How to use the firewood cord calculator
- Choose a unit, then enter the length, the height and the depth of your stack. The depth is the length of the logs, since they lie across the stack.
- Read the volume in cubic feet and cubic meters and the number of full cords.
- See the number of face cords at this log length. A face cord is a stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long of any log length.
- Add a price per full cord in the advanced options to value the stack, and adjust the solid wood share if you stack loosely or tightly.
Formula
volume = length x height x depth
full cords = volume in cubic feet / 128
face cords = (length x height in square feet) / 32
solid wood = volume x solid share
A full cord is a neatly stacked pile 4 feet high, 4 feet deep and 8 feet long, which is 128 cubic feet. Names for smaller stacks vary by place, so work from dimensions.
A full cord and a face cord
A stack 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet deep has a volume of 128 cubic feet, which is exactly 1 cord, or 3.625 cubic meters. The solid wood is about 89.6 cubic feet at the example 70 percent share. At a price of $300 for a full cord, the stack is worth $300.00.
A stack 8 feet long and 4 feet high of 16 inch logs (1.3333 feet deep) has the same face of 32 square feet, so it is 1 face cord, but only 0.333 of a full cord. The same sizes in inches (96 by 48 by 16) or in meters (2.4384 by 1.2192 by 1.2192) give the same results.
Why the name is not enough
A cord is a fixed volume, but face cord, rick, run and other terms mean different amounts in different places. A face cord of short logs holds much less wood than a face cord of long ones. Ask a seller for the length, height and depth of the stack and enter them here. Then you can compare prices on one footing.
Air in the stack
A stack holds air between the logs, so the volume of solid wood is less than the volume of the pile. The share depends on how straight and how evenly split the wood is, and how well it is stacked. The 70 percent in the form is an example, so replace it with your own estimate. For other volumes, see the Volume Calculator.
More tools for the workshop and home
For related projects around the house and workshop, try the Fabric Shrinkage Calculator, Cabinet Door Size Calculator and Pond Liner Size Calculator.
Assumptions and limits
- The stack is a neat rectangular block with the logs lying in one direction.
- A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood.
- A face cord is counted by the 4 foot by 8 foot face of 32 square feet, whatever the log length.
- The solid wood share is an estimate you can change.
- The size, price and share in the form are examples to replace with your own.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, which comes from a stack 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet.
Is a face cord the same as a cord?
No. A face cord has the same face but only the depth of one log length, so for 16 inch logs it is one third of a full cord.
Why does a loose stack hold less wood?
Gaps between logs take up space without adding wood. The same pile of the same size holds less wood the looser it is stacked, so ask how the stack was made.
Can I use this to compare prices?
Yes. Enter the dimensions of each offer and the price, and compare the value per full cord. Check how the wood is split and how dry it is, because those matter as much as the volume.