Guide · matched to the cord of wood calculator
Firewood pricing: cord vs face cord, with worked examples
In US weights-and-measures practice, a cord is 128 cubic feet of wood that is ranked and well stowed (for example 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft). Terms like “face cord,” “rick,” or “truckload” are not standardized the same way. This guide uses the same math as the firewood cord calculator.
Sources: NIST / NCWM “Buying Firewood”; NIST Handbook 130 §2.4 (state adoptions, e.g. via CT DCP).
How to measure a stack
- Stack wood neatly, pieces parallel, as few gaps as practical.
- Measure length Ă— height Ă— depth in feet.
- Cubic feet Ă· 128 = cords (or a fraction of a cord).
- If you know the price paid for that stack: price Ă· cords = effective price per full cord.
NCWM advice: get a receipt with seller name, price, amount, and kind of wood; measure before burning; contact your state weights-and-measures office if the volume looks short.
Worked examples
Example B — half the depth, still sold as “a cord” for $150
Stack 8 × 4 × 2 ft = 64 cu ft = 0.50 cord. At $150 for the pile → $300 per full cord. That is why measuring matters when sellers use informal names.
Example C — slightly long stack at $280
10 × 4 × 4 ft = 160 cu ft = 1.25 cords → $280 ÷ 1.25 = $224 per full cord.
Re-run any example in the cord calculator (enter length, height, depth, and optional price).
Buying checklist
- Prefer sales by the cord or fraction of a cord—not “truckload” alone.
- Seasoned vs green affects burn quality; the calculator only checks volume, not moisture or heat output.
- Local burn rules and stove clearances still apply.
Open the firewood calculator · All guides
Educational estimates only — not professional advice. Confirm with a licensed contractor, your county health department, or a certified lab.