume.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a cord of firewood?+
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood — the classic stack is 4 ft high × 8 ft long × 4 ft deep. That measurement is legally defined in most US states, which is why "a truckload" is not a unit and a cord is.
What is a face cord?+
A face cord (or rick) is 4 ft high × 8 ft long, but only as deep as the log length — usually 16 inches. That makes a standard face cord about one-third of a full cord. If someone quotes you "a cord" but delivers 16-inch logs stacked 16 inches deep, you got a third of what you paid for.
How do I know if my firewood delivery was short?+
Stack it and measure: height × length × depth in feet, divided by 128, gives you cords received. Do it before you burn any. Most states have weights-and-measures rules requiring firewood to be sold by the cord or fraction — a stacked measurement is your evidence.
How much firewood do I need for winter?+
As a supplemental heat source, 1–3 cords per season is typical. Heating a home primarily with wood runs 3–6 cords depending on climate, house size and stove efficiency. A weekend fireplace user might burn half a cord all winter.
How much does a cord of firewood cost?+
Seasoned hardwood runs $200–$500 per full cord delivered, depending on region and species. Green (unseasoned) wood is cheaper but needs 6–12 months to dry before it burns well. Oak and hickory command premiums; softwoods are cheaper and burn faster.