Cord of Wood Calculator
Wondering how to calculate a cord of wood for your fireplace or wood stove? Our free cord of wood calculator provides instant estimates of total cords, face cords (based on your log length), and total weight. Whether you're buying firewood, splitting logs, or planning winter fuel, this tool follows US standards.
Cord & Face Cord Calculator
Enter your stacked pile dimensions (length, width, height). Width = depth of the stack. For irregular piles, measure average dimensions.
📦 Total cubic feet: —
🌲 Full cords (128 cu ft): —
🔥 Face cords (based on log length): —
📏 Equivalent stacked wood volume: —
*1 full cord = 128 ft³ (8'L × 4'W × 4'H). Face cord volume = 4'×8'×(log length/12).
Cord of Wood Weight Calculator
Estimate total weight based on wood species and moisture content. Perfect for truck capacity planning or comparing firewood value.
⚖️ Total weight (estimated): —
🛻 Pounds (lbs) / Tons (US): —
Based on total cubic feet from your dimensions above. Dry hardwoods provide higher BTU/lb.Tree cord estimator (exclusive)
Quick estimate: how many cords in a standing tree? Use diameter at breast height (DBH) for hardwood.
🌳 Approximate cords: —
Pro checklist: avoid cord confusion (2026)
- Measure stacked wood, not loose thrown
- Confirm full cord = 128 cu ft (8'x4'x4')
- Face cord volume depends on log length
- Always ask for “net cord” when buying
- Dry weight vs green: fresh wood can weigh 30%+ more
- Use our calculator before delivery to verify
Firewood weight & BTU reference (US 2026)
| Wood species | Dry weight (lbs/cord) | BTU per cord (million) | Seasoning time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak (red/white) | ~4400 | 24-26 | 12-18 months |
| Maple (sugar) | ~4300 | 24 | 12 months |
| Birch | ~4000 | 21-23 | 12 months |
| Ash | ~3800 | 20-22 | 8-12 months |
| Pine (softwood) | ~2800 | 14-16 | 6-9 months |
*Values are averages; actual weight depends on moisture and local growth. Use our weight calculator with your cord volume.
How to calculate cords of wood: step-by-step
- Stack neatly – Arrange logs in a rectangular pile with minimal gaps.
- Measure length, width, height in feet and inches (use our dimension inputs).
- Calculate cubic feet – multiply length × width × height.
- Divide by 128 → full cords of wood. Example: 256 ft³ ÷ 128 = 2 cords.
- For face cords: divide total cubic feet by (4 ft × 8 ft × log length in ft). Our tool does it instantly.
- Weight estimation – multiply cord volume by density per cubic foot (species + moisture).
Pro tip 2026: Many sellers advertise "face cords" but charge near full-cord prices. Always calculate the actual volume using our cord of wood measurement calculator before finalizing a deal.
Original insight: measuring odd-shaped piles
For conical or irregular piles (common with loggers), measure average width, length, and height. Use the “midpoint” method: measure at half the height for width and length. Alternatively, if the pile is rounded, multiply length × width × height × 0.8 (packing factor). Our calculator uses the rectangle formula for stacked wood; for thrown loose wood, reduce total cords by ~10–15% due to air gaps.
2026 update: New ASTM standards for firewood retail suggest using net cord volume. TotalCalcHub aligns with these guidelines.
Frequently asked questions — cord of wood
A full cord is 128 cubic feet, typically stacked as 8 ft long × 4 ft high × 4 ft deep.
Measure L×W×H (in feet), get cubic feet, then divide by 128. Use our cord of wood calculator for instant results.
A face cord is 8 ft long × 4 ft high × depth of logs (commonly 16 in). 3 face cords = 1 full cord if logs are 16".
A 20-inch diameter hardwood tree with 40 ft usable height yields about 0.6–0.8 cords. Use our tree estimator above.
It uses verified dry wood densities (lb/ft³) from US Forest Service data, with moisture multipliers. For exact weight, always test a sample.
Yes, simply enter the truck bed or pile dimensions. The calculator gives full cords, face cords, and weight estimates.
No, it's 100% free, no sign-up required.