How to Use the Firewood Calculator
- Choose feet and inches or meters and centimeters.
- Enter the stack length and height.
- Enter the piece length and the number of rows.
- Enter the price paid to compare per full cord.
- Read full cords, face cords, cubic meters and price per cord.
Choose feet and inches or meters and centimeters. Measure the length and the average height of the woodpile, then the length of the pieces, which is the depth of the stack from front to back. If the wood is stacked in two or more rows side by side, set the number of rows. Measure a tight, neat stack: loose or thrown wood takes up more space and contains less wood than the same volume stacked.
If you bought the wood, enter the price paid for the stack. The calculator converts it to the price of a full cord and of a face cord, so you can compare sellers who quote in different units. It also shows how long a stack of your height and piece length must be to hold one full cord.
Cord Formula
full cords = volume (cu ft) ÷ 128
face cords = length × height × rows ÷ 32 sq ft
price per full cord = price paid ÷ full cords
A full cord is a stack 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long, which is 128 cu ft (3.62 m³) including the air between the pieces. A face cord, also called a rick or stove cord in some places, is a stack 4 ft high and 8 ft long but only one piece deep. Its volume depends on the piece length, so a face cord of 16 in wood is one third of a full cord.
Worked Example: Checking a Delivery
A seller stacks a pile 16 ft long and 4 ft high with 16 in pieces in a single row, and charges $260. The volume is 16 × 4 × 1.333 = 85.3 cu ft, so the pile holds 85.3 ÷ 128 = 0.67 full cords. Measured by the face, it is 16 × 4 ÷ 32 = 2 face cords.
The price per full cord is $260 ÷ 0.667 = $390, and the price per face cord is $130. The same pile is 2.42 m³, or about 2.4 steres. With 16 in pieces stacked 4 ft high, a single row has to be 24 ft long to make one full cord.
Face Cord Size by Piece Length
| Piece length | Face cord volume | Share of a full cord | Face cords per full cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in (30 cm) | 32 cu ft (0.91 m³) | 0.25 | 4 |
| 16 in (41 cm) | 42.7 cu ft (1.21 m³) | 0.33 | 3 |
| 18 in (46 cm) | 48 cu ft (1.36 m³) | 0.375 | 2.67 |
| 24 in (61 cm) | 64 cu ft (1.81 m³) | 0.5 | 2 |
When comparing prices, always convert to the full cord. A cheap face cord of 12 in wood can cost more per unit of wood than a pricier face cord of 18 in wood.
Tips for Buying and Stacking Firewood
- Ask the seller to confirm the unit and piece length in writing, since "cord" is sometimes used loosely.
- Stack the wood neatly as soon as it arrives and measure it then. Some places regulate firewood sales by the cord, and a measured stack is your evidence.
- Dry, seasoned wood burns hotter and cleaner. Split wood dries faster when stacked off the ground with the ends exposed to air.
- Many regions restrict moving firewood long distances to slow the spread of tree pests, so buy locally where required.
Assumptions and Limits
The calculator assumes a rectangular, tightly stacked pile. Crooked or loosely stacked wood holds less solid wood per cord, and heights vary along a pile, so measure the average height at several points. Heat value depends on species and moisture, which a volume measure does not capture. Results are estimates for comparing purchases and planning storage.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a cord of wood?
A full cord is a tightly stacked pile 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long, which equals 128 cubic feet or about 3.62 cubic meters, including the air spaces between pieces.
What is a face cord of firewood?
A face cord is a stack 4 ft high and 8 ft long, one piece deep. With 16 inch pieces it is one third of a full cord. It is also called a rick or stove cord in some regions.
How do I calculate cords in a woodpile?
Multiply the length, height and piece length in feet, multiply by the number of rows, then divide by 128. A pile 16 ft long, 4 ft high, with 16 inch pieces holds 0.67 cords.
How many face cords are in a full cord?
It depends on the piece length. With 16 inch pieces there are three face cords in a full cord, with 12 inch pieces four, and with 24 inch pieces two.
How many cubic meters are in a cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet, which is about 3.62 cubic meters of stacked wood. In metric countries wood is often sold by the stere, which is one cubic meter of stacked wood.
How do I compare firewood prices?
Convert every price to the cost of one full cord. Divide the price by the number of full cords in the load. A face cord of 16 inch wood at $130 equals $390 per full cord.