This calculator helps you calculate how many cords of wood you have, the volume of your firewood, and estimate the cost of firewood. It’s designed for both professional contractors and homeowners planning to purchase firewood for heating or construction projects.
Results
Select one of two calculation modes depending on what’s easier for you to measure: the dimensions of a woodpile or the parameters of individual logs. When measuring a woodpile, enter its height, length, and depth, and the calculator will instantly provide results in cords—the standard American measurement for firewood volume. If you have pre-cut logs, input their quantity, average diameter, and length.
The calculator is based on standard American measurements, where a full cord equals 128 cubic feet (typically a stack measuring 4’×8’×4′). A face cord, or rick, is calculated based on the standard log length of 16 inches. For individual log volume calculations, the calculator uses the cylinder formula, accounting for each log’s diameter and length.
Please note that the actual volume of wood in a cord may vary depending on stacking density, log shape, and wood species.
What is a Full Cord of Firewood?
A cord is the official unit of measurement for firewood volume in the United States. In some states, it’s the only legal way to measure firewood.
One full cord represents a stack of wood with a total volume of 128 cubic feet. The standard dimensions of such a stack are 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long (4′ × 4′ × 8′).
In different regions of the US, you may encounter these alternative terms:
- Face cord — a stack 4 feet high, 8 feet long, but only one log deep (typically 16 inches). A face cord is approximately 1/3 of a full cord when using standard 16-inch logs. The name comes from seeing only the “face” side of the stack.
- Rick — a term often used synonymously with face cord, although dimensions may vary by region.
- Fireplace cord — an unofficial term generally referring to wood cut to size for a specific fireplace, typically smaller than a full cord.
A cord measures volume, not weight, so the amount of wood may vary depending on log shape and size, stacking density, wood species, and moisture content.
How to Properly Measure a Cord of Wood
- Measure the stack in feet: height, width, and length
- Multiply these three measurements to obtain the volume in cubic feet
- Divide the result by 128 to determine how many cords you have
For instance, if your stack measures 4′ × 4′ × 8′, the calculation would be: 4 × 4 × 8 = 128 cubic feet ÷ 128 = 1 full cord.
Here are several common woodpile examples:
- Half cord: stack 4′ × 4′ × 4′ = 64 cubic feet ÷ 128 = 0.5 cord (suitable for small homes with fireplaces)
- Double face cord stack: 4′ × 32″ × 8′ = 85.33 cubic feet ÷ 128 = 0.67 cord (approximately 2/3 of a full cord, common when transitioning from gas heating)
- Non-standard size stack: 5′ × 3′ × 10′ = 150 cubic feet ÷ 128 = 1.17 cords (slightly larger than a full cord, typical for seasonal firewood supply in northern states)
- Large winter heating order: 4′ × 4′ × 16′ = 256 cubic feet ÷ 128 = 2 cords (standard seasonal supply for homes primarily heated with wood)
Cite this page as:
Takahashi, H. “Cord of Wood Calculator”. Available at https://constructioncalculators.com/cord-of-wood-calculator/