Firewood Cord Calculator
Measure the stack, get cords — and turn any asking price into real dollars per cord before you hand over cash.
Verified against independent hand calculation · sources cited below
0.33 cords
42.6 ft³ stacked · 1.21 m³
At 16″ logs, a 4 × 8 ft face of this stack is a “face cord” ≈ 0.33 of a full cord — which is why face-cord prices aren’t comparable to cord prices.
A legal full cord is 128 ft³ of tightly stacked wood (4 × 4 × 8 ft). Loose-thrown loads measure bigger than they stack — measure after stacking if money is on the line.
The math, honestly simple
Stack volume is length × height × depth; divide by 128 ft³ and you have cords. The value of this tool isn’t the arithmetic — it’s the unit conversion defense. Sellers quote face cords, ricks, racks, and truckloads; only the cord has a legal definition. Convert everything to dollars per cord and the market gets honest fast.
Buying tips that pay for themselves
- Price the volume, not the pile. Enter the asking price above and compare $/cord across sellers.
- Log length changes face-cord value. 12″ logs make a face cord worth a quarter of a cord; 24″ logs make it half.
- Check moisture. A $50-cheaper green cord costs you a season of drying time.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a full cord of firewood?
A tightly stacked pile measuring 4 ft high × 4 ft deep × 8 ft long = 128 cubic feet (about 3.62 m³). It’s the only legally defined firewood measure in most of North America — “truckload,” “rick,” and “face cord” are not standardized.
What’s a face cord, and why is it confusing?
A face cord is a 4 × 8 ft face of stacked wood, one log deep. Its real volume depends entirely on log length: with 16″ logs it’s about one-third of a full cord. A “$120 face cord” of 16″ wood is roughly $360/cord — always convert before comparing prices.
Does loosely thrown wood count the same as stacked?
No. Loose-thrown wood runs roughly 40–50% air, so a dumped pickup load that looks huge may stack down to half a cord or less. The legal definition assumes tight stacking — ranked rows, parallel logs. Measure after stacking.
How many cords do I need for a winter?
Depends on climate, insulation, and whether wood is primary heat — but common rules of thumb run 2–3 cords for supplemental use and 4–6+ for primary heating in cold climates. Buy dry (seasoned 6–12 months, under ~20% moisture) or this year’s wood is next year’s heat.
Sources & further reading
- Full cord definition: 128 ft³ stacked (4 × 4 × 8 ft), the standard legal firewood measure
- Many U.S. states and Canadian provinces regulate firewood sales in cords — check your local weights-and-measures rules when buying