Free estimate — verify against local code before building
Firewood Cord Calculator
Measure a stack in full cords, normalize a seller quote, and compare gross heat content by species.
What this calculator includes
A full cord is 128 stacked cubic feet — 4 feet high, 8 feet long, 4 feet deep — and it is the only standardized firewood unit. Measure your stack's length, height, and piece length to get exact cords and face cords, or flip to seller mode to convert a quoted price into dollars per full cord and compare it against a local reference. Species values show gross fuel energy; actual delivered heat depends on moisture and appliance efficiency.
How to use this firewood calculator
- 01
Stack it tight, then measure
Cord measurements assume wood stacked in a compact, parallel pile. Measure the stack's length and height in feet, and the average piece length in inches — one row of 16-inch pieces is 1.33 feet deep.
- 02
Count the rows
Multiply piece length by the number of rows to get depth. Three rows of 16-inch pieces at 4 feet high by 8 feet long is exactly one full cord (128 cubic feet).
- 03
Check the seller's price
Convert the quoted quantity to full cords — a face cord of 16-inch pieces is 1/3 cord, a half cord is 0.5 — then divide the price by the cords. Compare that to your local full-cord rate before buying.
- 04
Verify seasoning before burning
Heat values assume wood seasoned below 20% moisture. Split a piece and test the fresh face with a moisture meter; green wood wastes heat boiling off water and builds creosote.
Calculation sources and review
Primary references and formula assumptions are linked so you can verify them against the selected product, supplier, and adopted local requirements.
Internal formula review completed July 13, 2026. What this review covers
- University of Missouri Extension — Wood Fuel for Heating (G5450) (opens in a new tab)
Heat content of air-dried firewood by species; the BTU table behind the species values.
- NIST Office of Weights and Measures (opens in a new tab)
The 128 cubic-foot cord is the legal unit for firewood sales in most U.S. states.
- U.S. EIA — energy units and calculators (opens in a new tab)
Fuel energy content behind the propane-gallon and natural-gas-therm equivalents.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a full cord of firewood?
A full cord is 128 stacked cubic feet — typically 4 feet high by 8 feet long by 4 feet deep. It is the only legally standardized firewood unit in most states, so always convert quotes into full cords.
What is a face cord?
A face cord is a single 4 × 8 ft row of the stack. With 16-inch pieces that row is 42.67 cubic feet — exactly 1/3 of a full cord. Longer or shorter pieces change the fraction, which is why face-cord prices need converting.
What is a rick of wood?
A rick is an unstandardized regional term — usually one row of a stack, but the piece length and dimensions vary by seller. Never price-compare a rick without measuring the stack and converting to cords.
How can I tell if a firewood price is fair?
Divide the price by the fraction of a cord being delivered. A $150 face cord of 16-inch pieces is $450 per full cord — well above a $300 local cord rate. Measure the stack after delivery; sellers must deliver the volume sold.
Which firewood gives the most heat?
Dense hardwoods lead: hickory around 27.7 million BTU per cord and oak around 24.6, versus about 15.9 for pine — approximate air-dried extension-service values. Seasoning below 20% moisture matters as much as species.