Firewood Cord Calculator
Measure ranked stacks, convert to full cords and show how face-cord equivalents change with log length.
Firewood Calculator inputs
Change any assumption and this calculator recomputes its own complete report. Invalid relationships are stopped before a result is shown.
Firewood Calculator results
How the firewood calculator works
The firewood calculator is built around this task’s actual formulas, choices and edge cases. Review the assumptions and interpretation before acting on the result.
Full-cord definition
The firewood calculator uses 128 cubic feet for one full cord of ranked and well-stowed wood, including normal air spaces. The familiar stack is eight feet by four feet by four feet, but any dimensions with the same product qualify by volume. Measure stacked wood rather than a loose dumped pile because loose volume contains a different proportion of air and cannot be converted with the same direct formula.
Measure one or several stacks
Enter the dimensions of one representative stack and the number of equal stacks. Calculate unequal stacks separately and add the full-cord values. The firewood calculator converts feet, inches, meters or centimeters internally. When the top is uneven, use a reasonable average height. Do not include pallets, walkways or unusually large voids that are not part of ordinary ranked stacking.
Face-cord depth
A face cord usually describes one eight-by-four-foot face, but depth equals the log length. Because pieces may be 12, 16, 18 or 24 inches, a face cord is not a fixed volume. The firewood calculator derives equivalents from the entered log length. With 16-inch pieces, three face cords equal one full cord by stacked volume. Local legal terminology should still be checked.
Piece-count estimate
Estimated pieces use average log diameter, length and a packing percentage. Split wood is irregular, diameters vary and stacking changes void space. The firewood calculator therefore labels piece count as approximate. It can help compare handling or storage needs, but it should not be used to certify a commercial delivery. Physical stack dimensions remain the stronger measure for cord volume.
Price comparison
Enter price per full cord to estimate total value. Normalize offers to full-cord volume before comparing a rack, face cord or pickup load. Delivery, stacking, species, moisture, seasoning and tax can affect value. The firewood calculator handles the geometry but cannot verify species mix or dryness. A cheaper partial stack may cost more per full-cord equivalent after depth is considered.
Practical verification
Stack wood safely on stable ground with suitable ventilation and separation from ignition hazards. Measure after delivery and stacking when possible. Photographs and written dimensions can document the transaction. Firewood sale rules vary, and some jurisdictions restrict ambiguous units. Use the full-cord result as a common comparison, then follow local weights-and-measures requirements for the actual sale.
Firewood Calculator questions
How large is a full cord?
It is 128 cubic feet of ranked and well-stowed firewood.
How many face cords equal one cord?
It depends on log length; at 16 inches the volume relationship is three to one.
Can a loose pile use this formula?
No. Loose and ranked volumes are not directly interchangeable.
Is piece count exact?
No. It is an approximation from average size and packing.