Firewood Calculator

Turn a stack of wood into real numbers. Estimate how many cords you have, how much it weighs, how much heat it will produce, and what it’s worth — by species and moisture condition.

Firewood Stack Information

How this is calculated: Volume = Length × Width × Height. Cords = Volume ÷ 128 cubic feet (the standard full cord). Weight and heat output are then scaled by species-specific density and BTU values, adjusted for whether the wood is seasoned or green. Green wood carries extra water weight and loses roughly 30–40% of its usable heat to evaporating that moisture as it burns.

Disclaimer This calculator provides an estimate only. Actual weight, heat output, and value will vary based on: how tightly the wood is stacked (air gaps typically make up 20–40% of a pile’s volume), true moisture content, tree age and growing conditions, regional pricing, and how “cord,” “face cord,” or “rick” is defined in your area. This tool is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for a professional wood measurement or an in-person appraisal.

Understanding Firewood: Your Comprehensive Guide to Heating Smarter and Buying Wisely

Firewood is one of the oldest heating fuels in the world, and it’s still one of the most misunderstood purchases a homeowner makes. Sellers advertise “cords,” “face cords,” “ricks,” and “truckloads” almost interchangeably, moisture content is rarely disclosed, and the difference between a good deal and a bad one often comes down to math nobody bothered to do at the point of sale. Our Firewood Calculator exists to close that gap — converting a simple stack measurement into the numbers that actually matter: volume, weight, heat output, and value.

What Is a Cord of Firewood?

A full cord is a legally standardized unit of measure in most of the United States and Canada: a stack of wood measuring 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long, totaling 128 cubic feet. That number includes the air gaps between the logs, not just solid wood — a well-stacked cord is typically 60–70% solid wood by volume, with the rest being empty space that varies with how round, straight, and tightly packed the pieces are.

Confusion usually starts with the “face cord” (sometimes called a rick), which is only as deep as the individual logs are cut — often 16 to 18 inches — rather than the full 4 feet. A face cord of 16-inch logs is roughly one-third of a full cord, even though it’s stacked in the same 4-foot-by-8-foot footprint. Always clarify which measurement a seller is quoting before you compare prices.

The Real Cost of Heating with Firewood

The price on a firewood ad rarely tells the whole story. What you’re actually paying for is delivered heat, and that depends on species, dryness, and how the wood was measured. Two “cords” of wood at the same price can differ enormously in the heat they’ll actually produce:

• Density: Dense hardwoods like oak and hickory pack far more energy into the same stacked volume than softwoods like pine or cedar.
• Moisture content: Freshly cut, “green” wood can be 40–50% water by weight. Burning it wastes a large share of the fuel’s energy boiling off that water instead of heating your home — and it drives excess creosote into your chimney.
• Stacking accuracy: A loosely thrown “cord” delivered by truck can be well short of a true, tightly stacked 128 cubic feet.
• Regional pricing: Cord prices vary widely by region, species availability, and delivery distance.

Understanding BTUs and Wood Species

A British Thermal Unit (BTU) is the standard measure of heat energy, and firewood is typically rated in millions of BTUs per cord when fully seasoned. Species varies more than most buyers expect — a cord of well-seasoned oak or hickory can produce close to double the heat of an equal volume of pine or cedar.

Figures are widely cited industry approximations and will vary with tree age, growing region, and individual moisture content. Use them for planning and comparison, not as a certified assay.

How to Use Our Firewood Calculator

1. Measure the stack. Use a tape measure to record the length, width (depth), and height of the pile in feet. Measure to the outside faces of the stacked logs.
2. Select the wood species. Choose the closest match from the dropdown. If you’re not sure, “Mixed Hardwood” or “Other / Unknown” gives a reasonable middle estimate.
3. Choose the condition. Select “Seasoned” if the wood has air-dried for at least six months and feels light with visible end-grain cracking, or “Green” if it was recently cut and still feels heavy and damp.
4. Enter the price per cord. Use what you paid, or what a seller is asking, so the calculator can estimate total value.
5. Click Calculate. The tool converts your measurements into cubic feet, then into cords.
6. Review your results. Check the estimated weight, heat output in million BTU, and total value against what you were quoted or charged.
7. Compare before you buy. Run the numbers again with a different species or condition to compare heat-per-dollar across offers.

Seasoned vs. Green Firewood: Why It Matters

Freshly cut wood is loaded with water — often 40–50% of its total weight. Burning it wastes a substantial share of the fuel’s potential energy simply evaporating that moisture, which is why green wood hisses, smokes heavily, and is difficult to keep burning cleanly. It also produces far more creosote, the flammable residue responsible for the majority of chimney fires.

Seasoned firewood has typically dried outdoors, split and stacked off the ground with good airflow and sun exposure, for six months to a year or more depending on species and climate. Properly seasoned wood is noticeably lighter, has darker and more cracked end grain, and produces a sharper “clack” sound when two pieces are knocked together, rather than a dull thud.

How Much Firewood Do You Need for a Season?

Heating needs vary enormously with climate, home size, insulation, and whether wood is a primary or supplemental heat source. As a rough starting point, homes using wood as a primary heat source in a cold climate often burn 3 to 6 full cords per season, while occasional or supplemental use (a fireplace or single stove used a few nights a week) may only need ½ to 2 cords. Denser hardwoods stretch further than softwoods burned at the same rate, since more heat is packed into every cord.

Proper Firewood Storage and Stacking Tips

• Stack wood off bare ground on pallets, rails, or a raised rack to prevent moisture wicking up from the soil.
• Leave gaps between rows and don’t stack directly against a wall — airflow is what actually seasons wood.
• Cover only the top of the stack, leaving the sides open; fully tarping a pile traps moisture and slows drying.
• Split wood before stacking whenever possible — split pieces dry dramatically faster than whole rounds.
• Store only a few days’ worth near the house; larger piles close to a structure can invite pests.
• Rotate stock so older, more seasoned wood is burned first.
• Check local and state regulations before transporting firewood long distances — many regions restrict this to slow the spread of invasive pests.

Conclusion: Get More Heat for Your Money

Firewood pricing is opaque by default, but the underlying physics isn’t. A stack’s dimensions, species, and moisture content are enough to estimate what you’re really getting — in pounds, BTUs, and dollars — before you ever strike a match. Use the calculator above whenever you’re buying, selling, or simply sizing up your own woodpile for the season ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Firewood

What’s the difference between a full cord, a face cord, and a rick?

A full cord is 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft (128 cubic feet). A face cord (or rick) is only as deep as the log lengths — commonly 16 to 18 inches — stacked in the same 4-by-8 footprint, making it roughly a third to a half of a full cord. Always ask which measurement a seller means before comparing prices. How many cords will I need for the whole winter?

It depends heavily on climate, home size, insulation, and whether wood is your primary or supplemental heat. As a rough guide, primary wood heat in a cold climate often runs 3–6 cords per season, while occasional fireplace or stove use may only need ½–2 cords. Denser hardwoods stretch further per cord than softwoods. Which firewood species burns the hottest and longest?

Dense hardwoods top the list — hickory, oak, and sugar maple deliver the most heat per cord and burn down to coals slowly. Softwoods like pine and cedar burn faster and cooler, though they’re often easier to light and good for kindling or shoulder-season fires. How long does firewood need to season before it’s ready to burn?

Most species need six months to a year of proper outdoor drying, split and stacked with good airflow. Dense hardwoods like oak can need closer to a full year or more. Signs of readiness include a lighter weight, darker and cracked end grain, and a hollow “clack” when pieces are knocked together. Why is burning green (unseasoned) wood a problem?

Green wood can be 40–50% water by weight. A large share of the heat it releases gets spent evaporating that water rather than warming your home, which means more smoke, harder lighting, and significantly lower real-world heat output. It also builds creosote in the chimney much faster, raising the risk of a chimney fire. Should I buy firewood by weight or by volume?

Volume (the cord) is the standard legal unit of sale in most places, but weight is a useful cross-check — especially for comparing green versus seasoned wood of the same species, since seasoned wood weighs noticeably less for the same volume once the moisture has left it. How can I tell if I’m being sold a short cord?

Stack the delivered wood yourself and measure it: length × width × height in feet, divided by 128, should match what you were promised. Loosely thrown truckloads settle and compress once restacked, which is one of the most common ways buyers end up short. Can I transport firewood across state or county lines?

Often not without restriction. Many states and provinces limit how far firewood can be moved to slow the spread of invasive pests like the emerald ash borer and spotted lanternfly. Check local agricultural or forestry department rules before hauling wood any real distance, especially into a campground. Does splitting wood smaller help it season faster?

Yes. Splitting exposes more surface area and removes the bark’s natural moisture barrier on the cut faces, which speeds drying considerably compared to leaving rounds whole. Smaller splits also catch and burn more easily. What’s the best way to store a woodpile so it seasons properly?

Keep it off the ground on pallets or rails, leave the sides uncovered for airflow, cover only the top to shed rain and snow, and give the pile some sun and wind exposure. Fully tarping a stack traps moisture inside and can slow seasoning rather than help it. © 2026 Treeier.com. All rights reserved. This calculator and its content are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute professional forestry, safety, or purchasing advice. Unauthorized reproduction of this content is prohibited.