Firewood Cord Calculator
Calculate firewood volume in cords.
Cords
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Firewood Cord Calculator: Measure Your Stack accurately
Calculate the exact volume of your stacked firewood in cords, face cords, and cubic feet. Ensure you get exactly what you pay for when buying winter wood.
Purchasing firewood is notoriously fraught with confusing terminology and inconsistent measurements. Vendors sell wood by the "truckload," "rick," or "face cord," leaving buyers unsure of how much fuel they are actually receiving. The Firewood Cord Calculator eliminates this ambiguity by converting the physical dimensions of your wood stack into the legally recognized, standardized measurement: the full cord. This ensures you never overpay for your winter fuel supply.
What is a Full Cord?
In the United States and Canada, firewood is legally sold by a unit of volume called a "cord." A standard, full cord of wood represents 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood, including the bark and the airspace between the logs.
The traditional dimensions of a full cord are 4 feet high, 4 feet deep (the length of the logs), and 8 feet long (4 x 4 x 8 = 128). If a seller delivers a pile of loose, unstacked wood, it will take up significantly more space (often estimated around 180 cubic feet) but will compress down to 128 cubic feet once properly stacked.
Face Cords and Ricks
Confusion arises when sellers use non-standard terms. A "Face Cord" (sometimes called a "rick") is a stack of wood that is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but the depth is only the length of a single log—typically 16 inches.
Because the standard log length is exactly one-third of the 4-foot depth of a full cord, a face cord is exactly one-third of a full cord (42.6 cubic feet). Understanding this distinction is critical, as paying full-cord prices for a face cord means you are overpaying by 300%.
How to Measure Your Stack
To use the calculator, wait until you have tightly stacked your delivered wood. Measure the height, the length of the stack, and the depth (which is the average length of the individual logs). Input these measurements into the tool in feet or inches.
The calculator will output the total cubic volume and instantly convert it into a decimal percentage of a full cord. If you are calculating the volume of wood to build a shed to house your firewood, you may also find our Board Foot Calculator helpful for estimating your lumber needs.
Tips for Proper Stacking
To ensure accurate measurements and optimal seasoning (drying), firewood must be stacked correctly. Logs should be stacked tightly together, parallel to each other. "Criss-cross" stacking creates massive air gaps, artificially inflating the volume of the stack and resulting in inaccurate cord measurements.
For more information on firewood regulations, invasive species transport restrictions, and legal measurement standards, consult the guidelines provided by your state or provincial Department of Agriculture or Weights and Measures division.
Expert Insights & FAQs
Quick answers to common questions about this utility.
Is a 'rick' the same as a cord?
No. A rick is a regional slang term that usually refers to a face cord (a stack 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 16 inches deep). It is roughly one-third of a true, full cord.
How much wood is in a pickup truck load?
A standard full-size pickup truck with an 8-foot bed stacked level to the top of the bed holds about one-half (1/2) of a full cord. A short bed truck holds significantly less, roughly one-third (1/3) of a cord.
Why does my wood shrink after a few months?
Green (freshly cut) wood contains a massive amount of water. As it seasons and dries out, the wood fibers physically contract. A tightly stacked cord of green wood can shrink by up to 10% in volume as it seasons.