How to calculate cords of firewood
Multiply the stack's length × height × depth in feet and divide by 128. In US weights and measures law, a cord is the amount of wood in a space of 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed.[1]
- Length of the row, end to end.
- Height, averaged over a few spots, since piles settle unevenly.
- Depth, which for one row is the length of the pieces: 16 in is 1.33 ft.
cords = length (ft) × height (ft) × depth (ft) ÷ 128
Example: 8 × 4 ft of 16 inch pieces = 8 × 4 × 1.33 = 42.7 cu ft ÷ 128 = 0.33 cords. Two rows side by side are 0.67 cords.
Face cords, ricks and racks
A "face cord" is a single row 4 ft high and 8 ft long, so its size depends on the piece length: with 16 inch pieces it is one-third of a cord.[2][3]
| Piece length | Cubic feet | Fraction of a cord | Rows per cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 32 | 0.25 | 4 |
| 16 in | 42.7 | 0.333 | 3 |
| 18 in | 48 | 0.375 | 2.67 |
| 24 in | 64 | 0.5 | 2 |
| 48 in | 128 | 1 | 1 |
Because the size varies, the model US regulation says firewood is sold by the cord and fractions of a cord, or by the cubic meter, and that terms such as "face cord," "rack," "pile" or "truckload" shall not be used.[1] States that adopt it hold sellers to that, so ask for the amount in cords.
How much wood is in a cord?
A cord is 128 cubic feet of space, but much of it is air between the pieces: an average Lake States cord holds about 79 cubic feet of solid wood, or about 92 with the bark.[2] Crooked or split pieces stack looser and hold less wood.
Checking a firewood delivery
Stack the wood tightly, measure it, and compare the cords with what you paid for: enter your price per cord in the calculator to see what the stack is worth.
| Stack | Cubic feet | Cords | Cubic meters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 × 4 ft, one row | 42.7 | 0.33 | 1.21 |
| 8 × 4 ft, three rows | 128 | 1 | 3.62 |
| 16 × 4 ft, one row | 85.3 | 0.67 | 2.42 |
| 20 × 5 ft, one row | 133.3 | 1.04 | 3.78 |
| 10 × 4 ft, one row of 24 in | 80 | 0.63 | 2.27 |
Thrown, not stacked?The cord is defined for wood that is ranked and well stowed. A loose heap takes up more space than the same wood stacked, so stack it before you measure.
Metric: cubic meters of firewood
One cord is 128 cu ft = 3.62 m³, and the US regulation allows sale by the cubic meter.[1][4] Switch the calculator to Meters & cm to enter the stack in meters and the piece length in centimeters.
Frequently asked questions
How many cubic feet are in a cord of wood?
128 cubic feet of stacked wood, for example 8 ft long, 4 ft high and 4 ft deep.[1]
How much is a face cord of wood?
One row 4 ft high and 8 ft long, as deep as the pieces are long. With 16 inch pieces it is 42.7 cu ft, one-third of a cord.[2]
How many face cords are in a cord?
Three with 16 inch pieces, 2.67 with 18 inch pieces and 2 with 24 inch pieces.
How do I measure a cord of wood?
Stack it tightly, then multiply length × height × depth in feet and divide by 128.