Firewood Calculator

A firewood calculator converts a stack's length, height, and split length into cords, the standard firewood volume unit. It multiplies the three dimensions to get cubic feet, then divides by 128, the volume of a full cord. An 8 ft long, 4 ft high stack of 16 in. splits is about one third of a cord.

Last reviewed September 2026Method & sources Report an error

Cords

0.333

Breakdown
Cords	0.333
Stack Volume	42.67 cu ft

How to Calculate Firewood

A standard cord is a stack measuring 4 ft high x 8 ft long x 4 ft deep (the depth matching a piece cut to a standard 4 ft length), for 128 cubic feet total. This calculator instead lets you enter your actual stack's length, height, and the split length you're using, which sets the stack's depth. It multiplies the three together for the pile's true volume, then divides by 128 to convert to cords. This is useful because a 16 in. split stacked 4 ft high only fills 1/3 of a full cord's depth, the common "face cord" or "rick" measurement firewood sellers also use.

Example: 8 ft long, 4 ft high stack of 16 in. splits

An 8 ft long, 4 ft high stack of 16 in. splits: 1. Stack depth (from split length): 16 ÷ 12 ≈ 1.333 ft 2. Volume: 8 × 4 × 1.333 ≈ 42.67 cu ft 3. Cords: 42.67 ÷ 128 ≈ 0.333 That's about 1/3 of a standard cord, which is what's commonly called a "face cord" or "rick" at a 16 in. split length.

Firewood: Compare Scenarios

Scenario	Cords	Stack Volume
Small (4×4 ft stack, 16 in. splits)	0.167	21.33 cu ft
Medium (8×4 ft stack, 16 in. splits)	0.333	42.67 cu ft
Large (16×4 ft stack, 16 in. splits)	0.667	85.33 cu ft

What Is Firewood?

A firewood calculator converts a stacked pile's actual dimensions into cords, the standard firewood volume unit. It accounts for the fact that shorter splits (commonly 16 in., versus a full cord's 4 ft depth) fill a fraction of a full cord for the same length and height of stack. It is a common point of confusion when buying or estimating firewood by the "face cord" or "rick."

Firewood: Pros and Cons

Pros

Correctly accounts for split length, which determines a stack's depth and is the source of the common "face cord" confusion
Works for any stack dimensions, not just a standard full-cord-sized pile
Gives both cords and raw cubic feet, useful depending on which figure you or your supplier uses

Cons

A stacked cord measurement assumes reasonably tight, consistent stacking. A loosely thrown or very irregular pile holds less actual wood than the same outer dimensions of a neatly stacked pile
"Face cord" and "rick" aren't standardized terms. They're commonly understood as a stack the height and length of a full cord but only as deep as one split length. Always confirm what a specific seller means by these terms
Doesn't account for wood species or moisture content, which affect firewood's heat output and burn quality but not its stacked volume

Firewood: What a Pro Checks

Stack firewood tightly and consistently before measuring it. A loosely thrown or irregular pile holds less actual wood than the same outer dimensions of a neatly stacked one.
Confirm exactly what your seller means by "face cord" or "rick" before buying. Those terms aren't strictly standardized, and this calculator's assumption (full-cord height and length, one split deep) may not match every seller's usage.
Check wood species and moisture content separately from this stacked-volume figure. They affect how much heat and burn quality you get per cord, not how much volume the pile takes up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many cubic feet are in a cord of firewood?

128 cubic feet. A standard cord is defined as a stack measuring 4 ft high x 8 ft long x 4 ft deep.

What is a face cord of firewood?

A stack the same height and length as a full cord (commonly 4 ft x 8 ft) but only as deep as one piece of wood, often 16 in. That makes a face cord about 1/3 of a full cord's total volume. "Face cord" isn't a strictly standardized term, so confirm what a specific seller means by it.

How much firewood do I need for a season?

It varies widely by climate, house size, and how much you rely on wood heat versus another heat source. Many households in a cold climate using wood as a primary heat source use 3-5 full cords per season, though this is highly situational.

Does split length affect how much firewood I'm getting?

Yes, if you're comparing stacks. A stack of 12 in. splits at the same height and length as a stack of 24 in. splits contains half as much actual wood volume, since the piece length determines the stack's depth.

How is firewood sold, by the cord or by weight?

Most commonly by volume (full cord, face cord, or a fraction of a cord), though some suppliers sell by weight instead. A weight-based figure varies by wood species and moisture content, so it isn't directly comparable to a cord measurement without knowing those details.

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