Firewood is a popular fuel source for wood stoves and fireplaces. Knowing how much firewood is in a cord and how to properly store it is important for getting the most value from your wood supply. This comprehensive guide provides key information on firewood measurements, storage methods, and tips for keeping your firewood dry and ready to burn.
What is a Cord of Wood?
A cord is the standard unit of measurement for firewood in the United States and Canada. A cord of wood measures 4 feet wide x 4 feet high x 8 feet long, equaling 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked firewood.
A cord of seasoned firewood typically weighs around 2,000 to 4,000 pounds depending on tree species and moisture content. Softwoods like pine weigh on the lighter end of the scale, while hardwoods like oak are heavier per cord.
Full Cord vs Face Cord vs Rick
There are some variations in how firewood can be measured:
- Full cord – A full cord measures 4x4x8 feet for a total of 128 cubic feet of wood and air space. This is the total volume of the stack.
- Face cord – A face cord is 4×8 feet stacked up to any height. This measures the face area of the stack, not the total volume. The length of the logs may vary. Face cords are a less standardized unit than full cords.
- Rick – A rick is 1/3 of a full cord, measuring 4x4x16 inches. This equals roughly 1.2 cubic meters or 43 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood.
When purchasing firewood, it’s important to specify the type of cord to know exactly how much wood volume you are getting. Full cords are the best value.
How Much Wood is in a Cord?
The amount of actual wood contained in a cord can vary based on how the logs are split, stacked and packed.
- Tightly packed, well-split firewood will contain more wood per cubic foot.
- Loosely thrown logs with lots of air gaps will have less wood volume per cord.
- Large unsplit rounds contain less wood because they don’t stack neatly and leave more air pockets.
On average, a tightly packed full cord of firewood contains 60-90 cubic feet of solid wood if well-split and stacked. The rest is air space.
For commonly sold firewood like oak and maple, you can expect around 70 cubic feet of solid wood content per 128 cubic foot cord. Softwoods may contain slightly more volume of actual wood.
Estimating Actual Firewood Amounts
To estimate how much solid firewood is in a cord:
- Stack the firewood tightly and measure the height, width and depth in feet. This gives the total cubic feet.
- Subtract around 30% to account for air space. This gives an estimate of solid wood cubic feet.
- Divide by 17-20 to calculate how many logs are included, on average.
So for a tightly packed 4x4x8 foot stack (128 cubic feet):
- Subtract 30%: 128 x 0.7 = 90 cubic feet solid wood
- At 17 cubic feet per log, this equals around 5-6 logs.
These estimates will vary based on log size, shape, and stacking. But it helps give a rough idea of how much actual firewood is contained in a full cord.
Factors That Affect Wood Volume per Cord
Several factors influence the amount of wood contained in a given volume like a cord:
Log Length
- Longer logs tend to pack tighter and contain more wood volume per cord.
- Shorter log lengths leave more air gaps so there is less wood for the same stack size.
Splitting
- Well-split logs pack together neatly to maximize wood content per cubic foot.
- Unsplit rounds or large splits leave more empty space when stacked.
Stack Tightness
- Tight, interlaced stacking with aligned edges contains more wood volume per stack.
- Loosely thrown or randomly piled logs contain more air space per cord.
Wood Moisture
- Dry wood is lighter and takes up less space pound for pound than wet wood.
- A cord of seasoned dry wood weighs less but contains more energy output per pound compared to wet wood.
Log Shape
- Straight, uniform logs stack better than twisted or knotted pieces.
- Smooth barked species like maple or poplar occupy less space than textured/ridged bark like oak.
By optimizing these factors, you can maximize the amount of actual firewood contained in a measured volume like a cord.
Average Firewood Amounts Per Cord by Tree Species
The average density and weight per cord also varies by tree species. Some examples for seasoned firewood:
- Osage orange: 4,800 pounds per cord
- Hickory: 4,000 pounds per cord
- White oak: 4,000 pounds per cord
- Hard maple: 3,500 pounds per cord
- Red oak: 3,400 pounds per cord
- Ash: 3,350 pounds per cord
- Sugar maple: 3,150 pounds per cord
- Black locust: 3,100 pounds per cord
- Elm: 3,000 pounds per cord
- Yellow birch: 2,800 pounds per cord
- Red maple: 2,700 pounds per cord
- Douglas fir: 2,600 pounds per cord
- Cherry: 2,350 pounds per cord
- White birch: 2,300 pounds per cord
- Hemlock: 2,100 pounds per cord
- Spruce: 1,800 pounds per cord
- Poplar: 1,700 pounds per cord
- Pine: 1,600 pounds per cord
Hardwoods like oak, hickory, and maple contain more wood pound for pound than softer woods like pine, poplar, or conifers. But moisture content has a major impact on actual weight per cord.
How Much Wood is in a Face Cord or Rick?
Face cords and ricks contain less total wood volume than a full 128 cubic foot cord:
- A face cord is 4×8 feet, totaling 32 cubic feet. This commonly contains around 1/3 to 1/2 of a full cord depending on length.
- A rick is 4x4x16 inches, totaling 43 cubic feet. This equals roughly 1/3 of a full cord.
- Two face cord pieces are approximately equal to one full cord.
- Three ricks equal about one full cord.
It’s important to note that face cords are not a standardized measurement, so the actual amount of wood can vary significantly based on log length and stacking. Full cords or fractional cords are a better unit for consistent firewood volumes.
Firewood Density Table Per Cord
This table gives typical densities per cord for common firewood species when seasoned at around 15-20% moisture content:
| Tree Species | Pounds Per Cord |
|-|-|
| Osage Orange | 4,800 |
| Hickory | 4,000 |
| White Oak | 3,800 |
| Hard Maple | 3,500 |
| Red Oak | 3,400 |
| Ash | 3,350 |
| Sugar Maple | 3,150 |
| Black Locust | 3,100 |
| Elm | 3,000 |
| Yellow Birch | 2,800 |
| Red Maple | 2,700 |
| Douglas Fir | 2,600 |
| Cherry | 2,350 |
| White Birch | 2,300 |
| Hemlock | 2,100 |
| Spruce | 1,800 |
| Poplar | 1,700 |
| Pine | 1,600 |
Hardwoods have a higher density than softwoods in general. But moisture content can significantly influence actual weight per cord. Wet wood is heavier.
Average Log Content Per Cord
On average, one tightly packed full cord of well-stacked firewood contains:
- 60-100 cubic feet of solid wood
- 128 cubic feet of wood and airspace
- 5-8 full sized logs if split
- 15-25 logs if quarter split
The actual amount varies based on log size, splitting, and how tightly the wood is stacked. Smaller pieces occupy less space per cord.
Firewood Cord Calculator
You can use this firewood calculator to convert between full cords, face cords, ricks, pounds, and other units:
Firewood Calculator:
- Full Cords: [_]
- Face Cords: [_]
- Cubic Feet: [_]
- Cubic Meters: [_]
- Ricks: [_]
- Logs: [_]
- Pounds: [_]
[Convert Firewood]
This calculator lets you input any unit and convert between the other measurements. Just enter the value in one field and it will populate the equivalent amounts.
How Long Does a Cord of Wood Last for Heating?
How long a full cord of firewood lasts for heating depends on several variables:
- Type of wood stove or fireplace
- Size of area being heated
- Climate and weather patterns
- Wood type and moisture content
On average, however, a standard full cord of seasoned hardwood provides the following burn times:
- Modern wood stove: Up to 60 days for average home heating needs
- Older wood stove: 20-30 days
- High-efficiency fireplace: 30-45 days
- Conventional fireplace: 15-20 days
For the average home, you can expect 1-3 full cords per year depending on climate, wood type, and stove efficiency. Softwoods burn faster than hardwoods as well.
Properly seasoned wood with a moisture content below 20% provides more heat output per cord than wet or green wood.
Tips for Stacking Firewood
Stacking firewood in a structured way makes it dry faster and can protect it from the elements. Here are some tips:
- Stack on log or pallet supports to elevate off wet ground. Allow air circulation under the stack.
- Build crisscross stacks in compact rows using the log ends to hold up neighboring pieces. This uses space efficiently and allows airflow.
- Cap the top of the stack with pallets or tarps to keep rain and snow out while allowing airflow from the sides.
- Store in an open structure or shelter to protect from rain and sun but don’t fully enclose. Allow drying airflow.
- Keep different types and lengths of wood separated for easy access.
- Make narrow rows 4-6 feet across for stability. Wider rows can collapse.
Proper stacking drastically speeds up drying time compared to loosely thrown piles. It also keeps your firewood clean and minimizes rotting.
Best Way to Store Firewood
Follow these tips for proper storage and seasoning of firewood:
Location
- Store your wood stack in an open shed, under a canopy, or with a tarp cover to protect from rain and snow. Allow for airflow around the stacks.
- Avoid shaded areas near trees or buildings. Direct sun and wind exposure help the wood dry faster.
Stack Structure
- Stack neatly in a criss-cross or log cabin pattern. This builds a stable, interlocking structure.
- Elevate wood stacks on log or pallet foundations to prevent ground contact and rotting.
- Cap the top with pallets or metal to keep rain out but allow airflow.
Moisture Management
- Splitting wood speeds drying since moisture only needs to evaporate from the cut surfaces.
- Cut and split wood at least 6 months in advance of burning to allow full seasoning time.
- Keep different batches of wood separated so newer wet logs don’t re-wet the seasoned wood.
- Check moisture meters periodically to test when wood is fully seasoned under 20% moisture content.
With the right conditions, wood can fully dry within 6-12 months. Proper storage makes all the difference.
Firewood Storage Structures
Here are some ideal storage solutions for keeping firewood dry and organized:
Firewood Shed
A simple open front wood shed provides covered storage while allowing for airflow. Use a tarp to cover the front in bad weather.
Sheltered Stacks
Stacks under the shelter of a porch roof or covered walkway keep wood dry while still getting wind exposure.
Pallet Foundation
Elevating stacks on a pallet or log base prevents ground contact and rotting from moisture.
Holz Hausen
Holz hausen are compact circular stacks built around a center pole for stability. These allow lots of airflow.
Log Cabin Stack
Crisscross stacking interlocks the pieces into a solid “log cabin” style formation with lots of structural integrity.
The optimal firewood storage allows moisture to escape while protecting from rain and snow. Stable stacking also keeps wood neat and accessible.
Seasoning and Drying Firewood
Properly seasoning firewood is crucial to ensure good burning quality and heat output. Here are tips on drying methods:
- Split logs soon after cutting to expose inner moisture and cut drying time in half compared to rounds.
- Season wood outdoors through full sun and wind exposure for 6-12 months depending on climate.
- Stack in a stable log cabin or crisscross pattern for air circulation.
- Elevate stacks on pallet or log bases to prevent ground contact and rotting.
- Cover the tops of stacks with pallets or tarps to keep off rain but allow open sides.
- Separate newer unseasoned logs from seasoned stock.
- Test seasoned wood moisture levels with a meter before burning. 20% moisture or less is ideal.
Proper drying or seasoning of firewood requires patience but results in cleaner, hotter burning wood. Starting the process well in advance is key.
Firewood Moisture Meters
A wood moisture meter is a useful tool for testing when firewood is fully seasoned and ready to burn most efficiently. The meter uses probes to detect moisture levels inside split logs.
Look for a moisture meter designed for firewood. The scale should read from at least 6% to 40% moisture content. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best accuracy.
Test a few logs across a stack when seasoning is nearly complete. The readings should be 20% moisture or less when ready to burn.
Meters cost $20-50 depending on quality. This small investment can optimize your wood heating ability and prevent wasting money on unseasoned wood.
When to Start Seasoning Wood for Winter
It’s best to start seasoning wood for winter use at least 6-12 months in advance. Here are some timelines:
- If buying split, seasoned wood in summer/fall, it should be ready for winter use if properly stored.
- For drying and splitting your own wood, start the process in early spring to prep for next winter.
- Cut, split, and stack green wood in the winter/spring months for use the following winter.
- If drying wood over the summer, have it split and stacked by early spring at the latest.
- When buying wood in winter for immediate use, look for properly seasoned and dry wood marked 20% or less moisture content.
With some planning and preparation, you can have fully seasoned and dry firewood ready in time for winter heating. Starting early maximizes drying time for quality firewood. Test moisture levels before burning.
Firewood Storage Safety Tips
Follow these guidelines to safely store firewood:
- Locate stacks at least 30 feet from any building or trees to prevent pest or termite infestation and fire hazards.
- Clear brush and flammable debris within a 10 foot perimeter around wood stacks.
- Avoid using plastic tarps directly on wood piles which can trap moisture and cause mold, mildew, and decay. Use breathable covers.
- Install warning signs if stacks are near walking paths or play areas to avoid dangerous collapse.
- Wear protective gloves and eyewear when handling firewood to avoid splinters, blisters, and eye injuries from debris. Use proper lifting technique.
- Keep firewood stacks away from power lines or other overhead hazards.
Proper firewood storage location and safety precautions will help prevent injuries, decay, and fire risks around your property.
Is it Cheaper to Buy or Cut Your Own Firewood?
Cutting and preparing your own firewood can save money compared to buying cords of seasoned firewood if you have access to logs. Here is a comparison:
Buying pre-made cords
- Costs $100 to $350+ per full cord delivered depending on location
- Convenient, no labor required
- Wood is cut, split, stacked and seasoned
Cutting your own
- Raw wood is cheaper, $50-100 per cord standing timber
- Requires own labor to cut, haul, split, stack, and season
- Can customize log length preferences
Verdict
Cutting your own is cheaper but more labor intensive. Buying pre-made cords costs more yet saves time and effort. Both have advantages depending on your situation.
If you have timber access, the right tools, and time to season wood, cutting your own is often the better value. For those short on time or equipment, pre-made cords may be worth the premium cost.
Firewood Cord Prices by Location
Firewood prices per cord vary greatly based on your geographic location. Here are some average ranges:
Northeast
- New England States: $225-$350 per cord
- Mid-Atlantic: $180-$225 per cord
Midwest
- Northern: $150-$200 per cord
- Southern: $125-$175 per cord
South
- Southeast: $125-$225 per cord
- Southwest: $175-$250 per cord
West
- Pacific Northwest: $200-$300 per cord
- California: $250-$350 per cord
- Mountain States: $150-$250 per cord
Shipping costs increase prices farther from timber producing regions. Shopping around and buying in bulk can