Lumber & Material
Cord of Firewood Calculator
Convert stacked volume to face cord, full cord, cubic feet, and approximate weight — by species.
Calculator
0.6 loose, 0.75 typical hand-stack, 0.85 mechanical.
Oak ~38, Maple ~35, Pine ~22, Birch ~30.
What makes this different
Standard cord calculators assume a tight stack. This one lets you set a 'stack density factor' (0.6–0.9) because real firewood piles have air gaps. It also gives you a season-dry weight estimate for heat-value planning.
Who it's for & when to use it
Buying firewood; checking a delivered load; sizing a wood stove's annual consumption.
How to use
- Enter the dimensions of your material or the parameters of your project.
- Adjust the optional knobs (waste factor, kerf, planer allowance) to match your shop practice.
- Click Calculate and read the output. Use the per-item breakdown for ordering, the totals for budgeting.
- Compare the result to your lumber yard's quote — the effective $/BF column is the apples-to-apples number.
Formula: Solid wood volume = stacked volume × density. Weight = solid volume × species density. A full cord = 128 ft³ stacked (≈ 85 ft³ solid).
Notes & tips from the shop
- A 'full cord' is 128 ft³ of stacked wood: 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft. A 'face cord' is the same stack height and depth but only 16 in long — not a regulated unit.
- Seasoned firewood has 15–20 % moisture; freshly cut is 40–60 %. Density values above assume seasoned wood.
- Air gaps matter for burning, not just volume — too dense a stack won't dry.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my 'cord' smaller than 128 ft³?
If it's sold as a 'face cord' or 'rick', it's usually 1/3 of a cord. Ask the seller for the actual stacked dimensions.
Is pine really cheaper to burn?
Pine is cheaper to buy and splits easily, but its BTU/lb is roughly half that of oak. By weight, oak is a better deal even at higher per-cord cost.
How much will I burn per winter?
A typical home uses 3–5 cords/year for supplemental heat, 6–10 cords for primary heat in cold climates.
Limitations
Does not compute BTU output or moisture content. Stack density is an estimate; true void fraction depends on piece shape.
All calculations happen in your browser — nothing you type is sent to a server.