Wood Cord Calculator
Calculate Firewood Volume
Enter the dimensions of your stacked firewood to calculate the total volume in cubic feet and the number of cords.
Chart comparing your stack’s volume to a full cord.
| Dimension | Input Value | Unit | Value in Feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 4 | feet | 4 |
| Height | 4 | feet | 4 |
| Length | 8 | feet | 8 |
| Total Volume (cu ft) | 128 | ||
Dimensions converted to feet and total volume.
Understanding the Wood Cord Calculator
This wood cord calculator helps you determine the volume of your firewood stack in cubic feet and how many cords that represents. A wood cord is a standard unit of measure for firewood and pulpwood in North America.
What is a Wood Cord?
A wood cord is a legally defined volume of stacked firewood. To be a full wood cord, the wood must be stacked neatly (not just thrown in a pile) and occupy a volume of 128 cubic feet. The most common dimensions for a stacked wood cord are 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long (4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft = 128 cubic feet).
Anyone buying or selling firewood should use the wood cord as a unit of measurement to ensure fair trade. Homeowners heating with wood, firewood suppliers, and forestry professionals regularly deal with the wood cord measurement.
A common misconception is that a “face cord” or “rick” is the same as a full wood cord. A face cord typically has the same height and length (4 ft x 8 ft) but the width is only the length of the individual firewood pieces (e.g., 16 inches or 24 inches), making it significantly less volume than a full wood cord.
Wood Cord Formula and Mathematical Explanation
The calculation for the volume of a stack of wood and the number of cords is straightforward:
- Convert all dimensions to feet: If you measure in inches, divide by 12 to convert to feet.
- Calculate the total volume: Multiply the width, height, and length of the stack (all in feet) to get the volume in cubic feet.
Volume (cu ft) = Width (ft) × Height (ft) × Length (ft) - Calculate the number of cords: Divide the total volume in cubic feet by 128 (since one wood cord is 128 cubic feet).
Number of Cords = Volume (cu ft) / 128
Variables Table
| Variable | Meaning | Unit | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width (W) | The width of the stacked firewood. | feet (ft) / inches (in) | 2 – 8 ft |
| Height (H) | The height of the stacked firewood. | feet (ft) / inches (in) | 2 – 6 ft |
| Length (L) | The length of the stacked firewood row. | feet (ft) / inches (in) | 4 – 50 ft |
| Volume | Total space occupied by the stack. | cubic feet (cu ft) | 16 – 1000+ cu ft |
| Cords | Number of standard wood cords. | cords | 0.1 – 8+ |
Practical Examples (Real-World Use Cases)
Example 1: Standard Stack
You have stacked firewood 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long.
- Width = 4 ft
- Height = 4 ft
- Length = 8 ft
- Volume = 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft = 128 cu ft
- Cords = 128 cu ft / 128 = 1 wood cord
This is exactly one full wood cord.
Example 2: Long, Short Stack
You have a row of firewood stacked along a fence. It is 3 feet high, the wood pieces are 16 inches long (so the stack is 16 inches wide), and the row is 24 feet long.
- Width = 16 inches = 16/12 = 1.333 ft
- Height = 3 ft
- Length = 24 ft
- Volume = 1.333 ft × 3 ft × 24 ft = 96 cu ft (approx.)
- Cords = 96 cu ft / 128 = 0.75 wood cords (or 3/4 of a wood cord)
This stack contains three-quarters of a wood cord.
How to Use This Wood Cord Calculator
- Enter Stack Dimensions: Input the measured width, height, and length of your neatly stacked firewood into the respective fields.
- Select Units: For each dimension, select whether you measured in feet or inches using the dropdown menu next to the input field.
- View Results: The calculator automatically updates and displays the total volume in cubic feet and the number of cords. The primary result shows the number of cords. Intermediate results show the total cubic feet and the dimensions converted to feet.
- Analyze Chart and Table: The chart visually compares your stack’s volume to a full wood cord (128 cu ft). The table summarizes your inputs and their conversion to feet.
- Reset or Copy: Use the “Reset” button to clear inputs to default values or “Copy Results” to copy the main findings.
When buying or selling, ensure the wood is stacked neatly for an accurate wood cord measurement. Large air gaps reduce the actual amount of wood.
Key Factors That Affect Wood Cord Volume
While the calculator gives a geometric volume, the actual amount of wood in a wood cord can vary based on several factors:
- Stacking Method: Tightly stacked wood with minimal air gaps will contain more solid wood per wood cord than loosely stacked wood. Criss-cross stacking also reduces solid wood volume.
- Piece Length and Straightness: Uniform, straight pieces stack more tightly than crooked or irregular pieces, affecting the solid wood cord volume.
- Bark Thickness: Thick bark can take up space, reducing the actual wood content in the 128 cubic feet of a wood cord.
- Splitting: Split wood generally stacks more tightly than round logs, increasing the solid wood content per wood cord.
- Settling: Wood can settle after stacking, reducing the initial height and overall volume of the wood cord.
- Measurement Accuracy: Inaccurate measurements of the stack dimensions will lead to an incorrect wood cord calculation. Always measure in several places and average if the stack is uneven.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A full wood cord (or bush cord) is a stacked pile of wood occupying 128 cubic feet. Typically, this is a stack 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long.
A face cord or rick is a stack of wood 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but the width is only the length of the individual pieces of wood (e.g., 12, 16, or 24 inches). It’s less than a full wood cord.
It depends on the length of the pieces in the face cord. If the pieces are 16 inches long (1.33 ft), then three face cords (16″ wide x 4′ high x 8′ long) would be approximately one full wood cord (48″ or 4ft wide).
The weight of a wood cord varies greatly depending on the species of wood (density) and its moisture content (green vs. seasoned). It can range from 2,000 to over 5,000 pounds.
Buying by the wood cord (volume) is generally fairer, as weight is heavily influenced by moisture content. If buying by weight, ensure you know if it’s green or dry wood.
It’s very difficult to accurately estimate the wood cord volume of unstacked wood. It’s best to stack it first or agree on a volume based on the container it was loosely thrown into, understanding it will be less than if stacked.
If your stack’s height or width varies, take measurements at several points and average them to get a more accurate estimate for the wood cord calculation.
The wood cord is a measure of volume (128 cubic feet), regardless of wood type. However, the energy content (BTU) and weight of a wood cord will vary significantly between wood species. Check our firewood BTU chart for more.
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