Firewood Calculator
A cord is a volume, not a pickup load.
Firewood Calculator
Volume = length x height x depth; cords = cubic feet / 128.
Calculated instantly
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What This Calculator Does
The Firewood Calculator converts the dimensions of a stacked woodpile into cubic feet, full cords, face cords, and cubic metres. It is the fastest way to check whether a seller is offering a real cord or a stack that only looks like one.
How It Works
Stack length times height times depth gives stacked volume in cubic feet, including the air spaces between logs. A full cord is defined as 128 cubic feet, traditionally 8 ft long by 4 ft high by 4 ft deep. Dividing the stack volume by 128 gives cords. A face cord is the same 8 ft by 4 ft face with a shorter log length, so the divisor changes with the depth.
Example
A stack 8 ft long, 4 ft high, and 2 ft deep is 64 cubic feet. That is 0.5 of a full cord. With 16 in logs it is 1.5 face cords, and it is about 1.81 cubic metres.
Formula
length x height x depthstacked cubic feet / 128stacked cubic feet / (8 x 4 x log length in ft)cubic feet x 0.0283168Reading the Results
Full cords
Stacked volume divided by 128. A legal cord is a measure of stacked volume, so neat stacking and honest dimensions are what you are paying for.
Face cords
A stack 8 ft by 4 ft with the log length you entered. Because the depth varies, a face cord is not a standard amount of wood and should not be priced as one.
Cubic metres
Useful when buying from a supplier who quotes metric volume. One cubic metre is about 0.276 cords.
Sources and References
USDA Forest Service - Wood as Fuel
Wood volume, weight, and heating value
Explains cord measure, species density, and why weight is a poor substitute for volume.
US EPA Burn Wise - Firewood and Wood Heater Guidance
Seasoning and efficient burning
Guidance on drying wood and burning it cleanly, which affects usable heat more than volume alone.
References identify the method or data behind this calculator. Where a standard or tariff changes, the current edition applies, and the assumptions stated above take precedence over a remembered figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a cord and a face cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, usually 8 ft by 4 ft by 4 ft. A face cord is the same 8 ft by 4 ft face but only one log deep. A face cord of 16 in logs is one third of a cord; with 24 in logs it is half a cord.
How many cubic feet are in a cord?
Exactly 128 cubic feet of stacked volume in the usual US definition. That includes the air gaps. The solid wood content is lower, often 60-70 percent of the stack depending on how the pieces are split and stacked.
Is a pickup truck load a cord?
Usually not. A full-size pickup bed with a standard 6.5 ft bed holds roughly 50 cubic feet level with the rails, which is under half a cord. A heaped load may look larger but is not a reliable measure. Ask for the stack dimensions or buy by the cord from a reputable seller.
How long should firewood season?
Most hardwood needs 6-12 months after splitting and stacking, with airflow and a cover that keeps rain off but lets moisture out. Unseasoned wood burns cool, smokes, and deposits creosote. A moisture meter should read around 15-20 percent on a freshly split face.
Does species change the value of a cord?
Yes. Dense hardwoods such as oak and hickory deliver more heat per cord than softwoods, which is why price per cord varies. A cord is still a cord by volume, but the usable energy and how often you refill the stove are different.