Cord of Wood Calculator

What Is a Cord of Wood?

A cord of wood is the standard US and Canada unit for measuring stacked firewood and pulpwood. One full cord equals 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked logs with uniform lengths and minimal gaps between pieces.

The classic cord dimensions are 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high. The name likely comes from the cord or string once used to measure log piles in the field.

Cord of Wood Formula

When you know the length, width, and height of a wood stack in feet, the number of full cords is:

$$\text{cords} = \frac{L \times W \times H}{128}$$

where $L$, $W$, and $H$ are in feet and 128 is the cubic feet in one full cord. In metric units:

$$\text{cords} = \frac{L \times W \times H}{3.6246}$$

with dimensions in meters.

What Is a Face Cord?

A face cord (also called a rick or furnace cord in some regions) is one third of a full cord. It applies when logs are the standard 16-inch length and the stack is only one log deep.

Face cord dimensions are 8 feet long, 16 inches (1.33 feet) deep, and 4 feet high, giving 42.67 cubic feet. The face cord formula is:

$$\text{face cords} = \frac{L \times 1.33 \times H}{42.67}$$

or simply divide your total stack volume by 42.67 cubic feet.

How to Use This Calculator

Measure your firewood stack. Record length, width, and height, or enter the total volume if you already know it.
Choose feet, meters, or inches for dimension inputs. The tool converts everything to cubic feet internally.
Read the full cord count, face cord count, and percentage of one cord instantly.
Optionally enter your local price per cord to estimate the total value of the stack.

Example Calculation

Suppose a backyard woodpile measures 12 feet long, 6 feet deep, and 5 feet high:

$$\text{volume} = 12 \times 6 \times 5 = 360\ \text{ft}^3$$

$$\text{cords} = \frac{360}{128} = 2.81\ \text{cords}$$

At $275 per cord, that stack is worth about $772.

Firewood Weight and Moisture

A cord can weigh between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds depending on wood species and whether the logs are green, seasoned, or kiln-dried. Moisture content alone can add roughly 1,000 pounds to a green cord compared to seasoned wood.

Related tools: Log Weight Calculator for hauling estimates, Volume Calculator for rectangular prism math, and Cubic Feet Calculator for general volume conversions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a cord of wood weigh?

A cord of wood typically weighs 2,000 to 5,000 pounds. Oak and hickory weigh more than pine or fir. Green (freshly cut) wood carries extra water weight and can be 1,000 pounds heavier than seasoned firewood.

How much is a quarter cord of wood?

A quarter cord is one fourth of a full cord, or 32 cubic feet. Common dimensions are 4 feet high, 6 feet long, and 16 inches wide. Use the formula: cords = (length × width × height) / 128. For those dimensions you get exactly 0.25 cords.

What are the dimensions of a full cord of wood?

A full cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high. That equals 128 cubic feet of stacked wood. Logs must be uniform in length with minimal air gaps for an accurate cord measurement.

How many face cords are in a full cord?

Three face cords equal one full cord. Each face cord is 8 feet long, 16 inches deep, and 4 feet high, totaling 42.67 cubic feet. Divide any stack volume by 42.67 to get face cord count.

Can I calculate cords from volume in cubic meters?

Yes. One full cord equals 3.6246 cubic meters. Divide your stack volume in cubic meters by 3.6246 to get the cord count. This calculator accepts cubic meters and converts automatically.

Why does my stack measure less than a full cord?

Loose stacking, uneven log lengths, and large gaps between rows reduce the solid wood volume inside the pile. For buying or selling firewood, stacks should be tightly arranged with uniform 16-inch or 24-inch log lengths.

Report