How this firewood cord calculator works
Firewood is sold by the cord, a measure of stacked volume. A full cord is 128 cubic feet — the volume of a tidy pile 4 feet high, 4 feet deep and 8 feet long (4 × 4 × 8 = 128). That figure includes the wood and the air gaps between the logs, and it is the standard legal definition for selling firewood across the United States and Canada.
To find how many cords you have, the math is just volume = length × height × depth. The depth of a firewood stack is the length of the logs — so a stack of 16-inch logs is 16 in (1.33 ft) deep. Multiply the three dimensions in the same units to get cubic feet, then divide by 128 to get full cords. This tool converts inches and centimeters to feet for you, multiplies across several identical stacks if you set a quantity, and shows the result as a decimal number of cords plus a plain-English fraction.
It also reports the figure in face cords. A face cord is a 4-by-8-foot stack only one log deep, so its volume — and how it relates to a full cord — depends on the log length. For the common 16-inch log a face cord is about 42.7 cubic feet, exactly one third of a full cord; for 24-inch logs it is half a cord. Because of this, the words face cord and rick vary by region and log length, while the full cord of 128 cubic feet is the one truly standard unit.
Reference note: a full cord is defined as 128 cubic feet (4 × 4 × 8 ft) and 1 cubic meter ≈ 35.3147 cubic feet. Stacked-volume measures include air gaps, so loosely thrown ("loose-thrown") piles hold less solid wood than a neatly stacked cord. Always confirm the log length, because face cord and rick are informal terms whose size changes with it.
Face cord size by log length
| Log length | Face cord volume | Fraction of a full cord |
|---|---|---|
| 12 in (1.0 ft) | ~32 cu ft | ~1/4 cord |
| 16 in (1.33 ft) | ~42.7 cu ft | ~1/3 cord |
| 24 in (2.0 ft) | ~64 cu ft | ~1/2 cord |
Frequently asked questions
- How big is a cord of wood?
- A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked wood — a neat pile 4 feet high, 4 feet deep and 8 feet long (4 × 4 × 8 = 128). That standard includes the air gaps between the logs and is the legal definition used for selling firewood in most of the US and Canada.
- What is a face cord?
- A face cord is a stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long but only as deep as the logs are long. For 16-inch logs that is 4 × 8 × 1.33 ≈ 42.7 cubic feet, one third of a full cord. Because the depth changes with log length, always ask how long the logs are.
- How do I calculate cords of firewood?
- Multiply the stack length × height × depth (the log length) for the volume in cubic feet, then divide by 128. For example 8 × 4 × 1.33 ≈ 42.7 cubic feet is about 0.33 of a full cord. This calculator does the math and also shows the result as face cords.
- How much wood is in my stack?
- Measure the length, height and depth in the same units, multiply them for the volume, and compare to 128 cubic feet per full cord. A neatly stacked pile gives the most accurate figure; loose piles hold more air and less actual wood than their outer dimensions suggest.
- What is the difference between a full cord and a rick?
- A full cord is the standard 128 cubic feet (4 × 4 × 8 ft). A rick, like a face cord, is a 4-by-8-foot stack only one log deep, so its size depends on the log length and is usually less than a full cord. Rick and face cord are informal terms that vary by region — confirm the dimensions.
- How much firewood do I need for winter?
- It depends on your climate, home and how you burn. As a rough guide, heating a home primarily with wood through a cold winter may take 3 to 5 full cords, while occasional fireplace use might need only 1 to 2 cords. Buy seasoned, dry wood and store it covered.