Cord of Wood Calculator
Calculate the volume of firewood in cords from stack dimensions, estimate heating value in BTUs, and determine the number of full or face cords in your woodpile for efficient winter planning.
This free online cord of wood calculator provides instant results with no signup required. All calculations run directly in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Enter your values below and see results update in real time as you type. Perfect for everyday calculations, homework, or professional use.
Range: 1 – 100
Total length of the stacked firewood in feet.
Range: 1 – 20
Height of the stacked firewood in feet.
Range: 0.5 – 8
Depth of the logs (length of each piece). A full cord uses 4-foot logs.
Type of wood affects the heating value per cord.
Results
Total Volume
128 cu ft
Full Cords
1
Face Cords
3
Heating Value
20 million BTU
How to Use This Calculator
Enter your input values
Fill in all required input fields for the Cord of Wood Calculator. Most fields include unit selectors so you can work in your preferred unit system — metric or imperial, whichever matches your problem.
Review your inputs
Double-check that all values are correct and that you have selected the right units for each field. Incorrect units are the most common source of calculation errors and can produce results that are off by factors of 2, 10, or more.
Read the results
The Cord of Wood Calculator instantly computes the output and displays results with units clearly labeled. All calculations happen in your browser — no loading time and no data sent to a server.
Explore parameter sensitivity
Try adjusting individual input values to see how the output changes. This is a quick and effective way to develop intuition about how different parameters influence the result and to identify which inputs have the largest effect.
When to Use This Calculator
- •Use the Cord of Wood Calculator when you need accurate results quickly without the risk of manual computation errors or unit conversion mistakes.
- •Use it to verify calculations made by hand or in spreadsheets — an independent check can catch errors before they lead to costly decisions.
- •Use it to explore how changing input parameters affects the output — a quick way to develop intuition and identify the most influential variables.
- •Use it when collaborating with others to ensure everyone is working from the same numbers and applying the same assumptions.
About Cord of Wood Calculator
A cord of wood is the standard unit of measurement for firewood in the United States and Canada, defined as a neatly stacked pile measuring 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long, totaling 128 cubic feet. Whether you are buying firewood for your wood stove, fireplace, or outdoor fire pit, understanding how to measure and verify cord volume prevents overpaying for short stacks. This calculator takes the dimensions of your woodpile and converts them into full cords, face cords, and estimated heating value based on the type of wood. Hardwoods like oak and maple deliver significantly more BTUs per cord than softwoods like pine, making wood type an important factor in heating cost comparisons. A face cord, sometimes called a rick, uses shorter logs (typically 16 inches) and equals roughly one-third of a full cord. Firewood dealers sometimes use inconsistent terminology, so measuring your stack yourself is the best way to ensure you receive the volume you paid for.
The Math Behind It
Formula Reference
Cord Volume Formula
Cords = (Length x Height x Depth) / 128
Variables: Length, Height, and Depth in feet. One cord = 128 cubic feet (4 x 4 x 8).
Worked Examples
Example 1: Standard full cord verification
A firewood delivery is stacked 8 feet long, 4 feet high, with 4-foot logs of oak.
The stack is exactly one full cord of oak, providing approximately 24 million BTU of heating energy.
Example 2: Partial stack of pine firewood
A woodpile is 12 feet long, 3 feet high, with 16-inch (1.33 ft) logs of pine.
The stack contains about 0.37 full cords or 1.12 face cords of pine, yielding roughly 5.6 million BTU.
Common Mistakes & Tips
- !Confusing a face cord with a full cord -- a face cord is roughly one-third of a full cord, so paying full-cord prices for a face cord means overpaying by about 200 percent.
- !Forgetting that a loosely thrown pile occupies more space than a neatly stacked pile, so volume measurements of unstacked wood overestimate the actual cord count.
- !Ignoring moisture content when comparing prices -- green wood weighs more but produces less heat than seasoned wood, so cost per BTU is a better comparison metric.
- !Assuming all wood species provide the same heat -- a cord of pine delivers about 40 percent less heat energy than a cord of oak.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cord of firewood cost?
Firewood prices vary widely by region, species, and seasoning. In the United States, a full cord of seasoned hardwood typically costs between $200 and $400, while softwood ranges from $150 to $250. Green (unseasoned) wood is usually $50-100 less per cord. Prices are highest in late fall and winter when demand peaks. Rural areas with abundant timber tend to have lower prices than urban or suburban markets.
How long will a cord of wood last for heating?
A cord of hardwood burned in an efficient wood stove can heat a well-insulated 1,500-square-foot home for four to six weeks during cold winter months. Factors affecting burn time include stove efficiency (50-80 percent for modern EPA-certified stoves), home insulation quality, outdoor temperature, and whether the stove is the primary or supplemental heat source. Most homes using wood as primary heat consume three to five cords per winter season.
What is the difference between a cord, face cord, and rick?
A full cord is a standardized legal measure of 128 cubic feet (4 x 4 x 8 feet). A face cord (also called a rick in some regions) has the same 4-by-8-foot face dimensions but uses shorter logs, typically 16 inches deep, making it roughly one-third of a full cord. The terms face cord and rick are used interchangeably in most areas, though exact definitions can vary by locality. Always confirm the actual dimensions when purchasing.
How should I stack firewood for proper seasoning?
Stack wood in a single row with the bark side up, elevated off the ground on pallets or rails to allow airflow underneath. Leave a few inches of space between parallel rows. Place the stack in a sunny location with good air circulation. Cover the top to protect from rain but leave the sides open for ventilation. Most hardwoods need six to twelve months to season properly, reaching a moisture content of 20 percent or below for efficient burning.