Firewood Cord Calculator (2026)
Most firewood is sold by the cord, but "cord" is often misused. Enter your stack dimensions to get an accurate count of full cords, face cords, estimated weight, BTU heat output, and total cost — with species-specific data for 12 wood types.
Quick Reference
Log Length & Face Cord Conversion
Face cord volume depends on log length. A face cord is always 4ft high × 8ft long, but the depth varies with your log length.
| Log Length | Face Cord Volume | Face Cords per Full Cord | Cord per Face Cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 inches | 32.0 ft³ | 4.00 | 0.250 |
| 14 inches | 37.3 ft³ | 3.43 | 0.292 |
| 16 inches | 42.7 ft³ | 3.00 | 0.333 |
| 18 inches | 48.0 ft³ | 2.67 | 0.375 |
| 20 inches | 53.3 ft³ | 2.40 | 0.417 |
| 24 inches | 64.0 ft³ | 2.00 | 0.500 |
| 30 inches | 80.0 ft³ | 1.60 | 0.625 |
Wood Species Weight & Heat Output
Different species produce dramatically different amounts of heat per cord. Dense hardwoods burn longer and hotter.
| Species | Seasoned Weight/Cord | Green Weight/Cord | Heat per Cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | 4,300 lbs | 5,700 lbs | 27.7M BTU |
| White Oak | 4,200 lbs | 5,600 lbs | 26.4M BTU |
| Red Oak | 3,528 lbs | 4,888 lbs | 24.0M BTU |
| Sugar Maple | 3,680 lbs | 4,630 lbs | 24.0M BTU |
| White Ash | 3,440 lbs | 4,184 lbs | 23.6M BTU |
| Yellow Birch | 3,689 lbs | 4,312 lbs | 21.8M BTU |
| Cherry | 3,200 lbs | 4,200 lbs | 20.0M BTU |
| Douglas Fir | 2,970 lbs | 3,319 lbs | 20.7M BTU |
| White Pine | 2,250 lbs | 2,900 lbs | 15.9M BTU |
| Cedar | 2,300 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 12.2M BTU |
Source: USDA Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) Wood Handbook. Weights are for seasoned wood at ~20% moisture. Green wood contains 30-50% more water weight.
Truck Loads & Common Stack Sizes
Firewood is often delivered by pickup truck. Here's how common truck loads and stack configurations convert to cords.
| Configuration | Dimensions | Volume | Cords |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Cord | 8 × 4 × 4 ft | 128 ft³ | 1.00 |
| Half Cord | 4 × 4 × 4 ft | 64 ft³ | 0.50 |
| 16" Face Cord | 8 × 4 × 1.33 ft | 42.7 ft³ | 0.33 |
| Short Bed Truck | 6 × 5 × 1.5 ft | 45 ft³ | 0.35 |
| Long Bed Truck | 8 × 5.3 × 2 ft | 84.8 ft³ | 0.66 |
| Long Bed Heaped | 8 × 5.3 × 2.5 ft | 106 ft³ | 0.83 |
| Two-Row Rack | 8 × 4 × 2.67 ft | 85.3 ft³ | 0.67 |
| Three-Row Rack | 8 × 4 × 4 ft | 128 ft³ | 1.00 |
Note: Loose (thrown) loads occupy more space than stacked wood. A loose pile of ~180 ft³ is roughly equivalent to 1 stacked cord.
How Much Firewood Do You Need by Climate?
Your heating needs depend on climate, home size, insulation, and how often you use your fireplace or wood stove.
| Climate | 1,000 sq ft Home | 2,000 sq ft Home | Season Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild (South) | 1–2 cords | 2–3 cords | 3–4 months |
| Moderate (Midwest) | 2–3 cords | 3–5 cords | 5–6 months |
| Cold (Northeast) | 3–4 cords | 5–7 cords | 6–7 months |
| Very Cold (Northern) | 4–5 cords | 7–10 cords | 7–8 months |
Tips & Common Mistakes
Best Practices
- Buy early in summer — prices are lowest and wood has time to season.
- Stack off the ground — use pallets or rails to prevent rot.
- Face the open end south — sun and wind accelerate drying.
- Cover the top only — leave sides open for air circulation.
- Season 6-12 months — hardwoods need longer than softwoods.
- Split before stacking — split wood dries 2-3x faster than rounds.
Avoid This
- Burning green wood — excess smoke, creosote buildup, low heat.
- Stacking on dirt — wood absorbs moisture and rots from bottom up.
- Overloading the stack — unstable stacks collapse. Keep under 4ft.
- Ignoring log length — face cord value changes dramatically with length.
- Not measuring before buying — "cord" is often misused by sellers.
- Storing near house — keep 20+ feet away to prevent insect intrusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
A full cord is 128 cubic feet, typically stacked 4ft high × 4ft deep × 8ft long. This is the standard unit for buying and selling firewood in North America.
A face cord is one layer of stacked firewood, 4ft high × 8ft long × log length deep. With 16-inch logs, a face cord is about 42.7 cubic feet — roughly 1/3 of a full cord. Always confirm log length with your seller.
Prices vary by region, species, and season. In 2026, expect $200-$350 per full cord. Hardwoods like oak and hickory cost more than softwoods like pine. Buy in summer for the best prices.
A cord of seasoned hardwood typically weighs 3,000-4,300 lbs depending on species. Hickory is heaviest at ~4,300 lbs/cord; white pine is lightest at ~2,250 lbs/cord. Green wood weighs 30-50% more.
Most hardwoods need 6-12 months of seasoning to reach 15-20% moisture content. Softwoods like pine dry faster in 3-6 months. Split wood dries faster than rounds.
BTU output varies by species. Hickory leads at 27.7 million BTU/cord. Oak provides 24-26 million BTU. Pine provides about 15.9 million BTU. Seasoned wood burns more efficiently than green wood.
Stack wood off the ground on pallets or rails. Cover the top but leave sides open for airflow. Face the open end south for faster drying. Stack no higher than 4 feet for stability.
A full cord equals approximately 12-15 standard wheelbarrow loads (6 cubic feet each). Larger wheelbarrows (8+ cubic feet) need about 10-12 loads.