How it works
A full cord is a neatly stacked pile of wood that measures 128 cubic feet, usually 4 feet high, 4 feet deep and 8 feet long. It is the standard unit for selling firewood in the US and Canada.
A face cord (also called a rick or stove cord) is a stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but only one piece deep. With 16-inch pieces, a face cord is one third of a full cord. With 12-inch pieces it is one quarter. Prices for face cords vary a lot, so compare them by converting to full cords.
Measure the stack’s length and height and the length of the pieces. If you have more than one row side by side, enter the number of rows. Sellers often quote a “truckload,” so measure what is delivered before paying.
Formula
Cords = length (ft) × height (ft) × piece length (in) ÷ 12 × rows ÷ 128
Questions people ask
How big is a cord of wood?
128 cubic feet of stacked wood, most often a stack 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long. A half cord is 64 cubic feet, such as a stack 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 4 ft long.
How many face cords are in a full cord?
It depends on piece length. With 16-inch pieces, three face cords make a full cord. With 12-inch pieces, four do. With 24-inch pieces, two do.
How much firewood does a full-size pickup hold?
A full-size pickup with an 8 ft bed holds about half a cord when the wood is neatly stacked level with the bed rails. A short bed holds about a third of a cord.
How much firewood do I need for a winter?
People who heat mainly with wood often burn 3 to 6 cords a season. Occasional fireplace use may need only a face cord or two.