Cord of Wood Calculator

Quickly estimate the volume of your firewood stack to avoid being overcharged.

Stack Dimensions (Feet)

Total Volume (Cords)
1.00
Estimated Total Value
$250.00
One Full Cord of wood is exactly 128 cubic feet (typically 4' x 4' x 8').

Understanding Firewood Measurements

Buying firewood can be confusing because sellers often use different terms like "cords," "face cords," or "ricks." To ensure you are getting a fair deal, it's vital to measure your stack. Our Cord of Wood Calculator simplifies this by converting your stack's dimensions into standard cords.

What is a Full Cord?

A standard Full Cord is a large volume of wood that measures 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long, totaling 128 cubic feet ($128\ ft^3$). When wood is stacked "tightly," this is the legal standard for sale in most regions.

How to Calculate Cords Manually

To calculate the number of cords in a stack, multiply the width, height, and length (in feet) to find the total cubic feet, then divide by the constant 128.

Cords =
W × H × L
128

For a Full Cord, the result should be 1. For a Face Cord (where length is usually 1.33 ft or 16 inches), the calculation looks like this:

Face Cord =
8ft × 4ft × 1.33ft
128
≈ 0.33 Full Cords
Efficiency Tip: If you are comparing wood heating to other sources, use our Electricity Cost Calculator to see if electric heating might be more economical during the off-season.

Face Cord vs. Full Cord

A Face Cord (sometimes called a "rick") is a stack that is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but the depth is only as long as a single piece of wood (usually 16 inches). This means a face cord is typically only 1/3 of a full cord.

When planning your storage area, remember to keep your wood off the ground. You can even use durable outdoor fabrics to protect it; if you're DIY-ing a wood shed cover, check our Fabric Calculator to estimate the material needed for a heavy-duty tarp or protective screen.

How to Stack Wood Properly

  • Airflow: Leave gaps between stacks to allow wind to dry the wood. Seasoned wood (less than 20% moisture) burns much more efficiently.
  • Height: For safety and ergonomics, avoid stacking wood higher than 4 or 5 feet. For a comfortable working posture during stacking, our Desk Height Calculator provides insights into the ideal ergonomic zones for repetitive manual tasks.
  • Orientation: Place the bark side up if the wood is exposed to rain, or keep it under a roof for the best results.
Buyer Beware: Always measure the stack *after* it has been delivered and stacked. Loose wood in a truck bed (a "thrown cord") occupies about 180 cubic feet, but will only be about 128 cubic feet once neatly stacked.